Nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) are important compounds for healthy aging. Tru Niagen, a leading brand offering NR products, is notable for its patented formula.
But how does it compare to some of the leading NMN supplements?
Tru Niagen vs. NMN Supplements
Tru Niagen doesn't use NMN isolate powder in its products. Instead, it has a patented NR called NIAGEN® NR, one of the most broadly studied forms of nicotinamide riboside available.
This NR is sourced from nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3 (niacin), and is manufactured through a proprietary process for purity, stability, and better absorption.
NIAGEN® NR is essentially nicotinamide riboside chloride.
The key difference between nicotinamide riboside chloride and typical nicotinamide riboside lies in its stability and formulation.
NR chloride is the salt form of NR, which is believed to make it more stable and easier to handle in supplement production.
One of the reasons Tru Niagen has become such a household name in the cellular health supplement space is that ChromaDex, a global bioscience company with a solid scientific foundation, owns the company. As such, the brand invested heavily in the research behind its products' efficacy, which can also mean that it has a higher price point than other NAD+ supplements. According to Tru Niagen, its products "may increase NAD+ by over 50% (300mg) and up to 150% (1,000mg) in most individuals" [1].
NMN and NR supplements aim to raise NAD+ levels in the body, but their pathways differ slightly.
NMN, also derived from B3, is a more direct precursor to NAD+ because it can be converted into NAD+ with one step. However, its larger molecular size may require more help getting into the cells, making its stability and absorption debatable.
NR, on the other hand, must convert into NMN before it can become NAD+.
The argument for NMN supplements is that they require fewer steps to convert into NAD+, leading some researchers to speculate that they may be more efficient at boosting NAD+ levels with a growing body of research [2].
NMN products hit a roadblock in 2021 when the FDA reclassified NMN, potentially removing it from the dietary supplement market. This all started when a pharmaceutical company moved to patent NMN as an anti-aging drug, prompting the FDA to reconsider its status. The FDA doesn't typically allow ingredients to be sold as both supplements and medicines.
This shift has caused delays in NMN’s regulatory approval, with many companies pushing the FDA to reconsider its classification. Although NMN is available online through certain retailers if you know where to look, as the final decision hasn't been made yet. Many are hoping the FDA will expedite the decision-making process to allow NMN to remain accessible, as it still is a promising option for supporting NAD+ levels.
Tru Niagen Supplement Comparisons
We wanted to stack Tru Niagen's original NAD+ booster supplement formula, "Tru Niagen® 300mg," to some of its top competitors to analyze how its active ingredients, purity, and dosage compare.
Tru Niagen® 300 mg
Tru Niagen® 300 mg is available on the Tru Niagen website and Amazon, making it easy to shop for. This product comes in various bottle sizes, including 30, 90, 120, and 180 capsules, offering flexibility for different usage levels. The 30-capsule bottle starts at $40.
Each vegetarian capsule contains 300 mg of Niagen® (nicotinamide riboside chloride). Depending on your individual goals, 1-3 capsules are recommended daily.
The brand has a strong reputation for quality and safety, with third-party lab tests available.
Elysium Basis
Elysium is a top rival for Tru Niagen. Its leading NAD+ supplement, Basis, is available on its website and Amazon for $60, containing 60 capsules.
There are two key distinctions. Elysium Basis has a patent-pending form of NR called "NR-E" crystalline nicotinamide riboside. This form is designed to enhance the compound's stability and bioavailability, though you'll need two capsules to reach about the same NR dose as Tru Niagen's 300 mg.
This formula also contains 50 mg of pterostilbene per serving, a compound similar to resveratrol known for its antioxidant potential. This adds another layer of benefits to support cellular function and lifestyle stress management.
Pure Encapsulations NR Longevity™
Pure Encapsulations is known for its high-quality, hypoallergenic supplements backed by science.
Their NR Longevity™ features NIAGEN® NR with 300 mg per serving (two capsules).
It also includes broccoli sprout concentrate, rich in sulforaphane, to support antioxidant defenses, and trans-resveratrol, known for its cardiovascular and longevity benefits. Available in 60 capsules (30 servings) for $59.90, this product can be found on Amazon and the Pure Encapsulations website for convenient access to NAD+ support.
Based on these three options, Tru Niagen has the most straightforward and affordable option, with 300 mg of Niagen per capsule, backed by its solid reputation for research. But Elysium and Pure Encapsulation options also bring some unique formulations to the table. The best choice depends on whether you prioritize simplicity, added ingredients, or innovative NR formulations.
Are Tru Niagen Products Patented?
ChromaDex, the company behind the Tru Niagen brand, patents Tru Niagen’s NR (Niagen).
Several U.S. and international patents protect the Niagen NR ingredient and secure its proprietary manufacturing process. ChromaDex has invested in numerous clinical trials to back the efficacy of its product, leading to an FDA safety review under the GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status.
While NMN products are not patented similarly, some companies offer high-quality NMN supplements. The lack of a patent doesn’t necessarily mean that other supplements are less effective.
Resources:
- Conze, D., Brenner, C., & Kruger, C. L. (2019). Safety and metabolism of long-term administration of NIAGEN (nicotinamide riboside chloride) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of healthy overweight adults. Scientific reports, 9(1), 9772.
- Shade, C. (2020). The science behind NMN–A stable, reliable NAD+ activator and anti-aging molecule. Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal, 19(1), 12.
