Updated November 2026. Sources, UK label wording and Verve label facts checked on 5 November 2026. Verve makes an NMN supplement, covered near the end.
NAD+ is nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme found in all living cells. It takes part in the oxidation and reduction reactions cells use to release energy from food. NAD+ is the oxidised form and NADH the reduced form of the same molecule. Your body makes it from niacin (vitamin B3), from two related molecules, nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), and from the amino acid tryptophan. Most of the UK "NAD+ supplements" we read contain a precursor, usually NMN or NR; a few contain NAD+ itself. Niacin has a nutrient reference value (16mg) and authorised health claims. NMN, NR and NAD+ have neither, so their labels state the compound and the dose, and nothing about effects.
The short answer
- NAD+ is a coenzyme in every living cell. It carries electrons in the reactions that release energy from food.
- NAD+ and NADH are two states of one molecule. NAD+ is oxidised. NADH is reduced, after taking on two electrons and a proton.
- Five precursors: nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, NR, NMN and tryptophan.
- Only niacin has an NRV (16mg) and authorised claims. NMN, NR and NAD+ have neither.
- Read the label for: the compound, mg per serving, servings, and the certificate of analysis.
- From Verve: Verve NMN 1000mg, 1000mg of NMN per two capsules, nothing else in the capsule, every batch independently lab-tested for purity, with the certificate for your batch on request, and made in the UK.
What NAD+ is, and how NADH differs
The chemical database ChEBI defines NAD+ as "the oxidised form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide found in all living cells". It carries a single positive charge, which is what the plus sign shows. The OpenStax textbook Biology 2e says NAD+ "can accept electrons from an organic molecule", is "extensively used in energy extraction from sugars" and "is derived from vitamin B3, niacin". On the two forms: "NAD+ is the oxidized form of the molecule; NADH is the reduced form of the molecule after it has accepted two electrons and a proton". A cell moves it back and forth: NAD+ takes electrons from food and becomes NADH, then hands them on and becomes NAD+ again. This guide describes the molecule and the label, not effects.
Where NAD+ comes from: the five precursors
A 2020 review by Hong and colleagues in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology sets out three routes: the de novo pathway from tryptophan, the Preiss-Handler pathway from nicotinic acid, and the salvage pathway from nicotinamide, NR and NMN.
| Precursor | What it is and where it occurs | Route to NAD+ (enzymes named in the review) |
|---|---|---|
| Nicotinic acid | A form of niacin (vitamin B3). NHS sources of niacin: meat, fish, wheat flour, eggs. | Preiss-Handler pathway, starting with NAPRT. |
| Nicotinamide | The other form of niacin. Formula C6H6N2O (NIST). | Salvage: to NMN by NAMPT, then to NAD+ by NMNAT. |
| Nicotinamide riboside (NR) | Nicotinamide joined to a ribose sugar; sold as the chloride salt. | Salvage: to NMN by NRK1 or NRK2, then to NAD+ by NMNAT. |
| Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) | NR with a phosphate group added. Formula C11H15N2O8P (ChEBI). Reported in edamame, broccoli and raw beef at under 2mg per 100g. | Salvage: to NAD+ by NMNAT1, 2 or 3. |
| Tryptophan | An amino acid. | De novo pathway: eight steps, starting with IDO. |
Niacin has an NRV and claims. NMN and NR do not
Annex XIII of retained Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 gives niacin a nutrient reference value of 16mg. The NHS says adults need about 16.5mg a day (men) and 13.2mg (women). Niacin has six authorised health claims in the GB nutrition and health claims register, worded exactly:
- Niacin contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism
- Niacin contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system
- Niacin contributes to normal psychological function
- Niacin contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes
- Niacin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin
- Niacin contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue
Each may be used only for a food that is at least a source of niacin: 15% of the NRV (2.4mg) per 100g or per single portion. On a label it reads, for example, "Niacin [as Nicotinamide] 16mg 100% NRV" (Verve's Transparent Greens V80), a level at which the claims above may be used.
NMN, NR and NAD+ are not among the 13 vitamins and 14 minerals in Annex XIII, so they have no NRV. None appears in the annex to retained Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, which holds the authorised claims. Their labels state the compound, the mg and the servings; the NRV column reads "-" or "not established".
What "NAD+ supplement" means on a UK label
Of eleven UK products we read, nine contained a precursor and two contained NAD+ itself.
