USE OF NICOTINIC ACID RIBOSIDE OR NICOTINAMIDE RIBOSIDE DERIVATIVES, AND REDUCED DERIVATIVES THEREOF, AS NAD+ INCREASING PRECURSORS

Compositions are provided including nicotinic acid riboside ("NAR"), and derivatives thereof including 1-(2′,3′,5′-triacetyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-nicotinic acid ("NAR triacetate" or "NARTA"); or derivatives of a reduced form of nicotinic acid riboside ("NARH"), including 1-(2′,3′,5′-triacetyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-1,4-dihydronicotinic acid ("NARH triacetate" or "NARH-TA"); or derivatives of nicotinamide riboside ("NR"), including 1-(2′,3′,5′-triacetyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-nicotinamide ("NR triacetate" or "NRTA"); derivatives of a reduced form of nicotinamide riboside ("NRH"), including 1-(2′,3′,5′-triacetyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-1,4-dihydronicotinamide ("NRH triacetate" or "NRH-TA"); or salts or prodrugs thereof, for use in food or beverage applications, pharmaceutical formulations, or as a dietary supplement. Methods of using the compounds above to promote the increase of intracellular levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide ("NAD+") or NADH in cells and tissues for improving cell and tissue survival or overall cell and tissue health are provided.