NMN IS AN INGREDIENT THAT IS ATTRACTING ATTENTION FOR ITS REJUVENATING AND ANTI-AGING EFFECTS.
ESPECIALLY IN JAPAN, MANY NMN-RELATED PRODUCTS ARE NOW ON THE MARKET SINCE NMN WAS PLACED ON THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH, LABOR AND WELFARE'S "NON-MEDICAL DRUG LIST" AT THE END OF MARCH 2020 AND IS NOW TREATED AS A FOOD PRODUCT.
However, because it is a relatively new and unfamiliar ingredient, some people may be apprehensive about taking it.
ALSO, SINCE NMN IS ALSO FOUND IN FOODS, SOME MAY QUESTION THE WISDOM OF TAKING IT FROM SUPPLEMENTS ON PURPOSE.
SO, IN THIS ARTICLE, WE WILL INTRODUCE WHAT NMN IS AND EXPLAIN THE USEFULNESS OF NMN SUPPLEMENTS AND WHY WE RECOMMEND THEM. IF YOU ARE NOT SURE WHETHER YOU SHOULD TAKE NMN SUPPLEMENTS, PLEASE REFER TO THIS ARTICLE.
1. NMN IS ATTRACTING ATTENTION FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD
LET'S QUICKLY LOOK AT AN OVERVIEW OF THE NMN AND THE REASONS FOR ITS ATTENTION.
1-1. WHAT IS NMN?
NMN, OFFICIALLY CALLED "NICOTINAMIDE MONONUCLEOTIDE," WAS DISCOVERED THROUGH RESEARCH ON YEAST AND ENZYMES.
IT IS SIMILAR TO VITAMINS (ESPECIALLY VITAMIN B3) FOUND IN THE BODIES OF ALL LIVING ORGANISMS, AND ALTHOUGH IT IS ALSO PRODUCED BY THE BODY, IT DECLINES WITH AGE AND IS SAID TO HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON HEALTH AND BEAUTY.
IN UNDERSTANDING THE EFFECTS OF NMN, ONE MUST KNOW THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NMN AND NAD+ (NICOTINAMIDE ADENINE DINUCLEOTIDE).
NMN TAKEN IN FROM FOOD AND OTHER SOURCES IS CONVERTED TO NAD+ IN THE BODY, WHICH IS AN ESSENTIAL COENZYME FOR ENERGY PRODUCTION; IF NAD+ IS LOST, THE ORGANISM CANNOT SUSTAIN LIFE.
NAD+ IS ALSO INVOLVED IN THE ACTIVATION OF THE SIRTUIN GENE (LONGEVITY GENE), WHICH CONTROLS AGING AND LIFESPAN, AND IS THOUGHT TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ANTI-AGING EFFECTS.
1-2. WHY NMN IS ATTRACTING ATTENTION
NMN FIRST CAME TO ATTENTION IN A STUDY IN WHICH NMN WAS ADMINISTERED TO MICE AND ANTI-AGING EFFECTS WERE OBSERVED.
AFTER FEEDING NMN TO 5-MONTH-OLD MICE FOR ONE YEAR, THE MICE MAINTAINED THEIR METABOLIC FUNCTION, SHOWED NO FAT ACCUMULATION, AND REMAINED ACTIVE AS THEY AGED IN MONTHS. IN ADDITION, AGE-RELATED GENETIC CHANGES DID NOT OCCUR IN MUSCLE, FAT, OR LIVER. FURTHERMORE, THE NMN-TREATED GROUP SHOWED ANTI-AGING EFFECTS, SUCH AS HIGHER INSULIN SENSITIVITY AND MAINTENANCE OF BONE DENSITY, IMMUNE CELLS, AND RETINAL FUNCTION.
IN A STUDY OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, MICE FED NMN FOR 10 DAYS SHOWED A POSITIVE IMPROVEMENT IN COGNITIVE FUNCTION, AND CELL DEATH IN THE HIPPOCAMPUS, WHICH REGULATES MEMORY, WAS RESTORED TO A LEVEL COMPARABLE TO THAT IN HEALTHY MICE.
Many other results have been reported suggesting anti-aging effects, such as prolongation of life span and rejuvenation of body cells.
OF COURSE, THE EFFECTS OF NMN HAVE ALSO BEEN VERIFIED IN HUMANS; IN 2021, THE WORLD'S FIRST PAPER ON CLINICAL TRIALS OF NMN WAS PUBLISHED AND MADE A BIG SPLASH.
THIS STUDY REPORTED INCREASED MUSCLE INSULIN SENSITIVITY AND IMPROVED GLUCOSE UPTAKE FUNCTION IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN WHO TOOK NMN.
