NMN efficacy to increase NAD+ in human blood
Healthy aging has become a topic as the world’s population grows older and the number of elderly individuals becomes larger.
Also known as the “silver tsunami,” the number of individuals over 60 is expected to double by 2050. Accumulating research from the last ten years suggests that enhancing cell energy production (with NAD+ precursors, including NMN and nicotinamide riboside) prevents organ and tissue function associated with aging.
Furthermore, scientists seek to verify whether these precursors effectively improve blood concentrations of the essential molecule NAD+.
The NMN and NAD+ process
One critical element in healthy aging is nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). The body uses this molecule to generate NAD+, which is key to biological processes like cellular energy, metabolic health and the immune system. Moreover, because these functions decline as we age, leading to the onset of all sorts of problems, science continues to look for ways to stem the tide of decline.
Taken orally, NMN is quickly absorbed and transformed to NAD+ [1]. In numerous studies, supplementation with NMN has:
- Boosted NAD+ biosynthesis
- Enhanced mitochondrial function
- Improved insulin secretion and insulin action
- Strengthened neuronal function in the brain
- Dampened age-related adipose tissue inflammation, among others
Latest scientific evidence on NMN efficacy to raise NAD+ in humans
A recently-published study from the University of Toyama in Japan seems to hold promise. It reveals that a daily intake of 250 mg of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) significantly raises blood NAD+ [2].
Printed in Frontiers in Nutrition, the research demonstrated that in healthy humans between the ages of 22 and 64, NMN substantially increased blood NAD+ levels with oral usage of 250 mg per day [3].
Blood NAD+ levels almost doubled, plateaued at roughly four weeks of use, and were maintained for the 12-week clinical trial. No negative blood measurements about white blood cell counts, blood fats, or liver function markers were observed following four weeks of NMN supplementation. There were no adverse effects on blood pressure or body weight as well.
What’s more, elevations in heart rate were firmly correlated with increased whole blood NAD+ levels, signifying that a higher heart rate encourages the metabolism of NAD+, leading to greater NAD+ levels.
Taking NMN almost doubles blood NAD+ levels
The study looked at the NAD+ and NMN levels in whole blood during the 12-week NMN provison. The researchers established that NAD+ levels nearly doubled from over 20 µM to almost 45 µM in blood after four weeks.
These blood NAD+ values plateaued at about week 12 and returned to expected four weeks of stopping NMN supplementation. Moreover, the levels of NMN in blood showed no discrepancies compared with subjects who did not receive NMN, implying that cells almost completely metabolise NMN from the blood. These findings indicate that 250 mg of NMN is quickly metabolised and leads to more or less doubled blood NAD+ levels, which trend toward dissipating after four weeks.
NMN carries no adverse side effects in human beings
NAD+ has a vital role in thousands of biochemical reactions within cells. It also maintains energy levels by supporting the generation of the molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP) – the main energy currency of our cells.
In mouse models, supplementing NAD+ throughout the body protects against the age-related organ and tissue degeneration associated with diseases like Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular and liver disease.
To allow proper physiological function, proteins called poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) consume NAD+ to restore damaged DNA. Other proteins called Sirtuins use NAD+ to regulate gene function, metabolism, and the body’s stress response.
All of these findings regarding NAD+ confirm that raising the cellular abundance of this molecule may hold the key to advancing far healthier aging in humans. Nevertheless, safety becomes a critical factor when it comes to boosting NAD+ in humans [4].
To test whether taking 250 mg/day doses of NMN causes any adverse side effects, the Japan-based research team examined a few critical physiological parameters. They found that 12-week NMN supplementation did not affect body weight, showing no weight gain or loss.
The research team also saw no substantial changes in body mass index, a ratio of body weight over physical height used to measure body fat. Also, blood pressure measurements stayed stable during supplementation process. These data point out that no adverse physiological side effects could be attributed to taking 250 mg daily of NMN for 12 weeks.
The study uncovered whether pulse rate correlated with increased overall blood NAD+ levels. They found a compelling association (R=0.768) between blood NAD+ levels and pulse rates. For instance, subjects with a pulse rate of 100 beats per minute showed about double the blood NAD+ levels likened to those with pulse rates of about 60 beats per minute. These results reinforce the notion that a higher heart rate drives the metabolism of NMN into NAD+.
Conclusive results on NMN require more subjects and longer study durations
There are several restrictions to this research that requires further study. The current one only comprised 15 healthy subjects who took NMN, so future studies with more participants will be necessary to confirm the findings.
While the study results show that NMN increases blood NAD+ levels, this does not necessarily mean that NAD+ levels are increased in any distinct organ or tissue. Other human studies have failed to present that NMN or NR supplementation increases NAD+ levels in skeletal muscle [5]. Therefore, studies in the future should also test whether administering oral NMN increases NAD+ in other organ tissues outside the blood.
In this study, the long-term effects of upgrading NAD+ levels were also not tested. To determine any possible long-term side effects, researchers should examine human metabolic profiles following longer time courses, like years of NMN supplementation, in both healthy and non-healthy subjects.
One of the more fascinating findings of this study is that higher pulse rates are correlated with increased levels of NAD+ blood availability. This finding could mean that acts inducing an elevated heart rate, such as exercising, prompt higher blood NAD+ levels [6].
While studies are still continually investigating their results, supplements can also help boost the NAD+ levels in individuals.
Increase NAD+ in your blood with Elevant Prime and Elevant Optima
Prime was Elevant‘s first offering from 2021. The American brand of NMN supplements strived to bring scientific rigour to the supplements market. It launched Prime after obtaining Self-GRAS (Generally Recognised as Safe) status and the results of an OECD toxicology study on NMN-C [7].
The study, which Elevant says was the first to be undertaken, showed NMN-C as an ‘extremely well-tolerated option’.
In an environment where many suppliers make assertive and overinflated declarations about the effectiveness of their supplements, Elevant concentrates on scientific rigour and analysis and aims to appeal to those who want to see autonomous recognition of a company’s claims before deciding to part with their money.
On the other hand, Elevant has been performing extensive research and investment into NMN supplements over the past couple of years. This work resulted in two major releases last year, one of which, Optima, offers high purity NMN-C in chewable form.
Elevant says this has been optimised to keep you energised throughout the day. The chewable form enable the NMN to go through sub-lingual sensors and to be faster absorbed. Through this route, the cells located around your brain are more entitled to benefits from the NMN directly è It provides an immediate feeling of energy and brain clarity/focus. It works within the cells and promises to maintain day-long energy and focus while sustaining cognitive function, balancing your mood and ensuring better sleep quality.
While the product does promise to offer all the long-term health advantages of NMN, such as better health and longevity, Elevant’s marketing focuses on shorter-term benefits in terms of focus and cognition, which people will be more likely to notice instantly.
In terms of aiming to increase the NAD+ levels in your blood, choosing a supplement that meets your needs will ensure you’re in the most suitable position to experience the countless health benefits encouraging NAD+ with NMN can deliver.
The information included in this article is for informational purposes only. The purpose of this webpage is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7238909/#ref14
[2] https://www.nmn.com/news/nmn-increases-blood-nad-humans
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35479740/
[4] https://www.nmn.com/news/is-nmn-safe
[5] https://www.nmn.com/human-trials
[6] https://www.nmn.com/news/human-trial-nmn-enhances-exercise-endurance-runners
[7] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691521000946
