It has been well documented that a larger quantity of NAD+ present in cells has been connected with higher energy levels. This makes sense considering that NAD+ helps to create ATP, which is a universal source of cellular energy. But with time and aging, the level of NAD+ becomes less in the body.
Researchers are looking for endogenous substances that may be able to help people live long, healthy lives even into old age. One such naturally occurring compound is nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). Research is ongoing on animals as well as human trials. A supplement and NAD+ booster, NMN, is promoted despite the fact that there is just a small amount of data to support its efficacy in people. NMN has been shown to reduce the aging process in animals, but there was no evidence to support its use for anti-aging and energy production in people until now.
An anti-aging human trial by the NMN
A new human trial published under the name Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of NMN Supplement has been published in the journal Frontiers. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of NMN in stimulating NAD+ metabolism in older adults thereby accessing its anti-aging effects.
The research included 66 healthy participants between the ages of 40 and 65. Participants received two capsules containing 150 mg of NMN or starch powder to the experiment and control group respectively, once a day after breakfast for sixty days. They were to be evaluated after a 30-day and 60-day interval.
The rise in NAD+ Level
NAD+/NADH levels in the blood had increased by 11.3% in the active group by day 30, whereas they had remained unchanged in the placebo group. And at the end of the study (day 60), a 38% rise in NAD+/NADH levels from baseline was seen in the active group. Whereas only a 14.3 % increase was observed in the placebo group. Because of the placebo effect, this study saw an increase in the placebo group.
This shows that NMN is entering cells to enhance energy levels, which may be interpreted as a modest anti-aging impact in this instance. However, NAD+ levels also rose among placebo recipients who did not take NMN, a finding that requires additional examination.
Effect on Walking Ability
The 6m walking test was used as a secondary endpoint for the research. Researchers hypothesized that NMN would increase participants’ energy levels and consequently their walking ability.
In the NMN and placebo groups, walking endurance rose by 4.3% and 3.9% respectively on day 30 of therapy. There was no noticeable improvement in walking endurance by day 30 of the therapy. The NMN group exhibited a 6.5 % increase, but the placebo group stayed unchanged, at 3.9 %, after 60 days of therapy.
No statistically significant differences in effectiveness results between the active and placebo groups were found in this human trial. Clinically noteworthy, however, are the rises in serum NAD+/NADH levels and the improvements in general health and walking endurance.
Insulin resistance.
HOMA has been selected as a metric for measuring the insulin sensitivity of cells. Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA IR) measures the amount of insulin required by the pancreas to control blood sugar levels. This indirect measurement was developed in the 1980s and is derived from fasting glucose and insulin levels. The HOMA score increased in the group receiving starch powder as a placebo, but there was minimal change in the group receiving NMN. According to the researchers, this shows that NMN slows down the aging process and that HOMA would have become worse without it as in the placebo group.
This human trial suggests that NMN may have therapeutic potential in humans; nevertheless, a longer study, a higher dose, and the reason why the placebo group had a rise in NAD+ levels should preferably be conducted.
