Yes, you can take NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) and NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) together, but it’s usually not necessary.
NMN is a precursor compound to NAD+, which means when you take NMN, your body will convert it into NAD naturally, helping to replenish your supply to help support energy metabolism and healthy aging.
The most popular form of NAD supplementation is through IV therapy or subcutaneous injections, which deliver NAD+ directly into the bloodstream for an instantaneous boost to the system. The biggest barrier to these methods is that they're quite costly, ranging from $200 to $ 900 per IV session or $200 for 10 doses in a vial.
Taking NMN and NAD+ at the same time won't harm most healthy people, but your body does have a limit to how much NAD+ it can use or store at one time. In most cases, NMN supplements alone are often enough to support NAD production if taken consistently.
Can You Take NMN and NAD+ Together?
Yes, you can take NAD and NMN together, but without worrying about significant consequences, as the body does a pretty good job of processing them, since they are naturally produced in the body. It's just that stacking these two compounds doesn't necessarily mean you'll see double the benefits.
The body tends to prioritize NMN conversion and uses NAD+ from supplements if the absorption is efficient. In healthy individuals, the added benefit of combining them isn't well established. However, many people claim that combining NMN and NAD is helpful in the short term for recovery from stress, jet lag, or illness.
Taking both may slightly increase available NAD+ for a short period, but because your cells regulate NAD+ tightly, any “extra” is often broken down or recycled.
You Probably Already Eat NAD and NMN — Just Not Enough to Make a Big Difference
If you eat a fairly healthy, balanced diet, you're probably eating foods that contain NAD building blocks like nicotinamide (vitamin B6), NMN, and NR (nicotinamide riboside).
For example, milk has tiny bits of NAD and nicotinamide riboside, and vegetables like broccoli, edamame, and cabbage contain vitamin B6. That being said, the amounts of NAD precursors in these foods are very low, not nearly enough to give your body the kind of NAD boost an oral liposomal supplement might provide.
Still, eating these foods offers other benefits too, like minerals, vitamins, fiber, and other nutrients that support your overall wellness.
Potential Side Effects and Interactions of Combining NMN and NAD+
NMN and NAD+ are found to be safe and well-tolerated compounds when taken in the typical doses found in over-the-counter supplements. Research hasn't shown any major risk when combining the two, but that doesn't mean that you're in the clear of experiencing adverse effects.
The most common side-effect reports of combining NMN and NAD+ are:
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Nasuea
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Headache
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Fatigue
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Bloating
Thankfully, these side effects are fairly mild and temporary. But if you're on medications or have a medical condition related to liver function, metabolic health, or immune health, it's a good idea to check in with your healthcare professional before taking high doses of NAD or combining it with NMN.
Most People Don't Need To Combine NMN and NAD+
Some people might combine NMN and NAD+ supplements for short-term boosts to recover from stress or jet lag, but for most healthy individuals, taking both at the same time isn't necessary and likely won't produce additional benefits.
Since NMN naturally converts into NAD+ in the body, many people find that sticking to one high-quality oral supplement, taken consistently, is more than enough to support their energy levels and offer benefits towards healthy aging.
If you're still curious about combining them, start with lower doses of each compound and observe how your body responds. For those with health conditions, please speak with your healthcare professional for more guidance.
