NMN
Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a naturally occurring compound found in all living cells and derived from vitamin B3. It is a direct precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a coenzyme essential for energy production, DNA repair, and cellular function. By supporting NAD+ levels, NMN helps maintain metabolism, mitochondrial health, and overall cellular resilience. Because NAD+ naturally declines with age, NMN has gained attention for its potential role in healthy aging and longevity.
Is this used to correct a deficiency or achieve supramaximal levels?
Supramaximal
Is it taken for life span or health span?
Both
Is it targeting a specific disease? Or general health?
Improves insulin sensitivity, exercise stamina and general longevity
Any genetic involvement?
SIRT1, CD38, PARP genes are involved in NAD+ metabolism
Is there a biomarker to track its effects?
Blood and urine
MOA of supplement
NMN works mainly by serving as a direct precursor to NAD+, a vital molecule that fuels many cellular processes. Once inside cells, NMN is converted into NAD+, which supports energy production in mitochondria, helps repair damaged DNA, and activates proteins called sirtuins that regulate metabolism, stress resistance, and aging. By boosting NAD+ levels, NMN helps maintain healthy cell function, supports metabolic balance, and may protect against age-related decline.
Risk vs reward
+ May improve physical endurance and general health
+ May improve insulin mediated glucose metabolism
+ May slow aging via telomere length and gut microbiome
- No impact on sleep quality
Evidence for it?
This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial tested daily oral NMN supplementation (300, 600, 900 mg) for 60 days in healthy middle-aged adults. NMN significantly increased blood NAD levels in a dose-dependent way, improved physical endurance (six-minute walk), and maintained biological age compared to placebo. It was safe and well tolerated, with no serious side effects. General health scores also improved with NMN. The 600 mg dose showed the best balance of effectiveness and safety. More research is needed to confirm these findings over longer periods and larger groups. However, it can be argued that a healthy middle aged person should have no issue enduring a six minute walk, therefore results may not be applicable to other populations such as the elderly or chronically ill.
This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial tested daily oral NMN supplementation (250 mg) for 10 weeks in postmenopausal women with pre-diabetes who were overweight or obese. NMN significantly improved skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity and insulin signaling (increased insulin-stimulated AKT and mTOR phosphorylation) compared to placebo. It also upregulated genes related to muscle remodeling, including PDGFRβ and downstream pathways, indicating enhanced muscle regeneration. NMN treatment increased muscle NAD+ turnover but did not change overall NAD+ levels or affect liver, adipose tissue, or fasting glucose metabolism. The results demonstrate that NMN selectively improves muscle insulin-mediated glucose metabolism and remodeling, with clinically relevant benefits comparable to weight loss or insulin-sensitizing drugs. Further studies are needed to confirm these effects in broader populations and over longer durations.
This study tested short-term oral NMN supplementation (500 mg/L in drinking water for 40 days) in pre-aging mice (16 months) and middle-aged human volunteers (45–60 years). NMN did not affect body weight or food intake but significantly altered serum metabolites linked to nicotinamide, purine, and proline metabolism. It also reshaped gut microbiota, increasing beneficial species and reducing Akkermansia, changes associated with improved immune and vitamin metabolism. Most importantly, NMN significantly elongated telomere length in blood cells, a key marker of cellular aging and longevity. These findings suggest NMN may slow aging by remodeling the gut microbiome, improving metabolic pathways, and maintaining telomere health. More research is needed to confirm these effects in larger and longer-term human trials.
This lab study tested whether NAD+ precursors, nicotinamide riboside (NR) or nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) could protect HeLa cells (a cancer cell type) from DNA damage caused by cisplatin, a chemotherapy drug. Both NR and NMN improved cell survival, reduced DNA damage, boosted DNA repair, and restored NAD⁺ levels. NR showed slightly better protection, but overall, both compounds offered similar benefits in reducing cisplatin’s harmful effects.
Evidence against it?
This -in-human clinical trial tested the safety of single oral NMN doses (100, 250, 500 mg) in 10 healthy men. NMN was well tolerated with no adverse effects on vital signs, laboratory values, ophthalmic exams, or sleep quality. Plasma levels of NMN metabolites increased in a dose-dependent manner, confirming effective metabolism. A follow-up trial in older men (≥65 years) tested daily NMN (250 mg) for 6–12 weeks. NMN increased blood NAD+ metabolites in a dose-dependent manner but was not detectable in plasma, and no significant improvements were observed in sleep quality.
Best bioavailable form?
Powder or capsule sublingually
Advice on taking it?
First thing in the morning on an empty stomach