Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN)

Also known as: NMN, NAD+ precursor

Wellness

In plain English

NMN is a direct building block your body uses to make NAD+, the energy-and-repair molecule that declines with age. It is taken as a supplement to raise NAD+ levels. One well-run human study found it improved how muscle responds to insulin in prediabetic women, but broader anti-aging benefits are not yet proven. It is sold as a supplement, not an FDA-approved drug.

The science

NMN is a rate-limiting precursor in NAD+ biosynthesis. In a 10-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 25 postmenopausal women with prediabetes (Yoshino et al., Science 2021), 250 mg/day of oral NMN increased skeletal-muscle insulin sensitivity (~25% improvement in glucose disposal) and insulin signaling, though it did not change body weight, blood glucose, blood pressure, or liver fat. This is a single small trial; larger, longer studies are needed to establish clinical benefits and long-term safety. NMN is regulated as a supplement (its regulatory status has been contested by the FDA) and is not an approved drug.

References

• Yoshino M et al., Science 2021