What is NMN - Nicotinamide Mononucleotide?
Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a precursor molecule for the creation of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+), a coenzyme that plays a major role in the production of cellular energy and DNA repair. NAD+ is probably one of the most important molecules on the planet, without it life would cease to exist. A growing body of research suggests that an NAD+ booster like NMN when taken in supplement form increases cellular levels of NAD+.
As we age, our levels of NAD+ naturally decrease. Levels drop as much as 50% by the age of 40, making it harder to train, build muscle and keep fit.
How can we naturally increase our NAD+ levels?
NMN can be found naturally in tiny quantities in cabbage, broccoli, tomatoes, cucumbers and avocados, although you would have to eat a herculean amount to have any impact. Any other activity that creates a cellular energy deficit, such as caloric restriction, fasting and exercise increases NAD+ as the body tries to create the energy it needs.
Why should we supplement with NMN?
NAD+ levels are depleted in aging, a consequence of decreased synthesis and increased consumption and degradation. Our muscles have some of the highest metabolic demands (and because of that, high NAD+ use), so a reduction in NAD+ levels leave us susceptible to the progressive loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia) as we age. Boosting NAD+ using NMN can mitigate this, allowing us to continue to build muscle and make gains in the gym, even as we get older.
NAD+ is key to cellular energy metabolism via its role in the back-and-forth processes of reduction and oxidation – known as "redox" reactions. These alternating conversions of NAD's oxidized form (NAD+) to its reduced form (NADH) help glycolysis and fatty acid oxidation to create ATP. It also serves as a coenzyme for a large number of enzymes that further support metabolic processes. NMN, by boosting NAD+levels is essentially a permanent pre-workout if you’re in your 40s, giving you the energy to train longer and harder in the gym.
NAD+ creation and consumption in cells is linked to glucose metabolism and their transformation from preadipocytes into adipocytes, or as we like to call them, fat cells. This is one of the reasons why the decline of NAD+ results in an increasing amount of fat cells and weight gain. NAD+ also turns on Sirtuins which are in control of cell metabolism. Sirtuins are often labelled the “skinny gene” because of their metabolism-accelerating function. Supplementing with NMN can reduce the weight gain associated with ageing and also help regulate glucose intolerance. As I’m sure you’ve noticed, losing weight to get in shape gets more difficult with age. Supplementing with NMN can tip the balance back in your favour.
NAD+ depletion has been associated with many of the effects of ageing, such as decreased autophagy, increased DNA damage and increased mitochondrial dysfunction. NMN is causing a stir in the anti-ageing community because of its ability to slow down ageing. By raising NAD+ levels, NMN prevents the expression of genes that cause aging by boosting Sirtuins.
How long does it take for NMN to take effect?
Typically, when you take NMN with water it will be converted into NAD+ within 15 minutes and levels will continue to rise for over an hour. You should start to notice the difference in your energy levels fairly quickly, however it’s important to note that the benefits of NMN will be maximized the longer you take it.
Is NMN safe?
A recent clinical trial was conducted in healthy men to investigate the safety of NMN in oral dosages of 100, 250, and 500mg. The study concluded that NMN caused no significant changes in blood pressure or heart rate, and was safely and effectively metabolized in healthy men with no harmful effects.
The researchers concluded:
“The single oral administration of NMN was safe and effectively metabolized in healthy men without causing any significant deleterious effects. Thus, the oral administration of NMN was found to be feasible, implicating a potential therapeutic strategy to mitigate aging-related disorders in humans.”
NMN – so what?
A decrease in NAD+ levels as we get older is a cause of many of the negative effects of ageing. NMN is an exciting new supplement for the fitness community because of its ability to raise levels of NAD+. For experienced trainers looking to get the most from their training, NMN supplementation can improve muscle mass, energy levels and encourage weight loss, making it an essential addition to your supplement armory. On top of this, NMN supplementation may slow the ageing process and be beneficial to overall health by delaying or preventing the onset of age-related disease. What’s not to like?