NMN Research Guide: Benefits, Side Effects & Controversy
NMN has blown up in the longevity & health optimization space due to it’s incredible promise and hope of improving health long-term
What is NMN?
NMN stands for nicotinamine monoculture - found in every life form as a natural occurring molecule.
NMN is a precursor to NAD+ and one of the primary components needed to increase NAD+ in cells.
NAD+ has been linked to longevity and therefore NMN has become incredibly popular in circles focusing on increasing longevity & health span.
The Benefits of an NMN Supplement
NMN Supplementation can have multiple benefits. The primary ones people concern themselves with around NMN are:
Aging
NMN is most often associated with aging. However, this is a wide general category. That said, NAD+ supplementation seems to help improve metabolic and cell integrity & function over time - especially as people age into their 50s and 60s. By improving cell function - you prevent many of the degenerative issues that come with aging - although the specifics here need to be investigated quite a bit more.
Metabolic Health
Because proper cellular function is key to metabolic health. NAD+ promotes good mitochondrial function and improved energy output from the cells. This can overflow too . NAD+ supplementation has shown beneficial properties around fighting weight gain and improving exercise output. It’s also been shown to help reverse some effects of diabetes specifically in mice - possibly showing promise going forward as a tool against obesity.
Improving Heart Function
By improving NAD+ levels, you can improve cardiac functionality and boost heart protection. By improving blood flow, elevated NAD+ levels in mic have prevented heart injuries and enlargements.
Improved Neuro Protection
By increasing NAD+ levels, you can increase cognitive function in brain cells. This can also potentially be used to help the brain age well - improving memory and protecting against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers.
Immunity
This can help even possibly help prevention or at least help recovery from certain, unmentionable global pandemics.
The Best NMN Supplement
Because NMN is being reclassified soon (see our section on the controversy surrounding NMN - there will soon by no NMN “supplements” available - strictly speaking.
What will be available is NMN over the counter - however you’re not limited to only NMN if you're looking to increase your overall NAD+ levels. Here's a few alternatives to NMN you can test out while awaiting the new FDA guidelines to shake out.
NMN Supplement Alternatives
Because NMN is going to be sparse soon, a couple NMN alternatives you might consider are
Tru Niagen
Tru Niagen is a NAD+ supplement focused on increasing NAD+ levels directly. It’s one of the best in the space as far as quality and testing that we’ve seen.
→ Read the review of Tru Niagen here.
ION Layer NAD+ patches
ION Layer provides high dose NAD+ IVs without the needles. They are currently in a beta program, but you can apply & get $100 off here.
Read more about NAD+ and why it’s important here.
NMN: Mechanism of Action
Because NMN is a building block of NAD+ - it is primarily involved in the creation of the NAD+ itself.
NAD+ is either produced from scratch with the precursors (found in your diet) or from regularly recycling byproducts in your body that are created by NAD+ degrading over time.
By supplementing with NMN - you’re providing your body with additional “building blocks” to continue creating NAD+ and maintain high levels of that important compound in your cells.
NMN Supplement David Sinclair
David Sinclair is a doctor and researcher focused on lifespan and health.
He’s been one of the primary researchers focused on NAD+ and the NMN compound in general.
This podcast by David Sinclair - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nmn-nr-resveratrol-metformin-other-longevity-molecules/id1601709306?i=1000549036238 - is a good overview of why he’s focused on NMN and other NAD+ boosters.
NMN Supplement Side Effects
NMN follows a similar side effect profile to most supplements including standard side effects like diarrhea, indigestion or nauseau. These are more pronounced when taken on an empty stomach.
However, there have been human studies that have reported no side effects up to a dosage surpassing 1200mg.
David Sinclair claims no personal side effects on over 1g of NMN per day.
The primary issue with NMN supplementation are typically 1) poor quality control at facilities - resulting in poor quality supplements and 2) the new regulations and controversy around NMN being declassified as a nutritional supplement.
NMN & Tony Robbins
Tony Robbins is a big advocate of NMN.
In his book “Lifeforce” - he mentions it as one of the primary supplements he takes. He referencers in the improvement in performance - specifically with special forces - and focuses on improvement in endurance, muscle strength and cognition.
You can hear more about Tony’s views on NMN here.
NMN Controversy
NMN has shown promise of efficacy but also sparked controversy. At the end of 2022, the FDA that NMN was no longer allowed as a dietary ingredient because it has been previously investigated as a drug.
As a result, you can no longer sell NMN as a supplement, but must be approved for over-the-counter sales.
As a result, Amazon has told all sellers to remove any products containing NMN. Once, readily available across an array of listings - amazon is removing all of these this year. The cut-off date for sale on Amazon is March 13, 2023.
This is similar to the controversy surrounding Amazon’s removal of NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) in 2021.
This Article is Developing
Because the controversy of NMN is so new, we’re monitoring all the actions and will be reporting on any updates.
The controversy and the backlash have been very new, so it’s possible the FDA, Amazon and other entities may change direction in the future.
Other Novel Compound Research Guide
Other research guides you might be interested in:
- Turkesterone Research Guide
- Ecdysterone Research Guide
- Fadogia Agrestis Research Guide
- NAD+ Research Guide
- Tongkat Ali Research Guide
NMN Research & Citations
Other resources you may want to dive into: