Walk through any longevity retailer and you will see NAD+, NMN and NR used as though they were synonyms. They are not.
NAD+
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide — the coenzyme itself. This is the molecule cells actually use.
NMN
Nicotinamide mononucleotide — a precursor. It is a smaller molecule that the body can convert into NAD through a metabolic pathway.
NR
Nicotinamide riboside — also a precursor, converting to NAD by a slightly different route.
Why the distinction matters
Three reasons. First, chemistry: these are structurally different compounds with different molecular weights, so a milligram of one is not equivalent to a milligram of another. Second, evidence: research on one does not automatically transfer to the others. Third, regulation: their status differs between markets, and in Great Britain the position is not identical across all three.
What to do about it
Check which compound a product actually contains before comparing prices or doses. If a label or product page will not tell you plainly, treat that as information in itself.
Our sublingual spray contains direct NAD+. We say so on the page, and we do not describe it as NMN or NR.
