What is Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) ?
What is NMN?
NMN stands for nicotinamide mononucleotide, which is a molecule that is found in all living things. When you look at NMN at the molecular level, it is a ribonucleotide, which is one of the building blocks of the nucleic acid RNA.
NMN is found in our bodies as well as certain foods such as milk and vegetables.
NMN is the direct precursor of the important molecule nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and is thought to be an important part of increasing NAD+ levels in cells.
What is NAD+?
NAD+ is a coenzyme that is necessary for life and cellular functions. Humans and all other life forms need NAD+ to be healthy and function normally. NMN is a precursor of NAD+ and becomes NAD+ through a series of chemical reactions in the body. Read more about NAD+ and why it’s important for every cell in your body.
It is a scientific fact that the amount of NAD+ in our bodies decreases as we age.
What does NMN do for the body?
Scientists such as Harvard University's Professor David Sinclair and Washington University's Professor Shin-Ichiro Imai have brought NMN to the public's attention by demonstrating in studies that it can significantly reduce various aging symptoms by boosting production of NAD+.
New research suggests that because NMN helps boost NAD+, it may help improve cellular health, metabolism, immune function, as well as reverse the negative effects of age and lifestyle.
The deterioration of cellular function is one the main causes of aging related symptoms, from loss of energy, weight gain, diminished immunity, even wrinkles, among many others.
What are the health benefits of NMN?
- Activates healthy aging genes called ‘Sirtuins’
- Improves mitochondrial function and increases energy levels
- Improves metabolism and stimulates weight loss
- Lowers triglyceride and cholesterol levels
- Improves bone density and muscle mass
Is NMN safe?
NMN supplements have no known side effects. NMN has been shown to benefit muscle, liver, immunity, heart, liver, and skin metabolism in rodents. During a 12-month rat study, no serious or toxic effects were observed. A study done on humans did not find any problems with single oral doses of 100, 250, and 500 mg NMN.
How can I increase my NMN naturally?
Foods high in vitamin B3 contain NMN. The best source of NMN is fresh fish like tuna, salmon, mackerel, and swordfish. Pork, chicken, turkey, fresh fruit, fortified grains, peas, and seeds also contain NMN.
Despite the abundance of NMN in food sources, the best way to ensure you get enough NMN is to take a supplement like IVITA ICARIA. NMN supplementation has been shown to be a safe way to significantly increase NAD+ levels.
How does NMN make you feel?
Although every person will have a different reaction, people who take NMN over the course of several months may notice mental improvements like feeling sharper or being better able to concentrate on daily tasks. Additionally, they may feel more energized and alert. Some people also report an improvement in sleep quality after taking NMN.
Does NMN speed up metabolism?
NMN boosts insulin's ability to promote sugar absorption and increases gene activity involved in muscle structure and remodeling, according to research from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Researchers tested the muscle's insulin sensitivity following NMN. Insulin is a hormone that promotes cellular sugar absorption.
They discovered that 10 weeks of NMN therapy in prediabetic women increased muscle glucose use by 25%. These data suggest that NMN improves muscle tissue sugar consumption, and therefore improves metabolism.
Does NMN help with wrinkles?
To date, there is no scientific data to prove this.
Does NMN help memory?
A recent study published in 2020, demonstrated that restoring cellular NAD+ levels in aged mice rescues neurovascular function, increases cerebral blood flow, and improves performance on cognitive tasks.
How much NMN should I take a day?
A recent study published in 2019 in Japan, conducted a single-arm non-randomized intervention by single oral administration of 100, 250, and 500 mg NMN. The oral administration of NMN was safe and effectively metabolized in healthy men without causing any significant negative effects. To this end, the oral administration of NMN was found to be achievable, implicating a potential therapeutic strategy to mitigate aging-related disorders in humans.
How long does it take for NMN to start working?
Effects of NMN benefits may vary person to person, everyone’s physiology is very unique. Think about NMN as a long term investment for your cells. Some users start noticing effects after 2 weeks, while others anecdotally report benefits after 2 months of constant use.
Is NMN the same as Vitamin B3?
Vitamins are like “families” that can include multiple forms of the same vitamin known as derivatives. Derivatives have different chemical structures and properties from one another. Some derivatives may be more stable, and some more active. The vitamin B3 family contains nicotinic acid and its derivatives such as niacinamide (also called nicotinamide), nicotinamide riboside (NR), and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). Each B3 derivative serves as a precursor to NAD+. The downside of Niacin is that in high dosages it usually causes flushing which may be very uncomfortable. To date, NR and NMN have been proven to be the most effective at increasing NAD+ levels.
Can I take niacin instead of NMN?
Yes, but the downside of Niacin is that a common side effect of taking high doses may cause flushing. Although harmless, this causes redness, warm and itchy skin, which may become uncomfortable. This is the top reason people stop taking Niacin. In addition, NMN has been proven to be more effective at increasing NAD+ levels.
What age should you start taking NMN?
There is no specific age limit that you need to adhere to when taking NMN supplements. NAD+ levels start to decline during middle age. If you feel your body has started showing signs of wear and tear, or if you want to mitigate the effects of aging beforehand, the choice is yours.
Can you take too much NMN?
To date NMN has been proven to be safe and effective even at high doses. A recent study published in 2019 in Japan, conducted a single-arm non-randomized intervention by single oral administration of 100, 250, and 500 mg NMN. The oral administration of NMN was safe and effectively metabolized in healthy men without causing any significant negative effects. To this end, the oral administration of NMN was found to be achievable, implicating a potential therapeutic strategy to mitigate aging-related disorders in humans.
What time of day is best to take NMN?
Users prefer to take NMN during the morning given it can give you a boost of energy.
Sources:
- The Science Behind NMN–A Stable, Reliable NAD+Activator
- NMN for Longevity: What Doctors Know So Far
- Recent research into nicotinamide mononucleotide and aging
- Long-Term Administration of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Mitigates Age-Associated Physiological Decline in Mice
- Intermediates: The Biology and Therapeutic Potential of NMN and NR
- Metabolic Benefits of NMN Shown for First Time in Humans