A photo of the PlantPills Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) Powder. For more photos, please see the desktop version of this page here.
Nicotinamide mononucleotide (molecular formula: C11H15N2O8P, CAS number: 1094-61-7, also known as NMN, beta-Nicotinamide mononucleotide or β-NMN) is a vitamin B3 metabolite[1], naturally found in the human body, and in common foods such as broccoli and cabbage in tiny amounts[2].
NMN started to gain interest as a potential nutritional supplement in 2013, after a study conducted by Harvard scientists on mice resulted in a robust correction in age-associated metabolic dysfunction, and restored muscle mitochondrial function in old mice to levels seen in younger control mice, after administering NMN for just one week[3].
When the researchers compared insulin resistance, inflammation and muscle wastage in the muscle of the older mice, they found that these three indicators resembled that of younger mice; some aspects of the aging process were seemingly reversed[4].
This dramatic rejuvenation of old mice as a result of NMN supplementation resulted in many more studies being conducted on NMN in the fields of rejuvenation, anti-aging, life extension, and performance enhancement.
NMN was first produced as a supplement for humans in 2015[5], but was extremely expensive to manufacture, until methods were developed to reduce production costs and increase purity in 2018[6], at which point laboratories geared up for mass production started to come online.
Notable further studies by Harvard scientists have found that when NMN was administered to advanced aged mice, DNA repair capabilities were improved[7], as well as improved blood vessel growth, increased blood flow, and increased endurance[8].
Mice are not humans though, and promising results during trials on mice often do not transpire into positive results in humans. Multiple human trials are currently in progress[10,11,31], with NMN appearing to be safe for humans to consume, and preliminary results are said to be promising[12].
NMN is a precursor to the NAD+ molecule; the human body requires NMN in order to make its own NAD+.
NAD+ is the oxidised form of NAD (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a molecule first discovered in 1906, and found in all living cells[13].
NAD+ levels naturally decline as the body ages[14], by up to 50% in human skin tissue by the age of 40-60[15].
NAD+ is important because it helps maintain healthy mitochondrial function; converting food into the energy needed to sustain the body, and turning off genes thought to contribute to accelerating the aging process[16,17,24].
Preclinical studies have shown a correlation between lower NAD+ levels and some age-related health concerns[18]. This may in part be because lower NAD+ levels reduce the capacity for cellular repair and resiliency, leading to a decline in cardio-metabolic health and a greater risk of neuro and muscular degeneration[19,20].
NAD+ is also critical for repairing broken DNA strands[21,28], for the function of sirtuins, a family of aging and longevity regulating enzymes[22,27], and for an enzyme called CD38, involved in immune function response[25,26].
It is therefore theorised that increasing NAD+ levels and maintaining high NAD+ levels into old age may increase the amount of time spent in good health. However, human trials are required before this theory can be substantiated.
Supplementing with NAD+ itself is not an option to boost NAD+ levels, because it is too big to readily cross cell membranes to enter cells, and therefore would be unable to positively affect metabolism[23]. Supplementing with NMN, a precursor to NAD+, has been shown to increase NAD+ levels in mice[3], and is expected to show increased NAD+ levels in humans when clinical trials are completed, as other NAD+ precursors have done[29,30].
Boosting NAD+ levels with NMN supplementation in aged mice has been a remarkable success, resulting in rejuvenation, the reduction of several markers of age-related degeneration, increased endurance, and even extended lifespan[3,4,7,8,9,33].
One long term study on mice, conducted by the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, found that older mice administered with NMN had improvements in skeletal muscle, liver function, bone density, eye function, insulin sensitivity, immune function, body weight and physical activity levels[9]. They found that young mice naturally produced enough NMN and didn’t see any benefit when supplementing with it; it was specifically older mice who showed dramatic improvement, as their ability to produce NMN had diminished.
The real question though, is what are the potential benefits of NMN supplementation in humans? And the answer is that we don’t know.
As promising as the mice studies are, promising results during trials on mice often do not transpire into positive results in humans. Multiple human trials are currently in progress[10,11,31], with NMN at least appearing to be safe for humans to consume, and preliminary results are said to be promising[12].