IT WAS ALSO OBSERVED THAT GENES RELATED TO MUSCLE REMODELING WERE MORE ACTIVE IN THE GROUP THAT TOOK NMN.
CLINICAL TRIALS OF NMN HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED IN JAPAN, SUGGESTING THAT NMN MAY BE EFFECTIVE IN IMPROVING MUSCLE STRENGTH, MOTOR FUNCTION, AND SLEEP QUALITY IN THE ELDERLY.
2. WHAT IS NMN SUPPLEMENT?
AS MENTIONED EARLIER, NMN IS AN INGREDIENT WITH REJUVENATING AND ANTI-AGING EFFECTS.
HOWEVER, SOME MAY PREFER TO TAKE NAD+ DIRECTLY AFTER IT IS CONVERTED FROM NMN FOR ITS ANTI-AGING EFFECT.
WE WILL NOW EXPLAIN WHY NMN, BUT NOT NAD+, IS USEFUL AS A SUPPLEMENT, THE BENEFITS OF NMN NOT BEING A DRUG, AND THE DOSAGE THAT IS CONSIDERED ADEQUATE.
2-1. WHY NMN, NOT NAD+, IS USEFUL AS A SUPPLEMENT
THE REASON NMN, BUT NOT NAD+, IS USEFUL AS A SUPPLEMENT IS BECAUSE OF THE DIFFERENCE IN ABSORPTION RATE IN THE BODY.
NAD+ IN THE BODY, LIKE NMN, DECREASES WITH AGE, BUT EVEN IF NAD+ IS INGESTED, IT IS RARELY ABSORBED INTO THE BODY DUE TO ITS LARGE MOLECULAR WEIGHT.
IN CONTRAST, NMN, THE PRECURSOR OF NAD+, IS EASILY TAKEN UP BY THE BODY AND IS QUICKLY CONVERTED TO NAD+ AFTER INGESTION.
THEREFORE, TO INCREASE NAD+ IN THE BODY, IT IS MORE EFFICIENT TO TAKE THE PRECURSOR NMN RATHER THAN NAD+ ITSELF.
IN FACT, IT HAS BEEN SHOWN THAT NMN INGESTION RESULTS IN A TEMPORARY INCREASE IN PLASMA NMN LEVELS BUT A DECREASE OVER TIME, WHILE NAD+ IN THE LIVER INCREASES.
2-2. NMN IS NOT A DRUG.
NMN SUPPLEMENTS ARE FOODS, NOT DRUGS.
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) determines whether or not a potential raw material for various products qualifies as a pharmaceutical product, taking into consideration its actual use, toxicity, and various other effects.
Those determined to fall under the category of pharmaceuticals cannot be used in supplements or other health foods. On the other hand, those that have been determined not to fall under the category of pharmaceuticals can be used in supplements as food.
NMN IS AN INGREDIENT THAT IS EXPECTED TO HAVE ANTI-AGING EFFECTS, BUT IT IS A "NON-MEDICINAL PRODUCT" LISTED ON THE "LIST OF INGREDIENT ESSENCE (INGREDIENTS) NOT DEEMED TO BE MEDICINAL PRODUCTS UNLESS CLAIMED TO HAVE MEDICINAL EFFECTS". THEREFORE, PRODUCTS CONTAINING NMN AS A MAIN INGREDIENT ARE TREATED AS "FOOD" RATHER THAN DRUGS.
2-3. HOW MUCH NMN IS THE RIGHT AMOUNT?
Since NMN is not a drug, dosage is not specified. However, it is generally considered ideal to consume 100-300 mg per day.
Clinical trials have been conducted in Japan, and there have been no problems with a daily intake of 1000 mg, but the manufacturer's recommended dosage should be followed.
3. REASONS WHY IT IS RECOMMENDED TO TAKE NMN FROM SUPPLEMENTS AND CAUTIONS
FINALLY, WE WILL EXPLAIN WHY SUPPLEMENTATION OF NMN IS RECOMMENDED AND WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN TAKING IT.
3-1. Efficient intake of required amount
NMN IS ALSO FOUND IN VEGETABLES SUCH AS EDAMAME AND BROCCOLI, RAW BEEF, SHRIMP, AND OTHER FOODS, BUT ONLY IN VERY SMALL AMOUNTS.
For example, to consume 100 mg of NMN, you need about 21 kg (about 33,000 grains) of edamame or 100 kg (about 93 balls) of cabbage.
IN ADDITION, NMN IS LESS EFFECTIVE WHEN COOKED, SO IT IS IMPRACTICAL TO PROVIDE NMN THROUGH DIET ALONE.
HOWEVER, NMN CAN BE EFFICIENTLY INGESTED WITH SUPPLEMENTS, AS NMN IS WATER-SOLUBLE AND QUICKLY ABSORBED FROM THE DIGESTIVE TRACT, AND IS TAKEN INTO THE BODY WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF INGESTION, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO EFFICIENTLY INGEST THE NECESSARY AMOUNT.
