From the Guidelines
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) is a promising anti-aging supplement that boosts NAD+ levels in the body, which decline naturally with age, and may help improve insulin sensitivity, enhance mitochondrial function, support cardiovascular health, and potentially extend healthy lifespan. A typical supplementation regimen involves taking 250-1000mg of NMN daily, preferably in the morning with or without food, as suggested by recent studies 1. For those interested in its potential benefits, starting with a lower dose of 250mg daily for 1-2 months before gradually increasing is recommended. NMN works by serving as a direct precursor to NAD+, a critical coenzyme involved in hundreds of metabolic processes including DNA repair, energy production, and cellular stress response.
Key Benefits of NMN
- Improves insulin sensitivity
- Enhances mitochondrial function
- Supports cardiovascular health
- Potentially extends healthy lifespan
- May help prevent age-related diseases such as sarcopenia, as suggested by studies on NAD+ depletion and its effects on muscle tissue 1
Important Considerations
- Consult with a healthcare provider before starting NMN, especially for those with existing health conditions or taking medications, as it may interact with certain drugs like metformin or medications metabolized by the liver
- NMN supplements can be expensive, and their long-term effects in humans are still being studied
- Maintenance of cellular NAD+ levels is crucial for preventing age-related diseases, and NMN may be a useful supplement for achieving this goal, as supported by research on the importance of NAD+ in energy metabolism and cellular function 1
From the Research
Role of NMN in Anti-Aging and Health Improvement
- NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide) is a precursor of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), which declines with age and is associated with various age-related diseases 2, 3, 4.
- Supplementation of NMN has been shown to replenish intracellular NAD+ levels, mitigate aging- and obesity-associated derangements, and improve blood NAD concentration 2, 3.
- NMN supplementation has been found to be safe and well-tolerated in human clinical trials, with potential benefits for alleviating postprandial hyperinsulinemia, a risk factor for coronary artery disease 2.
Effects of NMN on Metabolic and Vascular Health
- NMN supplementation has been shown to improve metabolic parameters, such as insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, in animal models and human clinical trials 2, 4.
- NMN has been found to have cerebromicrovascular protective effects, improving neurovascular coupling responses and cognitive function in aged mice 4.
- The use of niacin, a related compound, has been shown to improve lipid parameters, reduce atherosclerosis progression, and exert beneficial pleiotropic effects independent of changes in lipid levels 5.
Personalized NMN Supplementation and Future Directions
- The optimal NMN dose remains unclear, and there is high interindividual variability in response to NMN supplementation 3.
- Monitoring NAD concentration can provide valuable insights for tailoring personalized dosage regimens and optimizing NMN utilization 3.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of NMN supplementation and its potential applications in anti-aging and health improvement 2, 3, 4.