NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide)
NAD+ precursor
Also known as: β-Nicotinamide mononucleotide
A NAD+ precursor popular in longevity circles for boosting cellular NAD+ levels. Human evidence is early and outcomes remain uncertain.
Early human RCTs show it raises NAD+ and some metabolic markers, but clinical anti-aging benefits are not established.
Mostly small, open-label, or observational human data.
Intended use
Used to raise NAD+ levels for metabolic health, energy, and healthy-aging support.
Mechanism of action
Serves as a direct precursor in the NAD+ salvage pathway, aiming to restore NAD+ levels that decline with age.
Reported benefits
Raises NAD+
Human trials confirm increased blood NAD+ levels.
Metabolic markers
Some improvement in insulin sensitivity/muscle in early trials.
Well tolerated
Short-term human studies report good tolerability.
Risks & side effects
Uncertain long-term safety
moderate riskLong-term human safety and outcome data are lacking.
Regulatory flux (US)
low riskFDA has questioned NMN's supplement status.
Research & citations
Studies are ordered by design strength. Dots indicate the rigor of each study type — meta-analyses and double-blind RCTs rank highest, case reports and in vitro work lowest.
- NMN increases muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women
Improved muscle insulin sensitivity vs placebo.
Science · 2021 · n = 25
Double-blind RCT - Safety and NAD+ effects of oral NMN
Dose-dependent increase in blood NAD+ with good tolerability.
Frontiers in Aging · 2022 · n = ~80
Double-blind RCT
Legal status by region
Regulatory status varies widely and changes often. Verify against current local law before acting.
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Restricted | Supplement status contested by FDA; availability fluctuates. |
| European Union | Restricted | Novel-food status; not freely approved as a supplement. |
| Australia | Over the counter | Available as a complementary medicine. |
| Japan | Over the counter | Widely sold as a supplement. |
Sourcing & prescribing
Where a compound can legally be obtained, and who is able to prescribe it.
- Gray area
Online supplement vendors
Available online; legal status varies by country.
- Gray area
Longevity retailers
Sold as a healthy-aging supplement where permitted.
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