NMN
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide
Molecular Weight
334.22 g/mol
C11H15N2O8P
Bioavailability
High. Direct transport via the Slc12a8 transporter.
Delivery Methods
Sublingual, Liposomal, Oral Capsule, Oral Powder
Regulatory Status
Full profileFDA Review
Precursor Comparison Matrix — NR vs NMN vs NAD+
A side-by-side analysis of NAD+ precursors based on empirical data, molecular structure, and peer-reviewed pharmacokinetic studies. No product rankings or brand comparisons — just the chemistry and route constraints.
Molecular Weight
Bioavailability
Delivery Methods
Regulatory Status
Notable Research
NR
Nicotinamide Riboside
Molecular Weight
255.25 g/mol
C11H16N2O5
Bioavailability
Moderate. Rapidly degraded in the gut; converted to Nam.
Delivery Methods
Oral Capsule, Oral Powder
Regulatory Status
FDA GRAS
Notable ResearchTrammell SAJ et al. (2016) — Nicotinamide riboside is uniquely and orally bioavailable in mice and humans
Full profileNAD+
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Molecular Weight
663.43 g/mol
C21H27N7O14P2
Bioavailability
Very low orally. Direct administration can bypass gut degradation, but exposure is route-dependent.
Delivery Methods
Iv Drip, Subcutaneous, Intranasal
Regulatory Status
Restricted Access
Notable ResearchGrant R et al. (2019) — Bioavailability of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) in intravenous administration
Full profileFull comparison table
| Property | NMN | NR | NAD+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Molecular Weight | 334.22 g/mol C11H15N2O8P | 255.25 g/mol C11H16N2O5 | 663.43 g/mol C21H27N7O14P2 |
| Bioavailability | 85/100 High. Direct transport via the Slc12a8 transporter. | 65/100 Moderate. Rapidly degraded in the gut; converted to Nam. | 25/100 Very low orally. Direct administration can bypass gut degradation, but exposure is route-dependent. |
| Delivery Routes | Sublingual, Liposomal, Oral Capsule, Oral Powder | Oral Capsule, Oral Powder | Iv Drip, Subcutaneous, Intranasal |
| Regulatory Status | FDA Review Excluded from dietary supplement classification by the FDA in 2022 pending NDIN review. | FDA GRAS Generally Recognized As Safe; approved as a dietary ingredient (NDIN 822 in 2015). | Restricted Access Most often encountered via supervised infusion, clinician-directed compounded preparations, or research-use products rather than mainstream dietary supplements. Route and jurisdiction matter. |
| Studies | 2 notable Typical dose 250-500 mg/day | 2 notable Typical dose 300-600 mg/day | 1 notable Typical dose 250-1,000 mg IV drip over 2-4 hours; some compounded SC protocols use lower doses |
How to read this matrix
Bioavailability scores are relative — not absolute fractions. They reflect a synthesis of published pharmacokinetic data across the major routes of administration. Regulatory status reflects U.S. FDA framing for each route, including supplement, supervised, compounded, or research-use contexts; other jurisdictions may differ.
Frequently asked questions
- Is NR or NMN better for raising NAD+?
- Both reliably raise blood NAD+ at studied doses. NMN has a dedicated intestinal transporter (Slc12a8) and higher sublingual bioavailability, while NR has the longer human safety record and the most published placebo-controlled trials. Neither has been shown superior in head-to-head human data.
- What is NAD+ and why does it matter?
- NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in every living cell. It shuttles electrons in metabolic reactions (the NAD+/NADH redox pair), and it fuels three critical enzyme families: sirtuins (deacylases governing longevity), PARPs (DNA damage sensors), and CD38 (immune signaling).