NMN Supplements: How They Work, Benefits & Precautions

NMN supplements are NAD precursors that support energy metabolism, cardiovascular health, a strong brain, and good holistic well-being.

Currently, NMN is under investigation as a new “drug,” making the legality of supplements containing this ingredient somewhat questionable. However, many people still purchase and take NMN products, and we want you to understand how to decide if it’s best for you.

If you want cutting-edge advice from judgment-free medical experts, PrimeHealth’s inviting team will help you determine if supplements to increase NAD levels are right for you. They will formulate a treatment plan with you that works for your unique situation. Schedule a free consultation today!

Disclaimer: We may receive a small commission from products you purchase via links in this article.

What is NMN?

NMN stands for nicotinamide mononucleotide. It’s a naturally occurring, bioactive molecule that helps synthesize the essential coenzyme NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). NMN in supplement form is meant to help you increase your NAD+ levels.

Normal NAD+ levels may support healthy aging, improved insulin sensitivity, strong metabolism, regulated blood pressure, and delayed cognitive impairment.

As you age or experience excess UV exposure from sunlight, NAD+ levels drop. Most adults experience a 50% drop in NAD+ levels by middle age. NMN supplements may help NAD+ return to healthy levels.

Is NMN just vitamin B3? NMN is not vitamin B3, although they are related. NMN is derived from vitamin B3 (niacin), so some may misleadingly call NMN “a form of vitamin B3.” NMN is a naturally occurring compound derived from B3, but that does not make it B3.

This anti-aging supplement may come in NMN powder, liquid, or capsule form.

In our experience, liposomal NMN supplements are the most effective! Check out our favorite.

Benefits of NMN Supplements

Now, you can answer the question, “What is NMN supplement?”, here are the benefits that you should be aware of

One of the primary NMN benefits is increased NAD+ levels.

What is NMN supplement good for? The NMN supplement is good for healthy NAD+ levels, which have proven NMN benefits that include:

• Slowing of the aging process
• Lessening long COVID
• Healthy metabolism
• Mental health
• Heart health
• Cognitive function
• Muscle function
• Anti-inflammation

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The Impact of NAD+ on Anti-Aging

The most prevalent benefit of NAD+ (and therefore NMN supplements) is anti-aging, or healthy aging. As we age, our natural NAD+ levels drop. Supplementing with NAD precursors, such as NMN, increases your NAD+ levels and helps slow or reverse age-related conditions.

NAD+’s anti-aging benefits may be due to NAD’s pivotal role in energy production and sirtuin activation. Sirtuins protect against disease, sustain genome integrity, promote DNA repair, and may even increase lifespan by slowing down the aging process.

In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) added a classification: “aging-related” diseases. As the conventional healthcare world increasingly acknowledges that age-related diseases may be treatable — not lost causes — we look for potential treatments such as NAD supplements.

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How is NMN converted to NAD?

NAD+ can be synthesized in 3 ways:

• The salvage pathway
• The kynurenine pathway (de novo)
• The Preiss-Handler pathway

The salvage pathway is the only one that involves NMN. Multiple long-named enzymes convert vitamin B3-derived compounds, including NMN, into NAD+.

The enzyme nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase produces NMN from nicotinamide. Then the enzyme nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase converts NMN to NAD+.

Side Effects of NMN

What are the side effects of taking NMN? Normal doses of NMN (< 1,200mg/day) should not cause adverse side effects. In rare cases, large doses of NMN (or sensitivity to an NMN supplement) might cause adverse effects like:

• Abdominal pain
• Flatulence
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Lung problems
• Muscle problems

Talk to your healthcare provider as soon as you experience any side effects when taking NMN supplements.

Recommended Dosage

Research has found NMN health benefits may occur at doses as low as 250 mg/day of NMN.

A maximum of 1,200 mg of NMN per day should boost NAD levels without adverse side effects in most individuals.

In his book Lifespan: Why We Age — And Why We Don’t Have To (2019), Harvard University’s distinguished anti-aging researcher, David Sinclair, claimed to take one gram (1,000 mg) of NMN every morning.

Dietary Sources of NMN

Below are the most common dietary sources of NMN, in rough order of highest NMN concentration to lowest:

• Edamame (Japanese soybeans)
• Broccoli
• Cucumber
• Cabbage
• Avocado
• Tomatoes
• Shrimp
• Raw beef

Read more: Nutrition & Mental Health

The FDA Has Banned NMN — Here’s What to Know

In November 2022, the FDA banned the sale of NMN supplements in the USA. This does not confirm nor deny its efficacy in treating multiple health conditions. In fact, it’s only because of NMN’s potential efficacy that it’s being investigated as a potential drug and, therefore, not technically eligible for sale as a dietary supplement.

Here’s the context:

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 states that dietary supplements cannot contain ingredients that have been authorized for investigation as a new drug. This legislation is meant to prevent pharmaceutical companies from having to compete with natural supplement companies who are bound by fewer regulations.

In December 2021, a pharma startup called Metro International Biotech is believed to have requested the FDA to ban NMN as a dietary supplement. They did this so they could continue to investigate NMN as a drug with expensive clinical trials.

In November 2022, the FDA wrote to Inner Mongolia Kingdomway (a supplement manufacturer) that they were no longer allowed to market NMN as a dietary supplement. This was a change to the FDA’s previous stance of allowing NMN to be marketed as a supplement.

