Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN)
Nicotinamid mononukleotid (NMN) is a naturally occurring compound found in the cells of our bodies and is closely related to NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide), a coenzyme essential for various cellular processes, including energy metabolism, DNA repair, and cellular signaling. The decline of NAD+ levels has been associated with aging and various age-related diseases.
Key points about NMN include:
- Precursor to NAD+: NMN is a direct precursor to NAD+, meaning it plays a critical role in producing this essential coenzyme. By supplementing with NMN, researchers hypothesize that we can boost NAD+ levels in the body.
- Potential Anti-Aging Properties: Preliminary studies, primarily in mice, suggest that NMN supplementation can confer various health benefits, such as improved energy metabolism, enhanced DNA repair, and potentially slowed aging processes.
- Safety and Dosage: While NMN shows promise, comprehensive studies on its long-term safety, effective dosage, and potential side effects in humans are ongoing.
- Natural Sources: NMN is found in several food sources, including broccoli, cabbage, cucumber, avocados, and edamame, albeit in small quantities.
- Research Frontier: NMN and its impact on longevity is an active area of research, with new findings and insights emerging regularly.
When to Take
Our body has a natural rhythm where NAD levels fluctuate throughout the day rather than remaining constant, closely tied to our circadian rhythms. A study by Shin Imai and his team highlighted that NAD plays a crucial role in regulating our body's internal clock. The sirtuin gene, which is influenced by NAD, signals our body when it's time to eat or sleep.
For those considering NMN supplementation, it's recommended to take NMN in the morning when NAD level is naturally going up. Taking NMN e.g. at night might disrupt the NAD cycle and potentially affecting the sleep and overall well-being. This can be especially beneficial for frequent travelers trying to adjust to a new time zone, as a morning dose of NMN can help reset the body's internal clock and reduce jet lag. [1]
Combining with TMG
NMN in food
NMN is present in various types of natural food. [2]
| Food Type | Name | mg/100g-Food |
|---|---|---|
| vegetable | edamame | 0.47–1.88 |
| vegetable | broccoli | 0.25–1.12 |
| vegetable | cucumber seed | 0.56 |
| cucumber peel | 0.65 | |
| vegetable | cabbage | 0.0–0.90 |
| fruit | avocado | 0.36–1.60 |
| fruit | tomato | 0.26–0.30 |
| other | mushroom | 0.0–1.01 |
| meat | beef (raw) | 0.06–0.42 |
| seafood | shrimp | 0.22 |