Why This Matters to Us:
As longevity enthusiasts, we're always interested in interventions that can improve our healthspan and lifespan. Metabolic health plays a critical role in overall health and longevity. This study suggests that boosting NAD+ with NMN could be a promising way to maintain metabolic function as we age, contributing to a longer, healthier life.
The Detail:
This study, published in Cell Metabolism, investigated the effects of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation on metabolism in mice. You can find the study here: https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131(24)00399-1
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a coenzyme, a helper molecule, found in all living cells. It’s vital for many biological processes, including energy production, DNA repair, and cell signalling. As we age, NAD+ levels decline, and this decline is thought to contribute to age-related metabolic dysfunction.
NMN is a precursor to NAD+, meaning it's a building block the body uses to make NAD+. The researchers hypothesised that supplementing with NMN could increase NAD+ levels and improve metabolic function in older mice.
The study involved giving older mice NMN in their drinking water for a period of time. The researchers then measured various metabolic parameters, including glucose tolerance (how well the body processes sugar), insulin sensitivity (how well cells respond to insulin), and mitochondrial function (the efficiency of the powerhouses of the cells).
The results showed that NMN supplementation significantly increased NAD+ levels in the older mice. Importantly, this increase in NAD+ was associated with improvements in several aspects of metabolic health. The NMN-treated mice showed improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, suggesting better blood sugar control. They also demonstrated enhanced mitochondrial function, indicating improved energy production within their cells. Essentially, the older mice given NMN started to have metabolic profiles more similar to younger, healthier mice.
While these results are promising, it’s important to note that this study was conducted in mice. More research is needed to determine whether NMN supplementation has similar beneficial effects in humans. Several human trials are currently underway, and we eagerly await the results. If NMN proves effective in humans, it could be a valuable tool for maintaining metabolic health and promoting longevity.
Further research needs to explore the optimal dosage, long-term effects, and potential side effects of NMN supplementation in humans. It’s also important to understand how NMN interacts with other lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise. Although exciting, it’s crucial to approach these findings with cautious optimism while we await further research. However, this study provides a compelling rationale for further investigation into the potential of NMN as a longevity intervention. It reinforces the importance of maintaining NAD+ levels for healthy ageing and offers a potential avenue for achieving this goal.