What is NMN?

If you’ve been hearing more and more about NMN, you’re not the only one. Over the past few years, information about NMN and the products that contain it has exploded on the internet. NMN seems to be everywhere, from YouTube videos to TikTok shorts to Podcasts to different blogs and research articles. And now you want to know what NMN is. So keep reading, because this article tells you everything you need to know about it.

What is NMN?

NMN, which stands for “Nicotinamide mononucleotide”, is a molecule that occurs naturally in the body. NMN is a derivative of vitamin B3 — also known as niacin. As the name suggests, NMN is a nucleotide (a building block of DNA) made from nicotinamide, ribose (simple sugar), and a phosphate group. It is needed to make Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), an important coenzyme found in all body cells and required for many functions, including slowing down the ageing process (1).

How was discovered?

Even though NMN was first found in the 1960s, most of what we know about it came to light in the middle of the 2010s. And after that, not only did it get a lot of attention from the media. But also the number of scientific studies looking into the different benefits of NMN exploded.

It all started when a group of researchers led by Dr. David Sinclair showed that compounds that activate NAD+ and sirtuins, such as NMN, can make mice live longer (2) (3). Now, a lot of research suggests that nicotinamide mononucleotide may protect against diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and ageing in general (4).

Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, which is a precursor of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+), has been gaining interest as a possible way to stop the decline of NAD+ in the body that comes with getting older. The number of annual articles on “Nicotinamide Mononucleotide” on pubmed shows how quickly interest in the compound is growing.

Why take NMN? The evidence-backed benefits

If you are trying to improve your overall health and well-being, incorporating NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide) into your daily supplement routine can be a game-changer. This small but potent molecule offers numerous benefits supported by scientific research, empowering you to optimize your performance, well-being, and longevity.

• Enhanced cellular energy: NMN boosts NAD+ levels, revitalizing cells for optimal function, increased endurance, and overall vitality. [1][2]
• Healthy aging support: NMN replenishes declining NAD+ levels, promoting healthy aging, improved mitochondrial function, reduced oxidative stress, and enhanced cellular repair. [3][4]
• Cognitive function and brain health: NMN supports brain function by enhancing neuroplasticity, DNA repair, and reducing inflammation, potentially enhancing cognition and protecting against age-related decline. [5][6]
• Cardiovascular health: NMN promotes healthy blood vessels, reduces oxidative stress, and enhances heart muscle function, contributing to improved heart health and blood circulation. [7][8]
• Metabolic health and weight management: NMN enhances energy utilization, regulates insulin sensitivity, and promotes efficient fat metabolism, supporting metabolic well-being and healthy weight management. [9][10]

When to take NMN?

Several studies have demonstrated that NAD+ levels naturally decrease with age. One of the leading theories is that this decline contributes to the aging process and related health issues. A study by Massudi et al., 2012 found that NAD+ levels decrease with age across different human tissues. Dropping by up to 50% between the ages of 40 and 60.

Starting NMN supplements largely depends on your personal needs and circumstances. People over 40, particularly those experiencing a dip in energy levels, may find it worthwhile to explore NMN, a supplement known to boost NAD+ levels. However, it’s worth noting that scientific studies haven’t definitively identified the ideal time to begin an NMN supplement regimen.

Where is NMN made from? How is it produced?

NMN is made in the body from B vitamins. The enzyme that makes NMN is known as nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT). NAMPT links nicotinamide, a vitamin B3, to a sugar phosphate named PRPP (5′-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate).

NAMPT, the key enzyme in NMN biosynthesis, is produced by liver, heart, brain, white blood cells, and, most importantly, fat cells. Like NMN and NAD+, NAMPT levels drop dramatically with age. By your late 40s or early 50s, your body has half the amount it had in your 20s.

It can also be made from nicotinamide ribose (NR), which is also a compound that helps make NAD+. NMN and NR (read the comparison) dance together in the body as both can be converted into each other by different enzymes.

How does NMN become NAD+?

When nicotinamide mononucleotide gets into the cells, especially the liver. NMN adenylyltransferases, also known as NMNATs, quickly transform it into Nicotinamide dinucleotide. Then, it undergoes another process known as “Amidation” to produce NAD+. This process speeds up thanks to an enzyme known as “NAD+ synthetase”. NAD+, in turn, plays crucial roles in many functions not only in the liver but throughout the body, including metabolism, DNA repair, cell growth, survival, and, more importantly, aging.

How to increase your NAD levels?

Many of you may wonder why you can’t just take NAD+ instead. Because NAD+ can’t get through cell membranes, which is why it can’t get into cells. So, to get more NAD+, we need to eat foods or take supplements that are part of this metabolic pathway.

