NMN(β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide)

Description

Introduction to NMN and NMN Supplements

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a naturally occurring molecule that plays a vital role in cellular energy production, DNA repair, and other essential metabolic processes. NMN supplements have recently gained popularity for their potential health and longevity benefits. This article explores a wide range of topics, from what is NMN, what are the benefits of NMN supplements, what makes for the best NMN supplement, how to take NMN, and why some individuals have stopped taking supplements, and potential side effects.

What is NMN?

NMN has received a lot of attention over the last few years, with work from scientists such as professor David Sinclair of Harvard University and Professor Shin-Ichiro Imai of Washington University, who have shown in studies that NMN could substantially reduce various symptoms of aging (note: neither professor is affiliated with NOVOS).

NMN is a molecule that occurs naturally in our body and in specific foods like milk and vegetables. However, as we age, levels of NMN decline.

NMN serves as a precursor to another molecule known as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), which is a crucial coenzyme that plays a vital role in various cellular processes. As we age, our bodies’ NAD+ levels naturally decline, leading to age-related health issues.

For example, NAD+ is an important molecule that enzymes like sirtuins need in order to repair DNA, maintain the epigenome, and prevent other forms of cellular damage.

NMN supplements can help increase NAD+ levels in the body, potentially offering various health and longevity benefits (R).

Learn about the best supplements, diets, and other interventions to slow down aging and live longer and healthier.

NMN Benefits For Health & Longevity

Low levels of NAD+ contribute to aging and various aging-related symptoms, including metabolic problems, poor energy, cardiovascular dysfunction, sleep issues, cognitive decline, and many others.

Increasing levels of NAD+ has been shown to restore or slow down various aging-related symptoms and diseases. As a direct precursor, NMN has been shown to be able to increase levels of NAD+ in not only animal studies, but human studies as well.

Scientific studies have shown that NMN can improve many symptoms of aging in various organisms. NMN seems to improve healthy aging by:

Improving DNA repair
Improving the epigenome
Improving heart health
Increasing skin elasticity
Boosting muscle function
Improving metabolism
Improving aging-related infertility
NMN Supplement Benefits

Promoting Healthy Aging and Longevity

At a general level, taking an NMN supplement may be capable of slowing down the aging process and promoting longevity by maintaining higher NAD+ levels for longer.

Boosting Cellular Energy

One of the primary NMN benefits is its ability to increase cellular energy production by raising NAD+ levels (R). This increase in energy can lead to improved exercise performance, endurance, and overall vitality.

Studies show that orally administered NMN increases stamina and endurance in old mice, by up to 80% (R,R).

Cardiovascular Health

Emerging research indicates that NMN supplement benefits may include supporting cardiovascular health by improving blood flow and reducing inflammation (R).

Immune System Support

NMN supplementation has been shown to enhance immune system function, potentially helping the body combat infections and maintain overall health (R).

Supporting Cognitive Function

Research suggests that an additional benefit from NMN supplements may be enhancements to cognitive function and protection against age-related cognitive decline (R, R).

Many users of NMN experience improvements in cognitive function, making them feel sharper or better able to concentrate.

NMN studies have shown beneficial effects on brain function, like improving cognition and blood flow in the brains of mice (R).

Blood flow in the brain is restored in elderly mice taking NMN (green bar) to similar levels as young mice (blue bar). Red are aged mice without NMN.
Source: Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation rescues cerebromicrovascular endothelial function and neurovascular coupling responses and improves cognitive function in aged mice. Redox Biology, 2019

The working memory in old mice that received NMN (green) is like that one of young mice (blue). Aged mice without NMN make more errors (red).
Source: Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation rescues cerebromicrovascular endothelial function and neurovascular coupling responses and improves cognitive function in aged mice. Redox Biology, 2019
NMN & Female Fertility

Female mice that received NMN restored the quality of their egg cells, improved ovulation rate, the quality of their blastocysts (the small clumps of cells from which the embryo is formed), and most importantly, increased life births and litter size.