Nicotinamide mononucleotide, or NMN, is a molecule that contributes to the formation of the coenzyme NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), which is essential for cellular energy metabolism.
Notably, the possible anti-aging and health advantages of NMN supplements have attracted attention. Although research is still early, preliminary investigations point to several possible advantages. However, it’s crucial to remember that additional study is required to comprehend the effects of NMN supplementation completely.
What is nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)?
What exactly is NMN? Niacinamide mononucleotide (NMN), a precursor for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), is currently being studied as a supplement to combat various aging-related changes. So far, there aren’t any adverse NMN side effects that have been linked to people.
Notably, age-related disorders were added as a disease state in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) ICD codes (International Classification of Disorders) 11th edition in 2018. The classification of aging as a disease opened the door to studying various problems linked to increasing NAD+ in mammalian cells and the potential benefits of decreasing aging.
Benefits
- It Can Improve Muscle Function
Our skeletal muscles are necessary for strength, stability, and mobility. Sarcopenia, a condition characterized by a deterioration in muscular size and strength as we age, results from our muscles’ loss of the capacity to repair and expand. We lose physical stamina and experience muscle weakening at the same time. Given that one of its transporters has been shown to boost physical strength and stamina in mice, NMN appears to reverse these problems. Additionally, it may boost middle-aged runners’ exercise endurance, oxygen consumption, and older men’s muscle strength and performance.
- It May Improve Fertility
An immature egg cell, an oocyte, eventually matures into a mother egg. Oocyte quality declines with age in the female body. Research has shown that NMN may increase the quantity and quality of maternal eggs and fertilizes them in mice, improving fertility. The results suggest a possible strategy for increasing women’s ability to procreate in their postpartum years.
Significantly, there have only been a few pre-clinical and clinical studies on the side effects of NMNs thus far. More study on NMN administration in humans is required to learn whether NMN consumption has any negative side effects.
- It May Aid in Cancer Therapy
Immunotherapies are one of the newest and most promising cancer treatments. These treatments inhibit the growth of tumors by using immune cells. Despite the limitations of immunotherapies, it has been demonstrated in rats that NMN can improve the tumor-killing potential of several types, including CAR-T cell therapy, PD-1 mediated therapy, and natural killer cell therapy.
While immunotherapies may soon replace chemotherapy as a cancer treatment option, chemotherapies are still frequently utilized today despite having numerous negative side effects. These undesirable side effects, like heart tissue deterioration and cognitive deficits in rats, have been demonstrated to be lessened by NMN.
- It Could Enhance Maintenance of DNA Repair
Although our DNA codes for our cells’ components, it sustains more damage as we age. Age-related diseases can be avoided by repairing DNA damage. Sirtuins, which are frequently referred to as the keepers of our healthspan, are powered by NAD+. Sirtuins are essential for DNA repair.
Additionally, the DNA telomeres at the ends of our chromosomes shorten with each cell division. This telomere shortening eventually starts to harm our genes and cells. Sirtuins impede this process by keeping the telomere length constant.
Notably, since sirtuins depend on NAD+ to operate, efforts have been made to increase sirtuin activity by increasing NAD+ levels. Similarly, research has shown that feeding mice NMN may activate sirtuins. In mice, NMN also restores DNA damage brought on by aging and radiation exposure. Furthermore, NMN lengthens telomeres in both mice and people.
- It May Prevent Heart Failure
Heart failure and mitochondrial dysfunction are related. To stop heart failure, mitochondrial health must be improved or restored. Short-term therapy of NMN may have been found to successfully protect mutant mice against heart failure by preserving mitochondrial ultrastructure and preventing heart cell death. According to the findings, NMN administration can be a viable treatment for heart disorders.
- It Could Treat Eye Aging and Injury
Macular degeneration is an age-related condition resulting in degeneration of the retina’s clear-vision-enabling area. Therefore, more severe macular degeneration can result in blindness. In mice, macular degeneration-related mitochondrial dysfunction has been demonstrated to be repaired by NMN.
Our eyes grow dry and irritated as we age. NMN has decreased inflammation and stimulated oil secretion in mice with dry eyes. NMN has also been demonstrated to lessen wound size and cell death following eye injury.
- It May Promote Organ Health
NMN has been demonstrated to renew bone stem cells and increase bone production in rodents, in addition to slowing down components of the aging brain, vasculature, muscle, heart, metabolism, and eye. Additionally, it prevents age-related renal decline, delays the development of liver fibrosis in rodents, and delays intestine aging. As a result, NMN also delays several elements of bone, gut, kidney, and liver aging.
- It Could Restore Blood Vessel Health
Each of our cells receives essential nutrients from our blood arteries. Our blood vessels stiffen and grow more prone to obstruction as we age, which might result in heart attack or stroke. In mice, NMN has been demonstrated to restore blood vessel flexibility, reversing vascular aging. Senescent cells, or cells with growth arrest that build up with age, play a role in the vascular system’s aging as well as the aging of many other organ systems.
By decreasing senescent cells in mice, NMN prevents blood vessel aging and lowers blood pressure. Senescent cells promote inflammation, the root cause of almost every age-related disease, which is one of the ways they contribute to aging. NMN has been demonstrated to reverse blood vessel malfunction by decreasing blood vessel inflammation in mice.
Side Effects
Although NMN supplements provide potential advantages, it’s necessary to consider any risks and restrictions. Possible negative effects include:
- Gastrointestinal Issues
When taking NMN supplements, some people may experience gastrointestinal discomfort such as stomach cramps, nausea, or diarrhea.
- Drug Interactions
Blood thinners or drugs for diabetes may interact negatively with NMN. Speaking with your doctor before beginning NMN supplements if you’re on any drugs is crucial.
- Allergic Reactions
Rarely people may experience allergic reactions to NMN supplementation. It’s crucial to stop using and get medical help if you have symptoms like redness, irritation, or swelling.
Bottomline
Numerous people, including professionals, contend that consuming NMN supplements may have several positive health effects. Although there is some evidence that the supplement can reverse several age-related health problems in animals, this is not yet the case in humans.
Early research suggests using NMN supplements at levels up to 1,200 mg daily may provide health advantages for fatigue, aerobic function, and insulin sensitivity with little risk of adverse side effects.
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Speaking with a healthcare practitioner about your condition and the possible hazards and advantages you should weigh before including any supplements in your diet is crucial.