What is It?
NMN, nicotinamide mononucleotide, is a naturally occurring compound found in a variety of foods such as broccoli, cabbage, cucumber, edamame and avocado, among others. NMN is similar to various forms of Vitamin B3, although it's not generally considered a unique form of B3 today.
NAD+, Sirtuins and Age
In cell biology, there are a
key set of proteins in three evolutionary conserved pathways that have been linked to regulation of lifespan. These proteins are the sirtuin family of NAD‐dependent enzymes, the various components of the insulin/IGF pathway and the mTOR kinase and its downstream effectors.
Our interest lies with the sirtuin family of NAD‐dependent enzymes because, according to research,
sirtuins need NAD to work and we lose NAD as we get older. We have about half the NAD levels in our bodies at age 50 as we did at age 20. NMN boosts the body’s level of NAD back to youthful levels.
NMN, Diet and Exercise
NMN is a nucleotide that is a precursor or intermediate of NAD+, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, biosynthesis . In simple terms, the body uses NMN as one way to produce NAD+. The presence of NAD+ is required for sirtuins. Therefore, it is believed that through NMN supplementation, the body will be able to raise NAD+, something that could improve cellular health.
In addition to NMN supplementation, diet (what, how much and when you eat) and exercise are also very important factors in terms of overall health.
Clinical Trials
Unlike the vast majority of supplements available today, NMN is actually being intensely studied through clinical trials, something that is normally reserved for new drug development.
In fact, the first clinical trial started back in 2016. Keio University School of Medicine in Tokyo and Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis has started the phase I human clinical study for NMN. At Keio, Hiroshi Itoh, Professor of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nephrology and his team are leading the study. Shin-ichiro Imai, Professor of Developmental Biology, is involved in the study at the US side.
Today there are many more clinical trials underway and we are looking forward to the data they will provide.