- NMN. The eight products in our NMN comparison state 500mg or 1000mg per serving, written as "nicotinamide mononucleotide", "NMN" or "B-nicotinamide mononucleotide" (the beta form).
- NR. Usually "nicotinamide riboside chloride". The UK Tru Niagen page states 300mg of it per capsule. A chloride is a salt and weighs more than the base molecule, so check whether the mg is for the salt or for NR alone.
- NAD+ itself. Charava's label states "500mg Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide" per capsule. Healthspan's NAD+ capsules state 300mg per capsule, with 3mg of pantothenic acid (50% NRV) and 1.25μg of vitamin B12 (50% NRV). Any authorised claim on that pack can only be about those vitamins, not NAD+.
How to read the label
- Per capsule or per serving. A "500" on the front can mean 500mg in one capsule or across two. Sixty capsules is 30 servings at two a day or 60 at one a day.
- Purity. Five of the eight NMN products state a figure, between 99% and 99.8%. Two state none.
- Certificate of analysis. Linked, emailed after shipping, or on request? Only one of the eight NMN brands linked one on its page.
- Storage. Two NMN brands said fridge, three said a cool, dry place, three said nothing. Follow your pack.
- Units. These compounds are in mg, vitamins often in μg: see what ug means and what NRV means.
How to read a certificate of analysis
A certificate of analysis is a laboratory document for one batch. The one we read for a finished NMN capsule product listed a lot number and dates, then the assay by HPLC (label claim 250mg per two capsules, result 254.67mg); microbiological counts (total bacteria, mould and yeast, E. coli and Salmonella); and heavy metals by ICP-MS (lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium), each with a limit and a result. Check that the batch number matches your pack, the laboratory is named and the purity is a figure. A certificate for raw powder is not one for finished capsules.
Who should check with a doctor first
Verve's NMN page wording applies across this group: not suitable for children, keep out of reach of children, and consult your doctor before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.
Verve NMN 1000mg Capsules
The label table has one line: "Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) 1000mg" per serving, NRV "-", with the footnote "NRV% not established unless stated". A serving is two capsules, once a day with water, ideally before midday. The pack holds 60 capsules, so 30 servings. Plant cellulose shell, nothing else in the capsule. Every batch is independently tested for purity, and the certificate of analysis for your batch, which carries the purity figure, is available on request from hello@vavaverve.com. The page states that no authorised health claims exist for NMN in the UK and that Verve makes none. Full details are on the Verve NMN 1000mg Capsules page; see also our NMN comparison.
Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily intake.
NAD+: your questions
Is NAD+ the same as NMN?
No. NMN is nicotinamide mononucleotide, one of the molecules a cell converts into NAD+. An NMN label states NMN in mg, not NAD+.
What is the difference between NAD+ and NADH?
One molecule in two states. NAD+ is the oxidised form. NADH is the reduced form, after accepting two electrons and a proton.
Is NAD+ a vitamin?
No. NAD+ is a coenzyme your cells make. Niacin (vitamin B3) is the vitamin it is made from, and the one with an NRV (16mg) and authorised claims. NAD+, NMN and NR have neither.
What does an NAD+ supplement contain?
Usually a precursor. Of eleven UK products we read, eight contained NMN (500mg or 1000mg per serving), one NR chloride (300mg per capsule) and two NAD+ itself (300mg or 500mg per capsule).
How is NAD+ written on a label?
As "NAD+", "NAD" or "nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide". The plus marks the oxidised, positively charged form. If the label says NMN or nicotinamide riboside, the product is a precursor, not NAD+.
How we checked
Chemistry: ChEBI entries CHEBI:15846 (NAD+) and CHEBI:16171 (NMN); OpenStax Biology 2e; Hong and colleagues, Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology 2020, doi 10.3389/fcell.2020.00246; the NIST Chemistry WebBook for nicotinamide. UK figures: the NHS vitamin B page (last reviewed 3 August 2020); Annex XIII of retained Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 and the annex to retained Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 on legislation.gov.uk; the GB nutrition and health claims register on gov.uk (updated 19 May 2026). Label facts only: charava.co.uk, healthspan.co.uk, truniagen.co.uk, the eight products in our NMN comparison, and one published certificate of analysis for a finished NMN capsule product (Double Wood, a US brand, lot 2331202, tested January 2024). Verve figures: vavaverve.com label tables. All checked on 5 November 2026. Verve makes NMN and V80.
