Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) benefits, side effects, and dose

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) : Benefits, side effects, and dose

Thanks to advances in modern medicine and public health, the world's population is living longer. The number of people over the age of 80 will triple over the next 30 years, according to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) 's world Population Outlook 2019.

However, a long life does not guarantee a healthy life. As we grow older, our bodies become weaker and weaker, making us more vulnerable to diseases. Now scientists are studying molecules with anti-aging potential to help us not only live longer, but also live healthier lives.

In all of our cells, we make an important molecule called nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, also known as NAD+. Our cells use NAD+ for a variety of purposes, the most important of which is to generate the energy the cell needs and activate proteins that repair damaged DNA. The number of such molecules decreases with age.

Scientists believe that a decline in NAD+ with age is the basis for many health-related problems. If we can stop this loss, the thinking goes, we might live longer and stay healthy.

One way we maintain healthy levels of NAD+ is by supplementing our bodies with its precursor, nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). All cellular compounds are made in a manner similar to a factory assembly line, in which each component is a precursor to the next. In order to produce more NAD+, we need more precursors like NMN.

Potential benefits of NMN

Once inside an animal's cells, NMN produces NAD+, which provides the cells with the energy they need and is thought to be key to healthy aging. NAD+ also plays a key role in activating proteins that maintain DNA integrity. Given its central role in many cellular processes, the potential benefits of NMN extend to almost all body systems. Here are some of the more famous examples.

Vascular aging

We rely on skeletal muscle movement, stability, and strength. To remain strong and in good condition, these muscles must consume large amounts of key energy molecules, such as glucose and fatty acids. Our muscles need stable metabolites.

Studies in mice have shown that NMN prevents many of the health declines associated with aging, such as hardening of blood vessels, oxidative stress, our cells' ability to keep dividing, and even changes in our level of gene activity, which scientists call gene expression.

Muscular endurance and strength

The study showed that mice fed NMN for a long time had better energy metabolism without significant side effects. As we get older, the health of our muscles becomes more important and our own supply of NAD+ decreases.

Reduce the risk of heart disease

At least your skeletal muscles can take a break. Not only can your heart not rest, it can't even slow it down without causing serious problems. Therefore, the energy requirements of the heart are huge. To keep it going, it needs to do everything it can. This is why cardiomyocytes need a steady supply of NMN.

Reduce the risk of obesity

Obesity is associated with a range of unhealthy conditions that are very difficult to treat. There are no easy treatments for obesity and related conditions, such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Although lifestyle adjustments such as continuous exercise and a healthy diet are the most important, every bit helps.

In mouse studies, NMN has shown an effect that mimics calorie restriction (CR). Although CR has been shown to have many benefits for aging and health, it is a very difficult system to maintain in the long run. Mimicking its benefits without sticking to such an extreme diet would undoubtedly be beneficial.

Maintenance of DNA repair

NAD+, produced by NMN, activates a group of proteins called sirtuins. Sirtuins are sometimes seen as guardians of our health, playing a key role in maintaining DNA integrity. Our chromosomes divide at each of the small ends. At some point, it starts to damage our genes. Sirtuins slow this process by stabilizing telomeres. To be useful, however, Sirtuins rely on NAD+. Recent studies have shown that feeding mice NMN activates sirtuins and produces more stable telomeres.

Improve mitochondrial function

Simply put, we cannot live without them. These unique cellular structures are called the power chambers of the cell. They convert the molecules in the food we eat into the energy our cells use. NAD+ is at the heart of this process. In fact, mitochondrial abnormalities caused by NAD+ deletion may even affect neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Studies in mice have shown that NMN supplementation can save some mitochondrial dysfunction.

Recommended human dose

Animal studies have shown that increasing LEVELS of NAD+ can reverse a variety of age-related diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and neurodegeneration. Adding this molecule can even prolong the lives of yeast, worms and mice. The NAD+ enhancing properties of NMN in animals and its health-promoting properties have led scientists to believe in the therapeutic potential of the molecule. Now, scientists are starting clinical trials to find out if NMN is safe, how much we should take it, and what it does to our bodies.

An international team of researchers conducted the first human clinical study of NMN in Japan to study the safety of the molecule. Despite the small size of the phase I clinical trial, the study suggests that oral doses of up to 500mg of NMN are safe in humans, suggesting a potential treatment strategy. The findings are published in the November 2019 issue of the journal Endocrinology.

The safety of NMN has been confirmed in a series of clinical trials conducted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Other clinical trials registered with the World Health Organization (WHO) are also testing the safety and effectiveness of NMN. In the us, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine are conducting a clinical trial to test the effects of NMN on cardiovascular and metabolic health at doses of 250mg per day. A separate clinical study at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston is also testing the supplement's effects on humans and whether it has any side effects.

Although more research is needed to determine the effective dose in humans, clinical trials of other NAD promoters have shown that one gram of oral supplement per day can stimulate NAD+ metabolism in healthy middle-aged and elderly people.

With clinical studies still under way, some scientists are confident enough about the benefits of NAD+ for aging that they have started taking supplements themselves.

David Sinclair, a Professor at Harvard University who studies aging, talks about taking NMN to stay healthy and prevent aging on the Joe Logan Experience podcast. Sinclair takes one gram of NMN a day, as well as other supplements, including resveratrol, metformin and aspirin. When asked if the supplements are bad, Sinclair said that so far, he has not experienced anything other than a stomach upset, and that for him, "anything is better than what's coming" -- aging.

Safety and side effects of NMN supplementation

Currently, no side effects of nicotinamide mononucleotides have been found in humans. Researchers have studied NMN extensively in rodents and found that IT has positive effects on metabolism, brain function, liver, skin, muscle, bone structure, heart health, reproduction, immunity and longevity. Long-term mouse studies also showed no toxicity, severe side effects, or increased mortality during the 12-month intervention period.

A separate study of human NMN showed no safety concerns after a single oral dose of 100, 250, and 500 mg of NMN. After a single oral dose of NMN for five hours, the scientists found no changes in heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen levels or body temperature. Laboratory analysis of the blood showed no significant changes, except that the levels of the four molecules in the blood were within the normal range. The study also measured sleep quality and found no significant difference before and after taking NMN.

David Sinclair, a Professor at Harvard University who studies aging, talks about taking NMN to stay healthy and prevent aging on the Joe Logan Experience podcast. Sinclair takes one gram of NMN a day, as well as other supplements, including resveratrol, metformin and aspirin. When asked if the supplements are bad, Sinclair said that so far, he has not experienced anything other than a stomach upset, and that for him, "anything is better than what's coming" -- aging.