When reviewing the studies in mice, it’s important to note the mg dosage per kg of body weight, which is often a lot higher than the equivalent recommended dosage in humans.
It’s also worth noting the length of time that NMN supplementation was administered. A week of NMN supplementation to a mouse could be equivalent to 25-45 weeks in a human[34].
NMN is being marketed by some as a miracle supplement, implying or claiming that benefits seen in studies on mice are to be expected in humans too. While it is possible to an extent, it’s misleading to make such claims at this stage.
There are some impressive anecdotal claims from people who have supplemented with NMN, but until results can be replicated in human trials, claims or promises of benefits to humans from supplementing with NMN can’t be substantiated.
If human trials are able to replicate some of the results seen in studies on mice, the potential implications are significant and wide-ranging, but until then, any hopes of NMN reversing or slowing down aging, treating illness, delaying degenerative diseases or extending lifespan are just theoretical.
We provide high purity, pharmaceutical grade, independently verified nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), for sale in the UK with delivery worldwide, at fair and reasonable prices for a material that is so expensive to produce.
PlantPills NMN is manufactured using enzymatic synthesis (biosynthesis), as opposed to the cheaper chemical synthesis method which produces organic solvent residues that may be detrimental to health.
Nobody should consider taking any NMN supplement if the retailer can’t provide test results from a third party laboratory.
The test results should be from a reputable laboratory that isn’t associated with the manufacturer or the retailer, and should confirm that the product is at least 99% pure nicotinamide mononucleotide, and doesn’t contain any dangerous levels of heavy metals or micro-organisms.
Without third party testing, it’s completely unknown whether the product is what it claims to be, and whether it’s safe for human consumption. Unfortunately the market is rife with fake NMN due to the high price.
Every batch of PlantPills NMN powder is independently verified to have a purity of at least 99%, with no dangerous levels of heavy metals or micro-organisms. The certifications for the current batch are viewable below. The current batch of our NMN powder has a purity of 99.9%.
Pack sizes are 5 grams, 10 grams, 25 grams, 50 grams, 100 grams, 250 grams, 500 grams, 1 kilogram and 2 kilograms.
Different pack sizes are selectable in the basket.
Independent third party Analysis Certificates - current batch
Independent third party Analysis Certificates - previous batches
PlantPills NMN powder is supplied in food-safe re-sealable bags that are clear on one side, with a 0.5ml spoon that holds 125mg of NMN powder when level.
The clear-sided pouch is supplied inside a pouch that doesn’t let any light in, and the clear-sided pouch should be kept inside this pouch.
PlantPills Glass Jars that hold up to 20 grams of NMN are available for purchase in the shopping basket. These can provide a more convenient form of administering the daily servings while keeping the main packet stored away.
Extra spoons or a 1ml spoon that holds 250mg of NMN powder are also available for purchase in the shopping basket.
Some NMN is claimed to be super, special, advanced, or in some way superior to other NMN.
As long as there is third party testing from a reputable laboratory proving the purity is greater than 99%, and doesn’t contain any dangerous levels of heavy metals or micro-organisms, the NMN is the same as any other NMN made to the same standards.
It’s also important to check the amount of NMN per serving, and the amount of servings per pack; for example 0.05g (50mg) per serving, with 30 servings per container, would total just 1.5 grams of NMN per container.
This would last only three days if taking 0.5g per day.
It is sensible for anyone who is new to taking NMN, to initially take just half of one 0.5ml spoon (about 60mg) and monitor themselves for any adverse reactions for 24 hours. If there is no reaction, proceed with supplementation the following day.
Directions: Place under the tongue and allow to dissolve (known as sublingual administration[36]), then swallow. Splitting sublingual dosage into multiple smaller portions throughout the day may increase effectiveness.
Can alternatively be mixed in 100ml of water and drunk, or sprinkled onto food, but bio-availability may be lower.
Note: The best method of administration has been debated. Some very detailed research suggests that the liver may block or limit the delivery of NMN to tissues when taken orally[37], but other research suggests that there may be a transporter gene in the gut, where NMN is absorbed from the small intestine[38].
