NMN Human Studies: What the Research Shows
NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) is a compound the body uses to make NAD+, a coenzyme involved in energy metabolism, DNA repair and cell signalling. NAD+ levels appear to fall with age in some tissues, which has led researchers to ask whether NMN supplementation could make a difference. Most NMN research has been carried out in animals, but a number of small human trials have now been published. Here is a plain-English summary of three of the best known.
1. NMN in middle-aged adults (Huang, 2022)
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial gave 66 adults aged 40 to 65 either 300 mg of NMN or a placebo each day for 60 days.
- What was measured: blood NAD+ levels, a six-minute walking test, a quality-of-life questionnaire and a marker of insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR).
- What was found: NAD+ levels in the blood rose more in the NMN group than in the placebo group. Walking distance and questionnaire scores also improved slightly more with NMN. No serious side effects were reported.
- Points to note: this was a small, short study, and the authors called for larger trials.
- Reference: Huang H. Frontiers in Aging, 2022. doi: 10.3389/fragi.2022.851698
2. NMN and physical performance in older men (Igarashi, 2022)
A 12-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial gave healthy men aged 65 and over 250 mg of NMN or a placebo each day.
- What was measured: NAD+ levels, walking speed, grip strength and safety.
- What was found: NMN raised NAD+ levels in the blood. Some measures of physical performance improved, while others did not change significantly. NMN was well tolerated.
- Points to note: the study was small, and the authors described the results as a basis for further research.
- Reference: Igarashi M, et al. npj Aging, 2022. doi: 10.1038/s41514-022-00084-z
3. NMN in older adults with diabetes (Akasaka, 2023)
A 24-week placebo-controlled study gave older men with diabetes and reduced physical performance 250 mg of NMN or a placebo each day.
- What was measured: grip strength, walking speed, frailty scores and tolerability.
- What was found: NMN was well tolerated, but grip strength and walking speed did not improve compared with placebo.
- Points to note: this was a very small study, and it shows that not every trial finds a measurable effect.
- Reference: Akasaka H, et al. Geriatrics & Gerontology International, 2023. doi: 10.1111/ggi.14513
At a glance
| Study | Amount | Length | Main finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huang, 2022 | 300 mg a day | 60 days | Higher blood NAD+; small changes in walking and wellbeing scores |
| Igarashi, 2022 | 250 mg a day | 12 weeks | Higher blood NAD+; mixed results on physical performance |
| Akasaka, 2023 | 250 mg a day | 24 weeks | Well tolerated; no improvement in strength or walking speed |
What this tells us
- NAD+ levels: several human trials have reported that NMN raises NAD+ levels in the blood.
- Tolerability: NMN has generally been well tolerated in the amounts studied, with mild side effects reported only occasionally.
- Health outcomes: results on other measures are mixed. Studies are small and short, so it is not yet known whether NMN has lasting benefits in people.
Food supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Speak to your GP or pharmacist before taking NMN if you take medication, have a medical condition, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
For more background, see NMN and NAD+: how they are connected.
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