NMN Supplement Review: How it works, benefits, side effects, testimonials, and the best NMN supplements

Introduction to NMN and NMN Supplements

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a naturally occurring molecule that plays a vital role in cellular energy production, DNA repair, and other essential metabolic processes. NMN supplements have recently gained popularity for their potential health and longevity benefits. This article explores a wide range of topics, from what is NMN, what are the benefits of NMN supplements, what makes for the best NMN supplement, how to take NMN, and why some individuals have stopped taking supplements, and potential side effects.

What is NMN?

NMN has received a lot of attention over the last few years, with work from scientists such as professor David Sinclair of Harvard University and Professor Shin-Ichiro Imai of Washington University, who have shown in studies that NMN could substantially reduce various symptoms of aging (note: neither professor is affiliated with NOVOS).

NMN is a molecule that occurs naturally in our body and in specific foods like milk and vegetables. However, as we age, levels of NMN decline.

NMN serves as a precursor to another molecule known as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), which is a crucial coenzyme that plays a vital role in various cellular processes. As we age, our bodies’ NAD+ levels naturally decline, leading to age-related health issues. 

For example, NAD+ is an important molecule that enzymes like sirtuins need in order to repair DNA, maintain the epigenome, and prevent other forms of cellular damage.

NMN supplements can help increase NAD+ levels in the body, potentially offering various health and longevity benefits (R).

NMN Benefits For Health & Longevity

Low levels of NAD+ contribute to aging and various aging-related symptoms, including metabolic problems, poor energy, cardiovascular dysfunction, sleep issues, cognitive decline, and many others.

Increasing levels of NAD+ has been shown to restore or slow down various aging-related symptoms and diseases. As a direct precursor, NMN has been shown to be able to increase levels of NAD+ in not only animal studies, but human studies as well.

Scientific studies have shown that NMN can improve many symptoms of aging in various organisms. NMN seems to improve healthy aging by:

• Improving DNA repair
• Improving the epigenome
• Improving heart health
• Increasing skin elasticity
• Boosting muscle function
• Improving metabolism
• Improving aging-related infertility

NMN Supplement Benefits

Promoting Healthy Aging and Longevity

At a general level, taking an NMN supplement may be capable of slowing down the aging process and promoting longevity by maintaining higher NAD+ levels for longer.

Boosting Cellular Energy

One of the primary NMN benefits is its ability to increase cellular energy production by raising NAD+ levels (R). This increase in energy can lead to improved exercise performance, endurance, and overall vitality.

Studies show that orally administered NMN increases stamina and endurance in old mice, by up to 80% (R,R).

Cardiovascular Health

Emerging research indicates that NMN supplement benefits may include supporting cardiovascular health by improving blood flow and reducing inflammation (R).

Immune System Support

NMN supplementation has been shown to enhance immune system function, potentially helping the body combat infections and maintain overall health (R).

Supporting Cognitive Function

Research suggests that an additional benefit from NMN supplements may be enhancements to cognitive function and protection against age-related cognitive decline (R, R).

Many users of NMN experience improvements in cognitive function, making them feel sharper or better able to concentrate.

NMN studies have shown beneficial effects on brain function, like improving cognition and blood flow in the brains of mice (R). 

NMN & Female Fertility

Female mice that received NMN restored the quality of their egg cells, improved ovulation rate, the quality of their blastocysts (the small clumps of cells from which the embryo is formed), and most importantly, increased life births and litter size.

You can learn more about possible NMN benefits for fertility in our article, Can NMN Supplements Restore Fertility?

NMN & Blood Vessel Health

Studies show that NMN rejuvenates aged blood vessels. NMN considerably improves, for example, vascular elasticity in old animals: 

The mitochondria in the cells that line the blood vessels (endothelial cells) stay healthier with NMN. Mitochondria are the power plants of cells. 

NMN improves metabolism

Metabolism declines considerably during aging, leading to an increased risk of many diseases.

Studies show that NMN can improve insulin sensitivity, improve plasma lipid profiles, and reduce aging-associated weight gain, while also enhancing physical activity  (R,R,R,R). 

Other Functions of NMN

In addition to helping with the proper functioning of the epigenome, NAD+ is also needed for PARPs to work. PARPs are important enzymes that repair damaged DNA. When there is not enough NAD+ around, our DNA will be less well repaired, which can accelerate aging and lead to many other problems. 

Mice that were given NMN had significantly less DNA damage (as measured by alpha-H2AX, a biomarker for DNA damage):

In one experiment, mice that got irradiated, which normally leads to huge amounts of DNA damage, killing large amounts or red blood cells. However, when the mice were given NMN, they had significantly higher red blood cell levels compared to irradiated mice that didn’t receive NMN (as measured by hemoglobin levels).

Many other studies show beneficial effects of NMN on aging, often restoring specific aging conditions in old animals to a younger state.

As mentioned earlier, NMN also improves mitochondrial function. Mitochondria are the power plants of our cells, providing almost all energy that our cells need to work and survive. During aging, our mitochondria become more damaged, leading to a multitude of problems. In fact, it’s one of the 12 biological causes of aging.

Additionally, NMN can reduce the levels of inflammation that start to rise during aging, another one of the 12 hallmarks of aging (called “inflammaging”).

NMN can improve stem cell health, helping stem cells to live longer and replicate more. During aging, stem cell levels decline, another hallmark of aging.

In summary, NMN has been shown to mitigate various aspects of aging in old animals.

NMN vs NR Supplements (nicotinamide riboside)

NR (nicotinamide riboside) and NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) supplements are both often touted as two of the most promising supplements to slow down aging.

NR and NMN are precursors to NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). This means NR and NMN can both produce additional NAD+ – though for NR, it first needs to be converted to NMN.