Sublingual administration can provide absorption via the blood vessels under the tongue, bypassing the digestive tract, and can result in a much more efficient absorption rate, depending on the molecule[39].
It must be noted that in most of the studies conducted with NMN on mice, the administration method was by mixing NMN into their drinking water. Mice drink by repeatedly dipping their tongue into water in order to scoop it into their mouth[40], so some of the absorption is likely to have inadvertently been via the sublingual route.
Recommended dosage: 0.5 grams (4x level 0.5ml scoops) per day.
Upper dosage: 1 gram (8x level 0.5ml scoops per day).
Note: The optimal dosage is unknown at this point, and is likely to be greater the older you are. For reference, Dr David Sinclair, Professor in the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, has been at the forefront of NMN discoveries and experimentation for several years. He is very careful to never give advice or recommendations regarding this[41], but is himself taking 1 gram of NMN per day with yoghurt (as of January 2019), and has been taking NMN for about 3 years[35].
Note: It may be beneficial to take one or two days off per week from supplementing with NMN. There is no evidence to suggest that this is beneficial, but the body can respond positively when given periodic breaks from routine.
Note: A very detailed study into the SIRT1-LKB1-AMPK feedback loop in relation to resveratrol, and the effect of resveratrol on various pathways concluded that using NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) to boost NAD levels will enable resveratrol to be effective[42].
It can also be inferred that because of its indirect SIRT1 sirtuin activation, resveratrol may be needed to see the greatest effects from NMN.
If you are taking prescription medication, consult your doctor before use.
Keep contents in the packet or in a PlantPills Glass Jar until contents are finished. PlantPills Glass Jars that hold up to 20 grams of NMN are available for purchase in the shopping basket. These can provide a more convenient form of administering the daily servings while keeping the main packet stored away.
Re-seal packet after use and store in a cool dry place. PlantPills NMN is stable at room temperature, but can be refrigerated. If room temperature exceeds 24 degrees Celsius, storing in a refrigerator is advisable. Avoid exposing NMN to moisture or high humidity.
Please see the label from our 5 gram pack of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) below.
Taking NMN as a nutritional supplement carries risks; it has only relatively recently been discovered to boost NAD+ levels, so the effect of long term NMN supplementation in humans is unknown. Use at your own risk.
It may be beneficial to take one or two days off per week from supplementing with NMN. There is no evidence to suggest that this is beneficial, but the body can respond positively when given periodic breaks from routine.
If you are taking prescription medication, consult your doctor before use.
Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied diet.
Research around NMN is ongoing and fast moving, so the facts and opinions as they are presented on this site will change with time as more detailed and specific NMN studies are completed.
Please find all sources and references listed below. Archived versions are included in the event that the original material is changed, moved or removed. Please note that none of these sources are affiliated with PlantPills.
For video or audio in addition to these written sources, an excellent overview of NMN, NAD, sirtuins and resveratrol can be watched in the YouTube video here, which was originally streamed live by Joe Rogan on 29th January 2019, lasting 2 hours and 20 minutes. An excellent 30 minute lecture can be found here.
A more in-depth and technical conversation on the subject can be found here, which was recorded by Peter Attia on 5th November 2018, lasting 1 hour and 40 minutes.
