The anti-aging molecule NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) is a potential drug that may help combat age-related diseases. Studies show that NMN can help increase physical activity and improve skeletal muscle, immune function and hormone balance.

During aging, our cells’ ability to repair damaged DNA is reduced. This is because aging causes a decrease in the levels of the antioxidant NAD+. A number of proteins need NAD+ to maintain and repair our DNA. By increasing our NAD+ levels, we can slow down the aging process and restore aging-related symptoms.

In older mice, NMN has been found to enhance the production of NAD+ and thereby reduce the onset of aging-related pathologies. It also prevents changes in age-related gene expression in key metabolic organs. It increases circulating soluble oxygen and reduces inflammatory-associated factors. In an animal model, NMN enhanced the oxidative metabolism of skeletal muscles and improved the capillary density.

NMN has also been shown to significantly inhibit the decline in immune function and cognitive performance. However, its effects are only seen in older mice. Moreover, NMN has been shown to reverse the onset of hyperlipidemia in HFD mice.

As a potential therapy for age-related disease, NMN may have positive impacts on heart failure, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. It can also be used to combat obesity-related T2D. A clinical trial is currently underway in Japan.

The anti-aging NMN molecule is believed to have an effect on sirtuins, which have previously been studied as a factor that can prevent aging. SIRT1 has been shown to play a role in glucose metabolism and angiogenesis.