Supplement
Nicotinamide mononucleotide, or NMN, is a small molecule the body uses to make NAD+, a compound cells rely on to turn food into energy. People mostly look at it for aging muscle and metabolism, but studies found no clear difference in muscle mass, insulin resistance, or walking ability, and the evidence is very limited. Only a handful of small trials exist, so it is too early to say much either way.
Sources: PMID 40275690; PMID 33888596; PMID 36482258
- Updated
- How we grade
- 7 studies cited
- Best evidence
- Grade D
- Conditions studied
- 9
- Outcomes
- 35
- Graded outcomes
- 0008
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insulin Resistance No effect | NoneNo effect | 2 studies | 81 people | |||
Studies that measured insulin resistance
| ||||||
| Walking Ability No effect | NoneNo effect | 1 study | 80 people | |||
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle Mass No effect | NoneNo effect | 1 study | 108 people | |||
Studies that measured muscle mass | ||||||
| Walking Ability | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 109 people | |||
| Strength | Improves (the measure goes up) | 146 people | ||||
Muscle Size Strength
- Muscle Mass
- Walking Ability: improves
- Strength: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle Mass No effect | NoneNo effect | 1 study | 108 people | |||
Studies that measured muscle mass | ||||||
| Walking Ability | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 109 people | |||
| Strength | Improves (the measure goes up) | 146 people | ||||
Muscle Size & Strength
- Muscle Mass
- Walking Ability: improves
- Strength: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle Mass No effect | NoneNo effect | 1 study | 108 people | |||
Studies that measured muscle mass | ||||||
| Walking Ability | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 109 people | |||
| Strength | Improves (the measure goes up) | 146 people | ||||
Atherosclerosis
- Endogenous Advanced Glycation End Products
- Pulse Wave Velocity: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endogenous Advanced Glycation End Products No effect | NoneNo effect | 36 people | ||||
| Pulse Wave Velocity | Improves (the measure goes down) | 1 study | 36 people | |||
General Cardiovascular Health
- Blood glucose
- Insulin Resistance: improves
- Serum NAD+ Levels: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood glucose No effect | NoneNo effect | 513 people | ||||
| Insulin Resistance | Improves (the measure goes down) | 2 studies | 513 people | |||
Studies that measured insulin resistance
| ||||||
| Serum NAD+ Levels | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 513 people | |||
| HbA1c | Improves (the measure goes down) | 513 people | ||||
| High-density lipoprotein (HDL) | Improves (the measure goes up) | 513 people | ||||
| Insulin | Changes; see studies | 513 people | ||||
| Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) | Improves (the measure goes down) | 513 people | ||||
| Total cholesterol | Improves (the measure goes down) | 513 people | ||||
| Triglycerides | Improves (the measure goes down) | 513 people | ||||
| Weight | Improves (the measure goes down) | 513 people | ||||
Metabolic Health
- Blood glucose
- Insulin Resistance: improves
- Serum NAD+ Levels: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood glucose No effect | NoneNo effect | 513 people | ||||
| Insulin Resistance | Improves (the measure goes down) | 2 studies | 513 people | |||
Studies that measured insulin resistance
| ||||||
| Serum NAD+ Levels | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 513 people | |||
| HbA1c | Improves (the measure goes down) | 513 people | ||||
| High-density lipoprotein (HDL) | Improves (the measure goes up) | 513 people | ||||
| Insulin | Changes; see studies | 513 people | ||||
| Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) | Improves (the measure goes down) | 513 people | ||||
| Total cholesterol | Improves (the measure goes down) | 513 people | ||||
| Triglycerides | Improves (the measure goes down) | 513 people | ||||
| Weight | Improves (the measure goes down) | 513 people | ||||
Prediabetes
- Insulin Resistance: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insulin Resistance | Improves (the measure goes down) | 2 studies | 25 people | |||
Studies that measured insulin resistance
| ||||||
Aerobic Exercise Performance
- Anaerobic Capacity: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaerobic Capacity | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 1 person | |||
Studies that measured anaerobic capacity | ||||||
Key findings
- Insulin Resistance
- Walking Ability
- Muscle Mass
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- Grade D
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Studies cited
7 studies from PubMed
- The efficacy and safety of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation in healthy middle-aged adults: a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, dose-dependent clinical trial.
- A Multicentre, Randomised, Double Blind, Parallel Design, Placebo Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Uthever (NMN Supplement), an Orally Administered Supplementation in Middle Aged and Older Adults.
- Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide metabolism and arterial stiffness after long-term nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
- Nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation enhances aerobic capacity in amateur runners: a randomized, double-blind study
- Nicotinamide mononucleotide increases muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women
- Efficacy of oral nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation on glucose and lipid metabolism for adults: a systematic review with meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials.
- The Effect of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide and Riboside on Skeletal Muscle Mass and Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.