| 1 | Nicotinamide mononucleotide, [mirror] From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 2019 |
| 2 | Long-Term Administration of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Mitigates Age-Associated Physiological Decline in Mice, [mirror (PDF)] Kathryn F. Mills, Shohei Yoshida, Liana R. Stein, Alessia Grozio, Shunsuke Kubota, Yo Sasaki, Philip Redpath, Marie E. Migaud, Rajendra S. Apte, Koji Uchida, Jun Yoshino, Shin-ichiro Imai Cell Metabolism, Volume 24, Issue 6, 2016 |
| 3 | Declining NAD+ Induces a Pseudohypoxic State Disrupting Nuclear-Mitochondrial Communication during Aging, [mirror] Gomes AP, Price NL, Ling AJ, Moslehi JJ, Montgomery MK, Rajman L, White JP, Teodoro JS, Wrann CD, Hubbard BP, Mercken EM, Palmeira CM, de Cabo R, Rolo AP, Turner N, Bell EL, Sinclair DA. Cell. 2013 Dec 19;155(7):1624-38. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2013.11.037. |
| 4 | A New—and Reversible—Cause of Aging, [mirror] David Cameron Harvard Medical School, News & Research, December 19, 2013 |
| 5 | A conserved NAD+ binding pocket that regulates protein-protein interactions during aging, [mirror] Li J, Bonkowski MS, Moniot S, Zhang D, Hubbard BP, Ling AJ, Rajman LA, Qin B, Lou Z, Gorbunova V, Aravind L, Steegborn C, Sinclair DA. Science. 2017 Mar 24;355(6331):1312-1317. doi: 10.1126/science.aad8242. |
| 6 | Size Exclusion Chromatography Method for Purification of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) from Bacterial Cells, [mirror] George Cătălin Marinescu, Roua-Gabriela Popescu & Anca Dinischiotu Scientific Reportsvolume 8, Article number: 4433 (2018) |
| 7 | Shinkowa Pharmaceutical: The World's First NMN Dietary Supplement Specialized for Anti-Aging, [mirror] Business Wire 2016 |
| 8 | Impairment of an Endothelial NAD+-H2S Signaling Network Is a Reversible Cause of Vascular Aging, [mirror] Abhirup Das, George X. Huang, Michael S. Bonkowski, Alban Longchamp, Catherine Li, Michael B. Schultz, Lynn-Jee Kim, Brenna Osborne, Sanket Joshi, Yuancheng Lu, Jose Humberto Treviño-Villarreal, Myung-Jin Kang, Tzong-tyng Hung, Brendan Lee, Eric O. Williams, Masaki Igarashi, James R. Mitchell, Lindsay E. Wu, Nigel Turner, Zolt Arany, Leonard Guarente, David A. Sinclair Cell. Volume 173, ISSUE 1, P74-89.e20, March 22, 2018, doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.02.008 |
| 9 | Natural compound reduces signs of aging in healthy mice, [mirror] Julia Evangelou Strait News release, October 27, 2016, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis |
| 10 | Clinical Research Study for Healthy Men and Women 55-80 Years Old, [mirror] Shalender Bhasin, MD Brigham and Women's Hospital, 2019 |
| 11 | Metro International Biotech is developing an extensive portfolio of small-molecule NAD+ precursors that have been shown to increase cellular and mitochondrial NAD+ levels in vivo, [mirror] MetroBiotech, LLC 2019 |
| 12 | Scientists reverse ageing process in mice; early human trials showing 'promising results', [mirror] Sue Lannin ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), 2014 |
| 13 | Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, [mirror] From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 2019 |
| 14 | Slowing ageing by design: the rise of NAD+ and sirtuin-activating compounds., [mirror] Bonkowski MS, Sinclair DA. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2016 Nov;17(11):679-690. doi: 10.1038/nrm.2016.93. Epub 2016 Aug 24. Review. |
| 15 | Age-associated changes in oxidative stress and NAD+ metabolism in human tissue., [mirror] Massudi H, Grant R, Braidy N, Guest J, Farnsworth B, Guillemin GJ. PLoS One. 2012;7(7):e42357. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042357. Epub 2012 Jul 27. |