Technically, the FDA only forbade Inner Mongolia Kingdomway from marketing NMN as a supplement. Although it makes sense for others to follow suit, some manufacturers have chosen to continue shipping in the US, waiting to see if the FDA will actually enforce their decision.

Supplements do not require FDA approval to be marketed, sold, or purchased. However, legal action can be taken against the seller if there is evidence of misleading labels. 

Any supplement health claims must be followed by the disclaimer: “This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”

Emerging Research and Developments in NMN

Recent studies are uncovering some amazing new NMN benefits. Scientists everywhere are diving into this molecule, and the discoveries are pretty exciting!

One of the hottest topics is NMN’s potential in fighting neurodegenerative diseases. Early trial data suggests it might help slow down conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. On another front, researchers are looking into whether NMN can boost endurance and recovery for athletes.

The scientific community is making new discoveries almost daily, making NMN a buzz-worthy topic in health and wellness. With each new finding, NMN’s potential applications expand, showing it could revolutionize our approach to aging and health.

Comparison of NMN and NR Supplements

NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) and NR (nicotinamide riboside) are well-known for boosting NAD+ levels. Let’s dive into their unique traits, how they’re alike, their benefits, and how they each help ramp up NAD+ in the body.

Differences

The differences between the two compounds are what stands out most. NMN is a nucleotide, while NR is a nucleoside; this means that NMN contains phosphate, while NR does not. This difference affects how the body processes them, with NMN being more easily recognized and absorbed by cells.

Another significant difference is their sources. While both can be found in small amounts in food (such as broccoli and milk), NR is more commonly marketed as a supplement derived from yeast or corn, while NMN is typically sourced from bacteria.

Similarities

Despite their differences, these compounds are both precursors to NAD+. This means that they help increase NAD+ levels in the body by providing the necessary building blocks. They also share similar potential benefits, including anti-aging effects, improved metabolic function, and DNA repair. Also, both supplements have demonstrated a good safety profile at recommended doses in scientific studies.

Practical Tips for Choosing NMN Supplements

When it comes to choosing high-quality NMN supplements, there are a few key factors to keep in mind to ensure you’re getting the best bang for your buck. Here’s a quick guide to help you navigate the options.

• Purity: Look for supplements that are at least 99% pure NMN. Anything less might contain fillers or additives that you don’t want in your body.
• Dosage: Depending on your health goals, you might want to start with a smaller dose (like 250 mg) and gradually increase it. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines or consult with a healthcare professional.
• Form of the supplement: NMN is available in various forms including powder, liquid, and capsules. Capsules are convenient and easy to take, while powders can be mixed into your favorite smoothies or drinks. Liquid forms might offer quicker absorption, but they can be a bit pricier.
• Reputation: Keep an eye out for trusted brands. Some brands have built a solid reputation in the supplement industry for their quality and transparency. Doing a bit of research and reading customer reviews can go a long way.
• Third-party testing: One of the most important things to look for is third-party testing and certification. This means an independent lab has verified the purity and potency of the supplement, ensuring you’re actually getting what’s on the label. Brands that invest in third-party testing are usually more trustworthy.

By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to finding a high-quality NMN supplement that fits your needs and helps you leverage the potential NMN benefits.

Potential Drug Interactions and Contraindications

When diving into nicotinamide mononucleotide or NMN supplements, it’s key to know they might interact with your meds. Mixing NMN with thyroid medication or blood pressure drugs could cause side effects or reduce effectiveness. If you’re on prescriptions for chronic conditions, chat with your doctor first. Also, people with severe liver or kidney issues, and pregnant or nursing women, should consult their healthcare provider before starting NMN.

Other Ways to Increase NAD in the Body

NMN supplements are not the only way to increase NAD in your body. Below are the best ways to increase NAD levels:

• NAD+ IV therapy or intramuscular (IM) injections: Rapid and efficient IV or IM therapies promote whole-body wellness at a reasonable cost. IV or IM injections are the most bioavailable ways to increase your NAD levels. Learn more about NAD IV therapy.
• A diet rich in NAD precursors: Eating more vitamin B3 or tryptophan (both NAD precursors) should increase your body’s NAD biosynthesis. To increase NAD levels, eat more animal products (fish, poultry, egg whites, milk), brown rice, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, nuts, and legumes.
• Regular exercise: Exercise does deplete NAD+ but requires your body to synthesize more. Physical exercise not only helps prevent anxiety and obesity, but it also trains your body to produce NAD+ at higher rates.
• Limited sun exposure: Sun exposure causes ultraviolet (UV) damage to your DNA, depleting NAD+ to repair that DNA. Avoid long-term sun exposure, and your NAD+ won’t have to be used for DNA damage repair; it can be used for other health benefits.
• Chronic stress relief: Chronic stress can deplete NAD levels and cause metabolic dysfunction. Consider meditation, a walk in the park, or these vitamins for stress relief.
• High-quality supplements: NMN is not the only NAD precursor. NR (nicotinamide riboside), a multivitamin including B3, and even resveratrol supplements can support healthy levels of NAD+.

PrimeHealth has helped hundreds of people like you figure out the right combination of supplements, lifestyle changes, and targeted treatments for your unique situation. Schedule your free phone consultation today!

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