β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide: Benefits and Side Effects

β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) is one of the key precursors of coenzyme I (NAD+). β-NMN is widely present in various organisms, and the β-isomer is its active form. Studies have shown that β-NMN plays a key role in a variety of physiological and metabolic processes, and has been shown to be effective in slowing down aging, repairing DNA and ameliorating metabolic diseases.

Benefits of β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide

Anti-ageing

Numerous studies have shown that increasing NAD+ levels increases insulin sensitivity, reverses mitochondrial dysfunction, and extends life span. NAD+ levels can be increased by activating enzymes that stimulate NAD+ synthesis, inhibiting enzymes that degrade NAD+ (CD38), and supplementing with NAD precursors including nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). Therefore, NMN supplementation is an effective nutraceutical anti-aging intervention with benefits for a variety of physiological functions.

Neuroprotection

Amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers are considered to be the major neurotoxic substances in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Impaired brain energy metabolism and oxidative stress are associated with cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. Studies have shown that NMN can restore cognitive performance in AD model rats.The beneficial effects of NMN are produced by improving neuronal survival, improving energy metabolism, and reducing ROS accumulation.NMN is a potentially effective drug for the treatment of AD.

Promoting cell proliferation and hair growth

In a study of the effect of NMN on hair growth in mice, the results showed that NMN reversed dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced follicular atrophy, hair thinning, and hair thinning states compared to minoxidil. The mechanism of action of hair growth is related to the reduction of oxidative stress and related inflammatory factors.

Promoting intestinal health

NMN can improve intestinal epithelial cell pathology and intestinal permeability by up-regulating the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins and the number of thrush cells, increasing the release of anti-inflammatory factors, and increasing beneficial intestinal bacteria. Supplementation with NMN may delay frailty in old age, aid healthy ageing and slow intestinal ageing.

In addition, NMN has benefits such as preventing heart disease and cancer and improving the quality of in vitro-frozen ram sperm.

Side Effects

NMN is safe and well-tolerated in healthy adult males and females aged 20-65 years at an oral dose of 1250 mg once daily for 4 weeks without serious adverse events. However, NMN users may experience mild side effects including abdominal pain, diarrhoea, flatulence and upper respiratory health problems.

References:

[1] XU C, DAI J, AI H, et al. β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Promotes Cell Proliferation and Hair Growth by Reducing Oxidative Stress[J]. Molecules, 2024. DOI:10.3390/molecules29040798.

[2] XIAONAN WANG . Nicotinamide mononucleotide protects against β-amyloid oligomer-induced cognitive impairment and neuronal death[J]. Brain Research, 2016. DOI:10.1016/j.brainres.2016.04.060.

[3] GU Y, GAO L, HE J, et al. β-Nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation prolongs the lifespan of prematurely aged mice and protects colon function in ageing mice†[J]. Food & Function, 2024. DOI:10.1039/D3FO05221D.

[4] YUICHIRO FUKAMIZU. Safety evaluation of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide oral administration in healthy adult men and women.[J]. Scientific Reports, 2022. DOI:10.1038/s41598-022-18272-y.