| 16 | Nicotinamide riboside promotes Sir2 silencing and extends lifespan via Nrk and Urh1/Pnp1/Meu1 pathways to NAD+., [mirror] Belenky P, Racette FG, Bogan KL, McClure JM, Smith JS, Brenner C. Cell. 2007 May 4;129(3):473-84. |
| 17 | NAD+ and sirtuins in aging and disease., [mirror] Imai S, Guarente L. Trends Cell Biol. 2014 Aug;24(8):464-71. doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2014.04.002. Epub 2014 Apr 29. Review. |
| 18 | NAD+ in Aging: Molecular Mechanisms and Translational Implications., [mirror] Fang EF, Lautrup S, Hou Y, Demarest TG, Croteau DL, Mattson MP, Bohr VA. Trends Mol Med. 2017 Oct;23(10):899-916. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2017.08.001. Epub 2017 Sep 9. Review. |
| 19 | Loss of NAD Homeostasis Leads to Progressive and Reversible Degeneration of Skeletal Muscle., [mirror] Frederick DW, Loro E, Liu L, Davila A Jr, Chellappa K, Silverman IM, Quinn WJ 3rd, Gosai SJ, Tichy ED, Davis JG, Mourkioti F, Gregory BD, Dellinger RW, Redpath P, Migaud ME, Nakamaru-Ogiso E, Rabinowitz JD, Khurana TS, Baur JA. Cell Metab. 2016 Aug 9;24(2):269-82. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2016.07.005. |
| 20 | Declining NAD(+) induces a pseudohypoxic state disrupting nuclear-mitochondrial communication during aging., [mirror] Gomes AP, Price NL, Ling AJ, Moslehi JJ, Montgomery MK, Rajman L, White JP, Teodoro JS, Wrann CD, Hubbard BP, Mercken EM, Palmeira CM, de Cabo R, Rolo AP, Turner N, Bell EL, Sinclair DA. Cell. 2013 Dec 19;155(7):1624-38. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2013.11.037. |
| 21 | Nuclear DNA damage signalling to mitochondria in ageing, [mirror] Fang EF, Scheibye-Knudsen M, Chua KF, Mattson MP, Croteau DL, Bohr VA. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2016 May;17(5):308-21. doi: 10.1038/nrm.2016.14. Epub 2016 Mar 9. Review. |
| 22 | It takes two to tango: NAD+ and sirtuins in aging/longevity control, [mirror] Shin-ichiro Imai & Leonard Guarente npj Aging and Mechanisms of Disease volume 2, Article number: 16017 (2016) |
| 23 | Identification of the mitochondrial NAD+ transporter in Saccharomyces cerevisiae., [mirror] Todisco S, Agrimi G, Castegna A, Palmieri F. J Biol Chem. 2006 Jan 20;281(3):1524-31. Epub 2005 Nov 16. |
| 24 | Emerging therapeutic roles for NAD+ metabolism in mitochondrial and age-related disorders, [mirror] Srivastava S. Clin Transl Med. 2016 Dec;5(1):25. doi: 10.1186/s40169-016-0104-7. Epub 2016 Jul 27. Review. |
| 25 | CD38 as a regulator of cellular NAD: a novel potential pharmacological target for metabolic conditions., [mirror] Chini EN. Curr Pharm Des. 2009;15(1):57-63. Review. |
| 26 | CD38 dictates age-related NAD decline and mitochondrial dysfunction through a SIRT3-dependent mechanism, [mirror] Camacho-Pereira J, Tarragó MG, Chini CCS, Nin V, Escande C, Warner GM, Puranik AS, Schoon RA, Reid JM, Galina A, Chini EN. Cell Metab. 2016 Jun 14;23(6):1127-1139. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2016.05.006. |
| 27 | SIRT2 induces the checkpoint kinase BubR1 to increase lifespan., [mirror] North BJ, Rosenberg MA, Jeganathan KB, Hafner AV, Michan S, Dai J, Baker DJ, Cen Y, Wu LE, Sauve AA, van Deursen JM, Rosenzweig A, Sinclair DA. EMBO J. 2014 Jul 1;33(13):1438-53. doi: 10.15252/embj.201386907. Epub 2014 May 12. |
