In recent years, there’s been growing excitement around NMN – short for Nicotinamide Mononucleotide – as a supplement that could help us age healthily. But is it just another wellness trend, or is there real science behind the buzz?

Here’s what you need to know about NMN and why it’s getting attention as a potential anti-ageing breakthrough.

What Is NMN?

NMN is a molecule that your body naturally produces. It’s closely related to vitamin B3 and plays a vital role in making something called NAD⁺ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide). NAD⁺ is a compound found in every cell of your body, and it helps with things like energy production, repairing damaged DNA, and keeping your cells running smoothly.

Unfortunately, NAD⁺ levels decline as we age, which may contribute to fatigue, slower metabolism, memory issues, and other signs of ageing. This is where NMN comes in—by boosting NAD⁺, it may help reverse or slow down some age-related changes.

The Science of NMN and Ageing

Several preclinical studies have demonstrated that NMN supplementation can:

• Enhance mitochondrial function – improving energy production and reducing oxidative stress.
• Improve insulin sensitivity – potentially beneficial for metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes.
• Support cardiovascular health – by promoting blood vessel growth and improving endothelial function.
• Boost DNA repair – by activating sirtuins, a class of proteins linked to longevity.
• Improve cognitive function – especially in age-related neurodegenerative models.

What Do Human Studies Say?

While most of the early research was done in animals, we’re now seeing promising results in human trials too.

• Older adults who took 250 mg of NMN in the afternoon for 12 weeks experienced improved sleep quality and reduced daytime drowsiness, which may enhance concentration and cognitive performance.
• A 12-week study involving the daily intake of 250 mg of NMN more than doubled blood NAD+ levels in healthy older men and improved walking speed, suggesting that NMN supplementation may help slow age-related muscle deterioration.
• Sugars can react with proteins in a process called glycation, which has been linked to age-related conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Eight weeks of oral NMN supplementation (300 mg daily) in older women reduced glycation in the skin, suggesting a potential reversal of skin ageing.

Is NMN Safe?

So far, NMN appears to be safe for healthy adults when taken in recommended amounts. Human studies using 250–500 mg per day have not reported any serious side effects. Some people may experience mild digestive discomfort, especially at higher doses.

Should You Try It?

While NMN isn’t a magic bullet, it might support healthy ageing—especially when combined with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and good sleep.

The research is still evolving, but if you’re looking for something that targets ageing at the cellular level, NMN is one of the more scientifically backed options available right now.

Holistic Way Premium Gold Bio-NMN range uses NMN sourced from Japan, extracted to be over 99% purity using environmental-friendly enzyme catalysis technology, with no harmful solvent residues. It also includes another powerful anti-ageing ingredient, PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone), which supports the growth of new mitochondria (powerhouses for cells) and improves their efficiency. PQQ also reduces oxidative stress and supports long-term brain and cardiovascular health.

In short, if NMN is like charging your phone battery, PQQ is like upgrading to a newer, faster battery altogether. Take them in the morning for the energy-boosting effects.

NMN isn’t just another wellness trend—it’s backed by emerging science that shows promise for supporting healthy ageing. While more long-term studies are needed, current research suggests NMN could help keep your body and mind feeling younger, for longer.

References

1.      Kim, M., Seol, J., Sato, T., Fukamizu, Y., Sakurai, T., & Okura, T. (2022). Effect of 12-week intake of nicotinamide mononucleotide on sleep quality, fatigue, and physical performance in older Japanese adults: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. Nutrients, 14(4), 755.

2.      Igarashi, M., Nakagawa-Nagahama, Y., Miura, M., Kashiwabara, K., Yaku, K., Sawada, M., ... & Yamauchi, T.  (2022). Chronic nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation elevates blood nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide levels and alters muscle function in healthy older men, NPJ Aging 8 (1) 5.

3.      Morita, Y., Izawa, H., Hirano, A., Mayumi, E., Isozaki, S., & Yonei, Y. (2022). Clinical evaluation of changes in biomarkers by oral intake of NMN. Glycative Stress Research, 9(2), 33-41.

4.      Harris, C. B., Chowanadisai, W., Mishchuk, D. O., Satre, M. A., Slupsky, C. M., & Rucker, R. B. (2013). Dietary pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) alters indicators of inflammation and mitochondrial-related metabolism in human subjects. The Journal of nutritional biochemistry, 24(12), 2076-2084.