3-2. Easy to continue
CONTINUOUS INTAKE OF NMN IS ESSENTIAL TO REALIZE ITS ANTI-AGING EFFECTS.
IN FACT, A STUDY OF ELDERLY PEOPLE IN JAPAN REPORTED IMPROVEMENTS IN WALKING SPEED AND GRIP STRENGTH WITH CONTINUOUS INTAKE OF NMN.
SUPPLEMENTS ARE RECOMMENDED FOR CONTINUOUS INTAKE OF NMN. SUPPLEMENTS CAN BE TAKEN AT ANY TIME AND ANY PLACE, AND MAY BE CONTINUED OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AS PART OF A HEALTHY HABIT.
IN ADDITION TO SUPPLEMENTS, INTRAVENOUS INFUSION IS ANOTHER WAY TO INTRODUCE NMN INTO THE BODY, BUT IT IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CONTINUOUS INTAKE BECAUSE IT CAN ONLY BE RECEIVED BY VISITING A MEDICAL INSTITUTION.
FOR THIS REASON, WE FIRST RECOMMEND AN EASY-TO-CONTINUE SUPPLEMENT TO INCORPORATE NMN FOR ITS ANTI-AGING EFFECTS.
3-3. PRECAUTIONS WHEN TAKING NMN SUPPLEMENTS
ALTHOUGH NMN IS CONSIDERED SAFE, THERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN INGESTING IT.
THE FIRST THING TO KNOW IS THAT NMN IS NOT EFFECTIVE FOR ALL PEOPLE. IN PARTICULAR, YOUNG PEOPLE, SUCH AS THOSE IN THEIR 20S AND 30S, HAVE A HIGH AMOUNT OF NMN IN THEIR BODIES AND MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY EXPERIENCING ITS ANTI-AGING EFFECTS.
IN ADDITION, NMN IS A COMPONENT PRESENT IN THE BODY OF ALL LIVING ORGANISMS, AND SINCE NMN SUPPLEMENTS ARE CONSIDERED FOOD, THEIR USE IN COMBINATION WITH PHARMACEUTICALS IS BASICALLY CONSIDERED SAFE.
However, because of their known effects on insulin sensitivity, it cannot be said that there is no risk of hypoglycemia, depending on the combination of medications. If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are taking any medications regularly, it is advisable to consult your doctor in advance.
PREGNANT AND LACTATING WOMEN AND CHILDREN SHOULD ALSO CONSULT THEIR PHYSICIANS BEFORE TAKING NMN, AS MOST HUMAN CLINICAL TRIALS OF NMN HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED ON ELDERLY PEOPLE AND HEALTHY MEN.
Excessive intake should be avoided, even if the product is known to be safe.
SO FAR, THERE ARE NO KNOWN HEALTH HAZARDS FROM NMN, BUT THE SAFETY OF INGESTING LARGER-THAN-EXPECTED AMOUNTS IS UNKNOWN.
STUDIES IN MICE HAVE SHOWN THAT THE EFFECTS OF NMN ARE NOT NECESSARILY PROPORTIONAL TO THE AMOUNT TAKEN. BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE PROPER DOSAGE AND TAKE NMN SUPPLEMENTS CORRECTLY.
4. Summary
NMN IS SIMILAR TO VITAMINS, AND IT IS BELIEVED THAT A DECREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF NMN IN THE BODY WITH AGING HAS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON HEALTH AND BEAUTY.
NUMEROUS REPORTS ON THE REJUVENATING AND ANTI-AGING EFFECTS OF NMN HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED, AND STUDIES CONDUCTED IN JAPAN SUGGEST THAT NMN IS EFFECTIVE IN IMPROVING MOTOR FUNCTION AND MUSCLE STRENGTH IN THE ELDERLY.
HOWEVER, NMN IS NOT A DRUG. IT IS CLASSIFIED AS A "FOOD" THAT CAN BE USED IN HEALTH FOODS, ETC. THEREFORE, NMN SUPPLEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE.
NMN IS FOUND IN A VARIETY OF FOODS, INCLUDING VEGETABLES AND MEAT, BUT IN VERY SMALL AMOUNTS. IF YOU WANT TO CONSUME IT EFFICIENTLY, YOU SHOULD USE SUPPLEMENTS.
Supplements can be taken at any time and any place, making them easy to maintain.
However, those with pre-existing medical conditions, those on regular medication, pregnant or lactating women, and children who wish to consume the product must consult with a physician in advance.
USE NMN SUPPLEMENTS CORRECTLY FOR DAILY HEALTH AND BEAUTY CARE.