It’s widely believed that NMN supplements are superior to NR supplements. You can read the 15 reasons NMN is better than NR in our article, NMN vs NR | Is NMN A Better Anti-Aging Supplement Than NR?

Dr. David Sinclair & NMN Supplements

Dr. David Sinclair, a researcher in the field of aging, has been a vocal advocate for NMN supplementation as a means to promote healthy aging and longevity. You can learn more about why David Sinclair chooses NMN supplements over NR in our article, David Sinclair and Why He Takes NMN – And Not NR. Note that David Sinclair is not affiliated with NOVOS.

NMN vs NAD+

While both NMN and NAD+ are related, they serve different roles in the body. NMN is a precursor to NAD+, which is a coenzyme essential for various cellular processes. NMN supplements aim to increase NAD+ levels in the body, thus providing health and longevity benefits.

So, why not take NAD+? Unfortunately, NAD+ cannot be absorbed orally or sublingually, so it has to be injected over prolonged periods via IV. This process is time consuming, expensive and even painful, and yields results that may not be as ideal as prolonged oral administration of NMN.

Best NMN Supplements

When looking for the best NMN supplement, consider the following factors:

• Purity: Opt for a product tested for purity with minimal impurities.
• Manufacturing standards: Choose an NMN supplement produced in a GMP facility (Good Manufacturing Practice, an industry standard).
• Formulation: Some forms of NMN are formed as spherical crystals, which improves the stability of the molecule to factors such as heat and humidity.

NOVOS Boost’s NMN adheres to all of these criteria and more. You can learn about what makes for the best NMN supplement in this article.

How Should I Take NMN Supplements?

NMN is orally well-absorbed. Oral NMN supplements are also much more stable in the gut lumen and the bloodstream than other NAD+ boosters, such as NR. In fact, recent studies show that NMN is likely the best NAD+ booster to impact aging.

With that said, you can also take a pure NMN supplement without fillers or excipients, such as NOVOS Boost, and administer it sublingually by opening up the capsules and pouring the contents beneath your tongue.

Liposomal formulations are not recommended for NMN. Here’s why: 

First, all studies done in animals and humans demonstrate beneficial effects of NMN supplementation using non-liposomal NMN.

Second, liposomal delivery means greater absorption at a cellular level. This is typically touted by brands selling liposomal formulas as a positive, which at first glance it seems to be. However, the human body is very smart in determining how much of a specific molecule it wants to absorb, all the way down to the organ and cell. This homeostatic process is disrupted with liposomes. In other words, cells that may not ordinarily absorb the NMN will be forced to do so, as well as cells that would otherwise absorb less, now have more. And we all know the adage, the dose makes the poison. NMN is no exception to the U-shaped dose-response curve (where the sweet spot is somewhere in the middle) and we suggest you leave it to your individual cells to determine how much or how little NMN they need.

NMN Dosage

The optimal NMN dosage varies depending on individual factors such as age, weight, and health status. Current research suggests that a daily dose of 250 mg may be sufficient for most individuals. Some, like Dr. David Sinclair, take as much as 1,000 mg daily. We consider 250 mg to be a good dosage to start with for longevity benefits, and up to approximately 600 mg to reach peak dosage for most people (R). However, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate dosage for your specific needs.

Why Some People Stopped Taking NMN: Side Effects

While generally considered safe, a very small portion of NMN supplement users report minor side effects such as mild gastrointestinal discomfort and headache. Consult with a healthcare professional before starting NMN supplementation.

NMN Before and After

What do most people report after using NMN supplements? Anecdotal accounts show a wide range of benefits, but most often include reports of increased energy, improved cognitive function, and a general sense of well-being after starting NMN supplementation. However, individual experiences may vary.

NMN Supplement Reviews and Testimonials

Before choosing a product, read NMN supplement reviews to understand others’ experiences and determine the most suitable option for your needs.

Here are a few reviews from verified customers of NOVOS Boost:

“I follow Dr. David Sinclair’s NMN research at Harvard and read his book, Lifespan. He made me into an NMN believer. And this is the best price I’ve been able to find from a legit company.” – Jamie B., Verified Customer

(Note that Dr. Sinclair is not affiliated with NOVOS)

“I feel a subtle but real energy when I take Boost. It’s not like a caffeine/stimulant feel, but it’s there.” – Gianni M., Verified Customer

“I don’t think I’ve felt this good since I was a kid – like 6 years old. I have energy from morning to bedtime and sleep reasonably soundly – better than before. Mental focus is the best I’ve had in most of my life.” – Julie G., Verified Customer.

“It’s been more than a year now and I can say I feel noticeably better when I take Core & Boost. I can tell the difference when I forget to take it. I’m in a doctorate program, so I’m constantly researching and taking exams, and find myself better able to sustain energy and focus, and retain information more easily.” – Virginia G., Verified Customer

Final Thoughts on NMN Supplements

As the scientific community continues to explore the potential health and longevity benefits of NMN supplements, it is essential for individuals interested in trying these products to remain informed about the latest research and consult with healthcare professionals to ensure the safe and effective use of NMN.

With the potential to combat age-related decline, enhance cognitive function, support cardiovascular health, and boost the immune system, NMN supplements may indeed play a critical role in promoting overall well-being and extending lifespan. However, it is crucial to select a high-quality product and adhere to recommended dosages to optimize benefits and minimize potential side effects.

As interest in NMN and its potential to improve health and longevity continues to grow, further research and clinical trials will likely provide additional insights and guidance on how to best utilize this promising supplement for achieving optimal health outcomes.

Keep following our blog to stay updated about NMN! 

Learn more about the anti-aging supplement NOVOS Boost, containing high-quality, high-purity NMN