Unpacking The Benefits Of NMN

The benefits of NMN:

• NMN helps the body produce NAD+, a molecule involved in cellular energy metabolism and other processes that help cells function.
• Increasing NAD+ levels is one of the clearer benefits from human NMN supplementation studies, while other findings are still being explored.
• Research has looked at NMN in areas including physical function, exercise, metabolic health, and healthy ageing, but findings vary between studies.
• There’s currently no strong evidence that NMN provides a distinct set of benefits for men or women, and more human research is needed to understand its long-term effects.

Energy, metabolism, and healthy ageing all have something in common: they rely on processes happening inside our cells every day. NMN is part of this picture because the body uses it to produce NAD+, a molecule involved in cellular energy metabolism, signalling, and how cells respond to different forms of stress¹.

This connection has put NMN on the radar for its role in several areas of health, from energy and metabolic function to cardiovascular health and age-related changes. 

So, what does the research actually tell us? In this guide, we’ll look at the potential benefits of NMN, how it works in the body and where the evidence currently stands. 

A quick refresher on NMN

NMN stands for nicotinamide mononucleotide. It’s a naturally occurring molecule found in the body and in small amounts in certain foods1. NMN is also a precursor to NAD+, which means the body can use it to produce NAD+2. 

NAD+ is found throughout the body and helps our cells turn nutrients into usable energy. It also plays a part in a range of other cellular processes¹ ². Because NMN helps the body produce NAD+, researchers are interested in whether increasing NMN may influence some of the processes that depend on NAD+. 

What is NMN good for?

One of the clearest findings from NMN research is its ability to increase NAD+ levels in the body3. That matters because NAD+ is involved in several of the processes our cells carry out every day, including producing energy from the nutrients we eat. 

NAD+ is also used by enzymes involved in DNA repair, cellular stress responses, gene regulation and metabolism³. This has led researchers to investigate the potential benefits of NMN supplements. 

What are the benefits of NMN?

So far, the research into the potential health benefits of NMN has looked at everything from NAD+ levels and energy metabolism to physical function, and supporting healthy ageing. While research is still developing, some of the NMN supplement benefits being investigated include: 

• Supporting NAD+ levels: Human studies have found that NMN supplementation can increase NAD+ levels⁴. Another study found an association between increased NAD+ levels and improved sleep quality⁵. 
• Cellular energy metabolism: Animal research has explored how NMN supplementation may affect energy metabolism, mitochondrial function and physical activity⁶. 
• Physical function and exercise-related outcomes: One study found that combining NMN supplementation with exercise training improved some aspects of how the body used oxygen during exercise⁷. Other studies have looked at measures such as walking distance and walking speed, with some reporting improvements or maintenance over time⁴ ⁵. 
• Healthy ageing: Interest in NMN and healthy ageing partly comes from research showing that NAD+ levels can decline with age¹. Human studies have explored NMN in relation to physical function and cardiovascular health, although findings are still emerging⁴ ⁸ ⁹. 

Benefits of NMN for women 

When it comes to the potential benefits of taking NMN for women specifically, there’s still plenty we don’t know. Some studies have included women, but there isn’t enough evidence to suggest that NMN offers benefits that are unique to women. 

Some potential benefits may include:

• Improved muscle insulin sensitivity10.
• In animal studies, NMN was shown to reduce inflammatory markers and measures related to ovarian reserve¹¹. 

These early findings are interesting, but they don't yet tell us that women need NMN or that supplementation provides benefits specific to women. More human research is needed. 

NMN benefits for men

When it comes to the potential benefits of taking NMN for men specifically, research is still limited. Some studies have looked at NMN supplementation in older men, but there isn’t enough evidence to suggest that NMN offers benefits that are unique to men.

Some potential benefits may include:

• Increased blood NAD+ levels¹² ¹³.
• Improvements in some measures of physical function, including gait speed and grip strength, although results have varied between studies¹² ¹³.

As with research in women, there isn't currently strong evidence that men need NMN or experience a unique set of benefits from supplementation¹⁴. 

How NMN supports your wellbeing 

NMN plays a role in producing NAD+, connecting it to cellular energy and other processes that help our cells function. But when it comes to looking after your wellbeing, it’s just one piece of a much bigger picture.

Eating a balanced and varied diet, moving regularly, getting enough quality sleep and finding ways to manage stress all help build the foundations for everyday health. Supplements can sit alongside these habits where appropriate, rather than replacing them.

There’s still more to learn about NMN supplementation and its potential benefits, particularly over the long term. As our understanding grows, we’ll get a clearer picture of where NMN may fit into supporting health and healthy ageing.

Want to keep exploring? Visit the Swisse Wellness Hub for more articles like supporting your longevity with healthy lifestyle types and things essential to cellular health. 

References: 

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