NMN

The Longevity Ingredient That is Changing the Game

Famed Hollywood thespian Frances McDormand once commented, “With ageing, you earn the right to be loyal to yourself.” Indeed, as we become older, we owe it to ourselves to fight against the effects of ageing, and find ways to live longer and healthier. A large part of this involves taking in the right nutrients and compounds to improve our health, and strengthen or rejuvenate our body. For this purpose, researchers have been focusing on a growing list of promising compounds that may help to fight ageing and improve elderly health.

The Prime Longevity Series is a new series of articles dedicated to looking at compounds and ingredients that may help us to age healthily and gracefully. One ingredient that has captured the attention of scientists and wellness enthusiasts alike in recent times is Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN). Known for its potential to enhance cellular energy, improve metabolism and combat ageing, NMN is often heralded as a revolutionary breakthrough in longevity science. But what exactly is NMN, how does it work, and what does the evidence say about its potential benefits for human health and lifespan?

WHAT IS NMN?

Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) is a naturally occurring molecule found in every living cell that helps to power your body. It is a type of molecule called a nucleotide. Nucleotides play many roles in our body, including being the building blocks of DNA. It is a precursor to Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+), a co-enzyme that plays a critical role in many biological functions, particularly energy metabolism. NAD+ is essential for the conversion of nutrients into energy, DNA repair, cellular defence mechanisms, and regulating circadian rhythms. As we age, the levels of NAD+ in our bodies decline, leading to a decrease in cellular function and an increase in the hallmarks of ageing, such as fatigue, inflammation and metabolic imbalances.