What’s the Big Deal with NMN?

Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, better known as NMN, is a niacin derivative (Vitamin B3) and a precursor to NAD+, or Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide. NAD+ is a molecule involved in different biological processes, such as DNA repair and energy production.

NAD+ levels decline as we age, which may help explain various age-related issues we all inevitably live with. NMN is such a big deal because it could boost NAD+ levels, which may lead to an assortment of health benefits.

Below, I explore NMN in depth, explaining how it becomes NAD+, what it can do, whether it works, and its side effects. I also discuss how much NMN we need and whether it’s possible to get it without supplementation.

NMN to NAD+: A Crucial Transformation

Did you know that NAD+ is the second most abundant molecule in the human body? In case you’re wondering, water is #1! As you can imagine, it’s kind of important! Actually, it’s necessary for life, so producing more of this coenzyme (a molecule that helps enzymes function) can be a very good thing. For the record, without enzymes, certain biological transformations would take tens of millions, potentially billions, of years to complete. Yikes!

Once you consume NMN, a sequence of enzymatic reactions in the body turns it into NAD+. When NMN enters your cells, it gets converted into nicotinamide riboside (NR), which, in turn, is phosphorylated into NMN when inside the cell. Finally, the enzyme nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase (NMNAT) helps convert NMN into NAD+.

What Does NAD+ Do?

We now know that NMN is essential for increasing levels of NAD+ in the body, but why is this important? NAD+ is involved in a plethora of critical processes within the body.

While research is ongoing, data exists regarding the effects of NMN usage among healthy middle-aged adults. One study found that those who used it showed elevated blood NAD+ concentrations. It also found that those who used NMN performed better in a six-minute walking test than those who didn’t consume it.

What’s also worth noting is that the NMN groups in this study reported better general health than the placebo groups. As such, using NMN could become a crucial part of your wellness regime. This is especially the case as we approach a certain age. In many cases, a person’s NAD+ levels at 50 are half of what they were at 20.

Thus, adding it to your daily routine may prove quite beneficial if you want to experience more natural energy throughout the day. Imagine waking up not only with the intention of being more active but also having the desire and mindset to put these thoughts into practice! Those who use NMN suggest that this is what happens to them.

Are There Side Effects to Worry About?

According to the available research, which includes human trials, NMN is considered safe and tolerated at standard dosages. That being said, those of you interested in using it should do so sensibly at first to gauge its effects.

There are reports of adverse effects such as headaches and mild gastrointestinal discomfort such as bloating or nausea. To date, the evidence suggests that no serious harmful effects happen when consumed in doses as high as 1,250 mg. As I’ll outline shortly, this is well above the amount that most people should consume.

At present, researchers haven’t found any evidence of NMN interacting with any medications. However, certain products could include ingredients like herbs that may interact with common drugs. As such, you should chat with a healthcare provider before trying NMN if you’re currently using medication.

There’s also a theory that NMN could deplete methyl groups in our bodies, so taking betaine (also known as TMG), an amino acid, could help mitigate this issue. However, the research on this isn’t clear at this point in time.

NMN Dosing & What to Look for in a Product

There is no “universal” NMN dosage, as the optimal amount will vary depending on factors such as a person’s general health, their age, and what they hope it will do for them. In many studies involving human subjects, volunteers received between 250 mg and 500 mg of NMN per day.

Since we produce less NAD+ as we get older, it makes sense for older individuals to consume more. For instance, while a 32-year-old may find that 250 mg is sufficient, a 63-year-old may discover that 500 mg offers a better outcome.

Many people prefer to use it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Our NMN capsules make the process quick and easy. However, regular usage is required for the best results. This means using it daily for several weeks, although everyone is different.

When it comes to finding the best NMN products, stick with tried and trusted brands like Premium Jane. We hire independent labs to ensure our products are tested for purity and quality. Our NMN capsules contain gelatin shells, NMN, and silica—that’s it! Shoppers should always check the ingredients list of any product they view to ensure it isn’t laden with filler.

How Do I Consume Enough NMN Naturally?

With great difficulty! You will find NMN in certain foods, but only in trace amounts. In the vast majority of cases, you’ll do well to find 10 mg in a kilogram of food! For instance, avocados have a relatively “high” amount of NMN compared to other foods.

Yet, even in this case, getting 500 mg of NMN from avocados would require you to eat at least 30 kilos of it! Even if it were humanly possible to achieve this feat, you would be consuming approximately 48,000 calories!

Tomatoes are less calorie dense, but you still need to eat over 160 kilograms of them to get 500 mg of NMN! Alternatively, you can get the same amount of molecule in one of our NMN capsules.

NMN: The Final Takeaway

NMN is a “big deal” because it’s transformed into NAD+ in the body. NAD+ has a litany of benefits and could prove beneficial as we age since we produce less of it when we grow older. NAD+ is crucial for life and a key part of many biological processes.

It is virtually impossible to get enough NMN naturally in our diet, which means products such as our NMN capsules are essential if you want to derive the greatest benefits of this naturally occurring molecule.