What Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Research Tells Us About This Supplement

As a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional, you want to make sure that the advice you offer to your patients is relevant to their health and will also help them be the best version of themselves that they can be. 

There is a lot to be said about patients supplementing their diet, and one of the most popular supplements that are making its way into many people’s diets is nicotinamide mononucleotide. Is it worth advising your patients that they take this? Here is what the research says!

It’s a NAD Precursor

Nicotinamide mononucleotide, or NMN, is a precursor compound and is implicated in the creation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or NAD. NAD is an essential coenzyme involved in several essential biological processes, including cellular enery metabolism, DNA repair, and mitochondrial maintenance. Additionally, it’s been shown to contribute to the protection against neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s. So, it’s well worth talking to your patients about taking it as a supplement if they have a genetic history of Alzheimer’s or another issue that is linked to age and cognition. 

Anti-aging Effects

As a doctor or nurse, chances are that the majority of the people that you see and interact with are going to be older individuals. Now, no one is about to say that nicotinamide mononucleotide is a way to outrun getting older, but studies with animal models like mice and rats have found that this compound has been linked to slowing and even reversing the rate of physiological decline that a person has. Supplementation with nicotinamide mononucleotide in studies has shown that mice and rats had improvements with a range of age-related markers, such as higher levels of energy mitochondrial function, and, while it isn’t necessarily something that rats and mice worry about, they also had fewer wrinkles!

Metabolic Advantages

Nicotinamide mononucleotide has also been found to have a beneficial effect on metabolic health. It has been linked to improving insulin sensitivity, meaning it may be a great option as a supplement for patients who have diabetes or are pre-diabetic. It has also been found to reduce weight gain as well as enhance lipid metabolism. Once again, this doesn’t mean it is a miracle supplement, but the research into it in 2023 shows that it could be implicated in health issues like obesity and diabetes.

Neuroprotective

Nicotinamide mononucleotide has also been found in animal models to point toward a protective effect against neurodegenerative diseases. Again, this can be linked to Alzheimer’s but also points to improvements in those who have had strokes or may be suffering from diabetes-related brain and cognition issues. 

Cardiovascular Health

Last but certainly not least, nicotinamide mononucleotide has been found to have positive effects on cardiovascular health. The animal models point to potential benefits of improving vascular function and show a reduction in arterial stiffness, both of which will have an obvious and beneficial impact on heart health and reduce the chances of heart attacks.