NMN is considered a new miracle cure in the anti-aging scene and has recently become freely available in Germany. Does it really make you younger and healthier? FITBOOK asked a scientist who deals with the topic.
Radiant skin, more energy, better blood values, increased performance or women whose periods started once more following the menopause – in Internet forums users report all sorts of amazing things regarding the new anti-aging product NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide). In capsule or powder form, the fountain of youth supplement has recently also been approved in Germany (although not yet officially for consumption) and is triggering a real hype. FITBOOK has with the Molecular geneticist and aging researcher Prof. Christoph Englert talked regarding whether NMN really is the anti-aging miracle it’s touted for, how it works in the body, and what consumers can hope for from it. Just so much in advance: NMN is currently one of the most promising substances for aging research.
Why NMN is different from other anti-aging supplements
Just a few years ago, when asked whether dietary supplements can slow down aging, most aging researchers would have answered the same: No! Everything that the market offers is usually money-making or even potentially dangerous: “That was always my answer,” says Englert. The expert in molecular genetics at the Leibniz Institute for Aging Research in Jena deals with how genes influence aging and what aging actually is. As far as NMN is concerned, he sees potential, even if the active ingredient is far from being fully researched. “NMN becomes NAD+ (Nicotinamid-Adenin-Dinukleotid, Anm. d. Red.) converted,” he explains. “And NAD+ is an endogenous substance.” Young people have a lot of it, with advancing age the level decreases. How much NAD+ is present or not therefore also has something to do with the aging process. And: Among other things, there are studies that have been able to prove that mice that have been administered NMN live longer.
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What science knows regarding the anti-aging effects of NMN
Getting a little technical now, the following illustrates what makes NMN so special when it comes to anti-aging. The molecule NMN acts as a precursor to NAD+. This essential co-enzyme ensures healthy cell function, including metabolism, DNA repair and cell growth. More precisely, it is involved in many redox reactions and thus in numerous biological processes. A young, healthy organism has higher NAD+ levels than an older one. It is now possible to return to more youthful NAD+ levels using externally supplied MNM. Because the intestine is able to absorb NMN and make it available to the cells in various ways. So they are fooled into thinking they are younger than they are. The effect: The normal aging processes and the development of age-related diseases (Diabetes, Alzheimer, cardiac insufficiency etc.) are apparently slowed down – at least this has been proven in animal experiments.1 So far the science, so far secured.
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What consumers can expect from NMN
“And that’s regarding it,” says Englert. “NMN actually works in our cells. There are just no scientific studies on what exactly it does there.” He and his colleagues assume that NMN can bring the cells back to a younger level and that their internal processes are therefore more efficient, but how in detail it is still unclear a mystery. However, what the aging researcher is convinced of: “MNM is safe and well tolerated. There are no known side effects. What the body cannot absorb, it will probably excrete once more.” With some anti-aging powders, caution is advised. “They are suspected of being carcinogenic.” According to the current state of knowledge, the consumer has nothing to fear from NMN. In the worst case nothing happens at all, in the better case there is a placebo effect and the intake may even have a respectable anti-aging effect. “There are still many holes in the science in this regard. But there is a lot of evidence that NMN has positive properties.”
David Sinclair, the well-known anti-aging scientist at Harvard University whose research on resveratrol, NAD+ and sirtuins is world famous, explains in his reports: “My lipid profile has improved dramatically and my blood levels are closer to those of a 31 year old in my 60s -year-olds.”2 However, according to Englert, one should not expect miracles.
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How the fountain of youth molecule performs in animal studies
In humans, the study situation is still rather meager. But that is likely to change in the near future. In the animal kingdom, things are quite different. As early as 2017, Chinese researchers demonstrated that NMN not only stopped the progression of Alzheimer’s in mice, but was able to reverse it.3 That is, plaque formation and synapse loss decreased significantly. In another study, the scientists found that NMN improved glucose intolerance in rodents suffering from adult-onset diabetes, along with a reduction in inflammation levels and oxidative stress.4 And these are just two of many studies. In short: NMN seems to have a demonstrable anti-aging effect in animals.
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The proof of the pudding is in the eating – that’s what the scientist advises on dealing with MNM
So there is nothing wrong for the scientist trying out NMN for himself. The only disadvantage: It is comparatively expensive and you should make sure that the dealer is trustworthy and offers a pure product. In other words: a 30 gram pack (enough for two months) costs at least 60 euros. “My advice would be to only take NMN at an advanced age, i.e. shortly before menopause or when testosterone levels are low.” Then initially only for two to four weeks. You should also keep a close eye on how you are doing and whether anything is happening. “And if I notice that I’m doing really well, I’m happy to continue. But I would advise once morest taking it chronically.” Incidentally, manufacturers recommend putting 0.5 grams of powder under your tongue on an empty stomach in the morning until it has completely dissolved.
Englert, who is very critical of all dietary supplements due to his profession, notes at the end: “If I had to take one substance, it would only be NMN. I’m even considering ordering one in the near future. Some of my colleagues are already taking it.” Incidentally, a higher NAD+ level can be achieved more cheaply and just as effectively with fasting.