| 28 | A conserved NAD+ binding pocket that regulates protein-protein interactions during aging, [mirror] Jun Li, Michael S. Bonkowski, Sébastien Moniot, Dapeng Zhang, Basil P. Hubbard, Alvin J. Y. Ling, Luis A. Rajman, Bo Qin, Zhenkun Lou, Vera Gorbunova, L. Aravind, Clemens Steegborn, David A. Sinclair Science. 24 Mar 2017 : Vol. 355, Issue 6331, pp. 1312-1317 DOI: 10.1126/science.aad8242 |
| 29 | An open-label, non-randomized study of the pharmacokinetics of the nutritional supplement nicotinamide riboside (NR) and its effects on blood NAD+ levels in healthy volunteers., [mirror] Airhart SE, Shireman LM, Risler LJ, Anderson GD, Nagana Gowda GA, Raftery D, Tian R, Shen DD, O'Brien KD. PLoS One. 2017 Dec 6;12(12):e0186459. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186459. eCollection 2017. |
| 30 | Nicotinamide riboside is uniquely and orally bioavailable in mice and humans, [mirror] Trammell SA, Schmidt MS, Weidemann BJ, Redpath P, Jaksch F, Dellinger RW, Li Z, Abel ED, Migaud ME, Brenner C. Nat Commun. 2016 Oct 10;7:12948. doi: 10.1038/ncomms12948. |
| 31 | Effect of long-term oral administration of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) on human health, [mirror] Hiroshima University, Hakushindo Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd Registered date: 20/01/2017 |
| 32 | Targeting NAD+ in Metabolic Disease: New Insights Into an Old Molecule, [mirror] Elhassan YS, Philp AA, Lavery GG. J Endocr Soc. 2017 May 15;1(7):816-835. doi: 10.1210/js.2017-00092. eCollection 2017 Jul 1. Review. |
| 33 | NAD⁺ repletion improves mitochondrial and stem cell function and enhances life span in mice., [mirror] Zhang H, Ryu D, Wu Y, Gariani K, Wang X, Luan P, D'Amico D, Ropelle ER, Lutolf MP, Aebersold R, Schoonjans K, Menzies KJ, Auwerx J. Science. 2016 Jun 17;352(6292):1436-43. doi: 10.1126/science.aaf2693. Epub 2016 Apr 28. |
| 34 | When are mice considered old?, [mirror] Catherine Hagan, D.V.M., Ph.D. The Jackson Laboratory, News and Insights, 2017 |
| 35 | Podcast Notes: The Joe Rogan Experience – David Sinclair, Ph.D., [mirror] MMiller, podcastnotes.org January 30, 2019 |
| 36 | Sublingual administration, [mirror] From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 2019 |
| 37 | SUBLINGUAL MUCOSA AS A ROUTE FOR SYSTEMIC DRUG DELIVERY (PDF), [mirror] NEHA NARANG, JYOTI SHARMA International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences ISSN- 0975-1491 Vol 3, Suppl 2, 2011 |
| 38 | Slc12a8 is a nicotinamide mononucleotide transporter, [mirror] Alessia Grozio, Kathryn F. Mills, Jun Yoshino, Santina Bruzzone, Giovanna Sociali, Kyohei Tokizane, Hanyue Cecilia Lei, Richard Cunningham, Yo Sasaki, Marie E. Migaud & Shin-ichiro Imai Nature Metabolismvolume 1, pages47–57 (2019) |
| 39 | SUBLINGUAL MUCOSA AS A ROUTE FOR SYSTEMIC DRUG DELIVERY (PDF), [mirror] NEHA NARANG, JYOTI SHARMA International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences ISSN- 0975-1491 Vol 3, Suppl 2, 2011 |
| 40 | The Fine Temporal Structure of the Rat Licking Pattern: What Causes the Variabiliy in the Interlick Intervals and How is it Affected by the Drinking Solution?, [mirror] Lin XB, Pierce DR, Light KE, Hayar A. Chem Senses. 2013 Oct;38(8):685-704. doi: 10.1093/chemse/bjt038. Epub 2013 Jul 31. |
| 41 | This is not an advice article, [mirror] David A. Sinclair Ph.D., A.O. Linkedin Pulse, June 25, 2018 |
| 42 | Resveratrol-Induced AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Activation Is Cell-Type Dependent: Lessons from Basic Research for Clinical Application, [mirror] Lan F, Weikel KA, Cacicedo JM, Ido Y. Nutrients. 2017 Jul 14;9(7). pii: E751. doi: 10.3390/nu9070751. |
To purchase the PlantPills Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) Powder, please see the desktop version of this page here.