It may also be prospective as a tool for healthy aging. Studies have shown it to reduce oxidative stress which, over time, can contribute to the development of cancers and premature aging. 

So, if you’re concerned about aging gracefully or hoping to boost cognitive function and physical activity, continue reading below.  

Why Take This Supplement?  

NMN is a byproduct of vitamin B3 and has a range of beneficial effects. The main reason to take this nutrient, though, is to boost your NAD+ levels. 

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a crucial coenzyme that supports cellular energy production. But as people age, these NAD+ levels gradually decline. “By middle age, our NAD+ levels have plummeted to half that of our youth,” confirms an article from Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal. Thus, a reduction of NAD+ is linked to the characteristics of aging, such as the formation of metabolic diseases, wrinkles, muscle weakness, and memory loss. Nevertheless, Integrative Medicine points out, “Numerous studies have demonstrated that boosting NAD+ levels increases insulin sensitivity, reverses mitochondrial dysfunction, and extends lifespan.”

One way to augment NAD+ is by supplementing with precursors. Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is an example, and our fact sheet “What Is Nicotinamide Riboside?” may interest you. NMN is another precursor to NAD+, and when consumed orally, it’s converted and absorbed in the body as NAD+.   

NMN’s Key Health Benefits

NMN shows promise in nurturing an improvement in energy levels, natural cell and DNA repair, and more. Below, we list some science-backed beneficial effects: 

• • As explained earlier, there may be anti-aging benefits to taking NMN as a NAD+ precursor. This is because “… mitochondrial decay, which is responsible for aging, can be reversed by the increased levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) in the body,” confirms a Journal of Advanced Research article. On a cellular level, NMN may support collagen production, thereby helping to smoothen wrinkles and protect the skin barrier from pollutants. 
  • One study published in Science (New York, N.Y.) revealed that taking 250 mg of NMN daily boosted insulin sensitivity in postmenopausal women struggling with obesity and/or prediabetes. The study lasted for 10 weeks. 
  • A study from Advances in Nutrition showed “…that physical training combined with oral NMN administration could be a new strategy to improve athletes’ performance.” The study oversaw 48 recreational runners in China between the ages of 27-50 as they performed aerobic training and took NMN as an oral supplement. The study took place for six weeks and led to significant boosts in energy and oxygen consumption. 

NMN can be sourced from various foods, such as avocados, broccoli, cucumbers, edamame and cow’s milk. However, the amount of NMN in food is minimal, so taking it as a supplement may be advantageous for nurturing positive effects.  

Is This Supplement Right for You?

NMN is available in the form of capsules and powders. Scientists suspect that possible mild side effects may occur, so it’s wise to confirm if NMN is compatible with your health status. A functional medicine practitioner can determine whether or not NMN can interact with your prescriptions or supplements. And if you’re in search of an integrative functional clinic, we have news – the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre is accepting new patients! By tailoring treatment plans, we can help you prepare for specific health goals, such as improving muscle function for athletic performance. Book your initial consultation today. 

Suggested reading: A NAD IV Therapy Toronto Fact Sheet: What Is Nicotinamide Riboside?

How to Get Our Functional Medicine Treatments and NAD Drip Therapies 

If you’re stuck in your wellness journey, our functional medicine approach to health may be valuable for your needs! Our experienced health team aims to explore the root of your chief issues with lab tests and custom therapies. 

Our functional medicine treatments integrate modalities to personalize a treatment plan for your uniqueness. We can amalgamate Western and naturopathic medicine with holistic nutrition, herbal medicines, hormone replacement therapies, IV infusion therapy (also called intravenous therapy), acupuncture, and other modalities. These tailored therapies may be suitable for managing several health concerns, including metabolic health needs, age-related disease symptoms (i.e. memory loss), chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune diseases, mood stability, cellular/mitochondrial dysfunction, and more. 

To further support patient needs, we administer intravenous therapy in our IV Lounge. Our intravenous drips do not contain preservatives and we freshly blend them on-site. Ask us about our Toronto lounge menu anytime! Currently, we offer a wide range of intravenous nutrients next to IV NAD+, such as vitamin A, several amino acids (including glutamic acid), B vitamins, folic acid, and more. Nutritional booster shots can be prescribed, too, for upping vitamin D, glutathione, or vitamin B6 levels. 

We can guide you to augment NAD levels through oral, sublingual or intravenous routes; a NAD+ nasal spray is also an option. So together, let’s find out how this essential coenzyme can improve your quality of life!  

New patients can access our IV Lounge today. Request your initial visit to customize your IV drip – reach us right now for NAD IV therapy at the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

References

Karakelides, H., Irving, B. A., Short, K. R., & Nair, K. S. (2009). Age, Obesity, and Sex Effects on Insulin Sensitivity and Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Function. Diabetes, 59(1), 89. https://doi.org/10.2337/db09-0591

Liao B, Zhao Y, Wang D, Zhang X, Hao X, Hu M. Nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation enhances aerobic capacity in amateur runners: a randomized, double-blind study. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2021 Jul 8;18(1):54. doi: 10.1186/s12970-021-00442-4. PMID: 34238308; PMCID: PMC8265078.

Nadeeshani, H., Li, J., Ying, T., Zhang, B., & Lu, J. (2022). Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) as an anti-aging health product – Promises and safety concerns. Journal of Advanced Research, 37, 267-278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2021.08.003

Poddar SK, Sifat AE, Haque S, Nahid NA, Chowdhury S, Mehedi I. Nicotinamide Mononucleotide: Exploration of Diverse Therapeutic Applications of a Potential Molecule. Biomolecules. 2019 Jan 21;9(1):34. doi: 10.3390/biom9010034. PMID: 30669679; PMCID: PMC6359187.

Shade, C. (2020). The Science Behind NMN–A Stable, Reliable NAD+Activator and Anti-Aging Molecule. Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal, 19(1), 12. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7238909/

Song, Q., Zhou, X., Xu, K., Liu, S., Zhu, X., & Yang, J. (2023). The Safety and Antiaging Effects of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide in Human Clinical Trials: An Update. Advances in Nutrition, 14(6), 1416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advnut.2023.08.008

Yoshino, M., Yoshino, J., Kayser, B. D., Patti, G. J., Franczyk, M. P., Mills, K. F., Sindelar, M., Pietka, T., Patterson, B. W., Imai, I., & Klein, S. (2021). Nicotinamide mononucleotide increases muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women. Science (New York, N.Y.), 372(6547), 1224. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abe9985