So, what is a NAD supplement? The best place to start is to picture NAD+ production as a pathway with several entry points. NR (nicotinamide riboside) is a precursor your body converts to NMN and then to NAD+, which takes two steps. NMN sits just one step away from NAD+ and has its own dedicated transporter for getting into cells. And naturally, direct NAD+ skips conversion entirely, since it's already the finished molecule your cells use for energy, DNA repair, and cellular stress response.*
Most formulas pick one of these entry points and stop there. Combining direct NAD+ with NMN means your body gets support from two positions on the same pathway, which is a more complete approach than either ingredient can offer alone.*
NAD+ With NMN: Immediate Support Meets Long-Term Production
Pairing NAD+ with NMN works because the two ingredients do different jobs. Direct NAD+ delivers the finished molecule, so it supports your levels right away. NMN, on the other hand, enters cells through its dedicated transporter and replenishes your body's own NAD+ production over time.* One covers the present, and the other keeps the supply coming.
So why don't more brands include direct NAD+? The honest answer is that it's a tricky ingredient. NAD+ is a large, fragile molecule that tends to break down in the digestive tract before it reaches a cell, so most brands rely on precursors because they hold up better in standard capsules. Our advanced waterless liposomal system encapsulates NAD+ in a protective lipid layer that shields it through digestion, which is exactly what makes it possible to include direct NAD+ alongside NMN without sacrificing stability or potency.*
Why The NMN NAD Combination Needs A Third Piece
Here's the part most formulas skip. Converting NMN into NAD+ draws on your body's methyl groups, which are a limited resource. Without replenishment, that conversion cycle can become less efficient over time, so an NMN NAD combination is only as strong as the methylation support behind it.* That's why our formula includes two ingredients dedicated to keeping the cycle running:
- TMG (500mg): Trimethylglycine (TMG) restores the methyl groups that NMN conversion depends on, so NMN can do its job without compromise.*
- Vitamin B12 As Methylcobalamin (300mcg): This highly bioavailable form of B12 works as a direct cofactor in the methylation cycle alongside TMG, while also supporting everyday energy and mental clarity.*
We consider TMG one of the most important ingredients in the entire formula, precisely because so many NAD+ products leave it out.
What The Research Says About NMN
NMN has become one of the most studied NAD+ precursors, and the human research continues to grow. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, a clinically-studied dose of NMN significantly increased blood NAD+ levels in healthy adults aged 40 to 65 at both 30 and 60 days.† Our formula's 400mg dose of NMN falls within that studied range.
Safety research is encouraging, too. A study in healthy men found that single oral doses of NMN were well tolerated and raised blood levels of NMN-related metabolites without significant safety concerns (Irie et al., 2020).
What A Complete NAD Supplement Should Include
When you're comparing labels, a complete NAD supplement should give you more than two ingredient names. Here's what to look for before you buy:
- Direct NAD+ In A Protected Format: Because NAD+ breaks down so easily during digestion, the formula should explain how it's protected, such as through liposomal encapsulation.
- A Clinically-Studied Dose Of NMN: The NMN amount should fall within the range used in human research, rather than a token amount added for label appeal.
- Methylation Support: Ingredients like TMG and B12 help keep NMN conversion efficient, so their presence is a strong signal that the formula was designed around the full pathway.
- A Named, High-Quality Fat Source: Liposomal formulas need a fat source, and the best ones use nutrient-dense fats like avocado instead of cheap, processed oils.
- Transparent Doses And Third-Party Testing: Every active ingredient should be listed individually, with independent testing confirming safety.
Sunny Within's NAD+ checks every one of these boxes, pairing 50mg of direct NAD+ and 400mg of NMN with TMG and B12 in a waterless liposomal system made with organic coconut-derived MCT oil and avocado oil.†
Choosing The Best NMN And NAD Supplement For Your Routine
The best NMN and NAD supplement is the one built for what you're trying to accomplish. Our NAD+ formula was designed for people who have done their homework, maybe tried NR, NMN, or IV NAD+ before, and want a routine built around how NAD+ really works in the body. It replaces complicated capsule and powder stacks with one easy squeeze in a light, creamy Vanilla Berry flavor that you can take straight from the pouch or stir into a cold drink.
You might notice that some brands advertise 300mg of NAD+ or more. Dose on the label and dose your cells actually receive are two very different things, since a large amount that breaks down during digestion delivers far less than a smaller, protected one. Pairing protected NAD+ with NMN means you're supporting your levels directly while also supporting your body's ability to make more.* For the practical side of building it into your day, our guides on NAD dosage per day and the best time to take NAD+ are great next reads.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Clinical reference: Yi L, et al. GeroScience. 2022. Study conducted on NMN as a standalone ingredient.
Sources:
- Irie, J., Inagaki, E., Fujita, M., Nakaya, H., Mitsuishi, M., Yamaguchi, S., Yamashita, K., Shigaki, S., Ono, T., Yukioka, H., Okano, H., Nabeshima, Y. I., Imai, S. I., Yasui, M., Tsubota, K., & Itoh, H. (2020). Effect of oral administration of nicotinamide mononucleotide on clinical parameters and nicotinamide metabolite levels in healthy Japanese men. Endocrine journal, 67(2), 153–160. https://doi.org/10.1507/endocrj.EJ19-0313
- Yi, L., et al. (2022). The efficacy and safety of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation in healthy middle-aged adults: a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, dose-dependent clinical trial. GeroScience.
