The importance of a high NAD level for human health and longevity is widely recognized by scientists. This coenzyme plays a crucial role in extending lifespan and preventing diseases. Therefore, researchers in the field of anti-aging continuously strive to find ways to boost NAD levels as people age.
One promising method to achieve this goal could be the intake of NMN. NMN, a naturally occurring molecule converted into NAD in the body, has shown a positive connection to increasing NAD levels in numerous studies. However, it’s important to note that mere correlation does not necessarily imply a cause-and-effect relationship.
Current research results are primarily based on animal studies that demonstrate the supplementation of NMN can indeed increase NAD concentrations in the body.
Study as a Significant Milestone in NMN Research
The title of this research study was “Efficacy and Safety of β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) Supplementation in Healthy Middle-Aged Adults: A Randomized, Multicenter, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group, Dose-Dependent Clinical Trial.” This investigation potentially marks a significant milestone in research. An international team of researchers from the United States, China, the Netherlands, and India collaborated to conduct a clinical study evaluating the effectiveness of β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) in humans. The results of this research were published in December 2022 in the GeroScience Journal, a publication of the American Aging Association.
The main objectives of this investigation were:
- Evaluate the effects of different doses of NMN supplementation on NAD concentration.
- Assess the tolerability and safety of NMN supplementation.
- Evaluate clinical effectiveness through various tests and assessments.
Study Design
The study was conducted as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-dependent, multicenter parallel-group study, which is considered the gold standard in medical research study design. It included 80 healthy middle-aged adults (40 to 65 years) as participants who were randomly assigned to one of four groups. The experimental groups received daily doses of 300 mg, 600 mg, or 900 mg NMN, while the placebo group received placebos. The study lasted for 60 days, and all 80 participants were able to complete it without discontinuation.
Assessments and Tests Conducted: The study included several assessments and tests:
- Safety and Tolerability: Blood and urine tests, as well as physical examinations, were conducted to assess the safety and tolerability of NMN supplementation. The discontinuation rate in the experimental groups was compared to that of the placebo group.
- Blood NAD Concentration: The primary question of the study was whether NMN supplementation could increase blood NAD concentration, which was measured using a colorimetric NAD test kit.
- 6-Minute Walk Test: This test was used to measure endurance and energy levels and was conducted on days 0, 30, and 60.
- Biological Age: The “biological age” of the participants was determined based on a formula using 19 different laboratory test parameters.
- HOMA-Index: This index was used to assess insulin resistance and measure the effectiveness of insulin in the body.
- SF-36 Questionnaire: This questionnaire was used to assess participants’ quality of life and overall health status.
The following conclusions can be drawn from the results:
Insight 1: NMN supplementation appears to be safe and relatively well-tolerated. None of the 80 participants exhibited clinically relevant deviations in laboratory parameters. A total of 9 adverse events were reported, none of which were classified as serious. Six of these events occurred in the placebo group, and no adverse events could be attributed to NMN. It’s also noteworthy that there were no study dropouts during the study, which is unusual.
Insight 2: Blood NAD concentration was statistically significantly increased. In all three experimental groups, the increase in NAD concentration compared to the placebo group was statistically significant. The difference in NAD concentration between the 600 mg and 900 mg groups was negligible.
Insight 3: Walking distance improved in the experimental groups. Walking performance remained unchanged in the placebo group, while all three NMN groups showed significant improvements on days 30 and 60. The 600 mg group even achieved significantly better results than the 300 mg group, indicating that NMN may improve muscle function.
Insight 4: Biological age in the blood was reduced. In all three experimental groups, biological age on day 60 was statistically significantly reduced compared to baseline, while it significantly increased in the placebo group.
Insight 5: Improved perceived quality of life and overall health status were observed in all three experimental groups. These improvements were significant on day 60 and did not significantly differ from each other. In contrast, there was no significant improvement in SF-36 scores in the placebo group.
Conclusion and Possible NMN Dosage
The results suggest that daily NMN supplementation can positively impact various parameters related to health, well-being, aging, and endurance. The difference in the effectiveness of NMN between a daily dose of 300 mg and 600 mg was significant, while a dose of 900 mg compared to 600 mg did not provide significant additional benefit.
