The world’s population is living longer as a result of modern medicine and advancements in public health. According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) World Population Prospects 2019, the number of persons over the age of 80 will rise in the next 30 years.
Scientists are researching compounds with anti-aging properties in order to help us live longer and healthier lives. A critical chemical called nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is synthesized within each of our cells or NAD+. Our cells need NAD+ for several functions, the most critical of which are to provide the energy required for cell activity and to activate proteins that repair damaged DNA. As we age, our bodies produce less of this chemical. We can maintain healthy levels of NAD+ by taking nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). Every cellular composition is assembled like a factory assembly line, with each component preceding the next. More NMN is needed to make more NAD+.
What Does NMN Do?
NMN has been shown to boost levels of an essential molecule with crucial roles in over 400 metabolic reactions called nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+).
1. Longevity
NMN contributes to the creation of NAD+, a molecule that gives essential energy to cells and is believed to be crucial for healthy aging. Additionally, NAD+ is required for the activation of proteins that help maintain the integrity of our DNA. Because NMN plays such a critical part in so many cellular functions, its potential advantages extend to practically all physiological systems.
Sinclair and colleagues discovered that when mice of various ages were given NMN-infused water, their running endurance nearly doubled. Additional research has established that injecting mice with NMN protects mental health as they age. Additionally, according to Imai and colleagues, an increase in NMN synthesis more than doubles the remaining lifetime of mice.
2. Mitigates Physiological Aging
The availability of NAD+ decreases with age causing the age-related physiological decline. Orally ingesting NMN, the precursor of NAD+, showed an overall improvement of related declines (eyes, weight, energy, physical activity, etc.) and proved the preventive and therapeutic potential of NMN as effective anti-aging interventions in humans.
3. Enhances Vascular Health and Circulation
NMN has been proven in rodents to protect against a variety of aging-related declines in vascular health, including blood vessel stiffness, oxidative stress, our cells’ capacity to divide, and even changes in how active our genes are.
4. Helps to repair DNA
The NAD+ produced by NMN activates a family of proteins known as sirtuins, which are frequently referred to as the “guardians of our healthspan.” Sirtuins are essential to safeguard the integrity of DNA, which is continually assaulted by DNA-changing chemicals (mutagens) such as ultraviolet radiation. Additionally, each time our cells split, the DNA at the ends of our chromosomes shortens gradually. At some point, this begins to wreak havoc on our DNA. Sirtuins act as a brake on this process by stabilizing the end bits, technically referred to as telomeres. Several recent investigations have shown that feeding mice with nicotinamide mononucleotide activate sirtuins and results in more stable telomeres of DNA.
5. Guards against Heart Disease
The heart’s energy consumption is enormous. And to keep it ticking, it has to produce as much NAD+ as possible. This is why cardiac cells require a constant supply of NMN. It has been studied that NMN Increases the flexibility and suppleness of blood arteries by twofold in mice, reversing their functional decrease.
6. Supports Neurological Functioning
Mitochondrial disorders resulting from NAD+ deficiency may have an effect on neurological illnesses such as Alzheimer’s. NMN supplementation has been demonstrated to be therapeutic in the preservation of mitochondrial functions in the brain.
7. Upholds Metabolism
Mitochondria are necessary for metabolism; they transform the molecules in the food we eat into the energy our cells require. Boosting NAD+ with nicotinamide mononucleotide precursor can effectively reverse several mitochondrial dysfunctions in mice according to researchers.
8. Improve Stem Cell Health
As people age, their stem cells diminish, and the remaining stem cells frequently become dysfunctional. This adds to aging, as stem cells are responsible for the generation of new cells and the maintenance of our tissues. Numerous studies demonstrate that supplementing with NMN or increasing NAD levels can promote stem cell health and self-renewal. (1)(2)(3)
9. Enhances Muscular Strength
Our skeletal muscles provide us with mobility, balance, and stamina. To remain strong and healthy, these muscles must consume large amounts of key energy molecules such as glucose and fatty acids. Because NAD+ is necessary for the metabolization of these compounds, our muscles require a constant supply of its precursors, such as nicotinamide mononucleotide. Muscle health becomes increasingly critical as we age and our own supply of NAD+ decreases. Extensive research has demonstrated that rodents given NMN over lengthy periods of time had improved energy metabolism with no apparent adverse consequences.
10. Regulates Body Fat
Maternal overnutrition increases the risk of long-term metabolic dysfunction in offspring. Studies have demonstrated that NMN supplementation boosts fatty acid catabolism and reduces liver fat content which mitigates inherited metabolic disorders due to maternal obesity.