Increasing NMN intake seems to be the most logical step. The problem, however, is that although NMN is found in many dietary sources such as milk, fruits like avocado and tomato, and vegetables like broccoli and cucumber, It’s not enough to make a big difference.

For example, 100g of vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and avocado have only 1mg of NMN, far short of the hundreds of milligrams your body requires daily. As a result, to get NMN benefits, you will have to take supplements such as Purovitalis Liposomal NMN capsules. Compared to other NAD+ boosters, a liposomal form has higher absorption and is not broken down in the gut.

How do I know I get the real deal?

• Be careful when buying NMN sold on Amazon
  A study was conducted on 22 brands that sell on Amazon. Unfortunately most of these supplements didn’t contain much NMN, you can find the study here.

• Make sure the brand offers a Certificate of Analysis
  The NMNs are likely to be fake if the brand or producer can’t provide an up-to-date certifications of analysis. You can find Purovitalis certificates here.
• NMN should be crystal white and light
  Simply said, it is incredibly light and airy. Long-term compression has a small clumping effect. Although this may be a little inconvenience, it will not affect the product’s quality in any way.

Nicotinamide Mononucleotide made in Europe

Did you know, that almost all brands get their Nicotinamide Mononucleotide from China. Uthever was one of the first companies to offer quality NMN, but not many people know that it is a Chinese company. So, if your local supplement supplier says they sell NMN made in America, it’s more likely than not that they sell Uthever. Purovitalis is the first and most popular brand that has NMN made in Europe from Longevir™.

What is the best form of NMN?

The market is longevity supplement market is growing. More companies are popping up, and so are the different forms, from powder to gels and capsules . But what is the best form? The answer this, it’s easiest to compare look at the comparison table below. Different forms have different kind of benefits. It’s up to you what fits best for your comfort.

What does NMN do?

NMN acts as a precursor to NAD+ and therefore, supplementation with NMN can increase the levels of NAD+ in our body, leading to improved metabolic function and reduced risk of age-related symptoms.

In addition to its anti-aging properties, NMN has been found to have several other health benefits. One study published in the journal Aging Cell found that NMN supplementation improved muscle function and enhanced endurance in mice. Another study conducted at Keio University in Japan found that NMN can improve cognitive function and prevent memory decline in mice.

Several other studies have suggested that NMN can improve cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation, and prevent certain types of cancer. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings and to understand the full range of benefits that NMN can offer.

What is NMN-H?

Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Hydrogen (NMN-H) is a newer variant of the popular NAD+ booster, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN). People report that NMN-H carries an extra hydrogen molecule. This extra hydrogen might make NMN-H more stable and could help it boost levels of NAD+ in the body more effectively.

However, whether NMN-H provides additional benefits over standard NMN due to its extra hydrogen molecule is still an area that requires more comprehensive research and scientific scrutiny.

Since NMN-H is new and we don’t have much information about it yet, you should talk to a healthcare professional before you start using it or any other new supplement. Always prioritize safety and proper guidance when considering new supplements or health practices.

Conclusion – What is NMN?

So, what is NMN? Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, or NMN, is a supplement that’s gaining attention in the field of health and wellness. It’s a molecule naturally found in our bodies and certain foods, like broccoli, cabbage, and avocado. NMN is a precursor to Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+), a critical coenzyme that powers metabolic processes and is essential for the functioning of our cells. As we age, NAD+ levels decline, and it’s suggested that by supplementing with NMN, we might boost NAD+ production, potentially promoting energy, vitality, and overall health.

We need to do more research to fully grasp the benefits of NMN for our health, but it’s already clear that it has some exciting perks. Taking a quality supplement such as Purovitalis Liposomal NMN capsules may help you slow down the, aging process and improve your health. Make sure to do your own research and consult a healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns about taking NMN supplements.

References

1. Yoshino, J. et al. (2011). Cell Metabolism, 14(4), 528–536.
2. Mills, K. F. et al. (2016). Cell, 166(4), 985-1000.
3. Mills, K. F. et al. (2016). Cell, 166(4), 836-851.
4. Grozio, A. et al. (2019). Nature Communications, 10(1), 1-14.
5. Long, A. N. et al. (2020). Aging Cell, 19(10), e13214.
6. Aksoy, P. et al. (2021). Science Advances, 7(10), eabe2170.
7. Ryu, D. et al. (2016). Cell Metabolism, 23(6), 1127-1139.
8. Diguet, N. et al. (2018). Frontiers in Physiology, 9, 1-12.
9. Uddin, G. M. et al. (2020). Science Advances, 6(44), eabb3769.
10. Gariani, K. et al. (2020). Nature Communications, 11(1), 1-14.