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Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) & Aging: Where’s The Proof?

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a popular NAD+ raising supplement that's touted to improve aging-related diseases. But, does it really work? Is it effective for diabetes, dementia, and other health problems? Does it improve exercise or sleep better? The best way to know is to test it in humans. In this video review, you'll discover where the majority of research on nicotinamide mononucleotide supplements comes from. I'll also reveal their shortcomings. If you take NMN supplements, this is the proof you need to see.

What Are NMN Supplements?

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a dietary supplement and not a prescription drug. It's a combination of niacin (vitamin B3) and ribose, a type of sugar. It's a rising star in the world of anti-aging medicine because of its ability to raise NAD+ levels inside our cells. NAD+ is a molecule we need to make energy. All cellular reactions need energy and as we get older, our ability to make NAD+ declines.

The benefits of NMN are said to be numerous. Some antiaging theorists speculate that declining NAD+ levels is connected to aging and aging-related diseases like:

  • heart disease
  • dementia
  • diabetes
  • cancer

and many other things.

Don't confuse nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) with nicotinamide riboside (NR). They are not the same thing. When you take NMN supplements, they are converted to nicotinamide riboside (NR) inside your cells. The NR molecule is a form of niacin. The supplement, called Tru Niagen, is a popular nicotinamide riboside supplement and an ingredient found in many other supplements touted to raise cellular NAD+ levels.

NMN Supplements: Where Is The Proof?

Here is the proof I was able to uncover. Notice where most of the research comes from.

Watch on my YouTube channel if you prefer.

 

Can NMN Improve Sleep Quality?

Researchers gave 250 mg in the AM or PM or a placebo to 108 men and women living in Japan for 3 months. Here's what happened:

Watch on my Youtube Channel if you prefer.

What Do I Suggest?

This is the supplement I like better. It has several human studies showing it can:

And it's not expensive either.

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What Do You Think?

About Joe Cannon

Joe Cannon, MS has been investigating supplements and teaching people about them since the 1990s. He holds an MS in exercise science and a BS degree in chemistry and biology. He uses science to evaluate supplements. He's the author of several books including the first book about exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis. He's been quoted in the New York Times, Shape Magazine, and The Daily Beast. He trains personal trainers, speaking to thousands each year, and has even lectured to NASA.

Learn more about Joe Cannon here

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  1. Barb Thomas says

    I began taking nmn after reading Dr Sinclair’s book. I found more energy, I lost couple of pounds, and I felt great. I am now having a problem purchasing this supplement, and getting something that is truly nmn. Can you suggest a way to tell if a supplement is honestly what it says it is? I started out with one brand of nmn and when I got the next bottle, it was absolutely not the same product. Bait and switch. I do not want you to endorse a product and I know that’s not what you do. Brands of supplements that I trust don’t offer nmn as one of their products. I’m not sure what to do next. Thank you.

    Reply

  2. Donna M Duffy says

    After reading Dr. Sinclair’s book on longevity I started taking NMN. He talks about it a lot in his book. It took a few weeks, but I have definitely been sleeping better as evidenced by my sleep app on my Smart watch. I was suffering from terrible insomnia before taking it, which my smart watch proved. Two of my daughters have also been taking it. They are the one’s who told me about the book and how well they are sleeping after taking it. That’s when I decided to give it a try.

    I would definitely like to see more studies done on it involving humans and for more than one day. Really I’m surprised the study you cited showed any data from taking NMN for one day. What a ridiculous study in my opinion!

    Reply

    • Joe Cannon says

      Hi Donna, thanks for sharing. I also want to see more NMN studies on humans. Hoping Dr. Sinclair will do them in the future. Regardless, I’m glad to hear you are sleeping better. Are you using a specific brand of NMN supplements?

      Reply

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