Health Ingredient Highlight: NMN Deep-dive

In the last few decades, there has been an explosion of innovation around supplements, as our knowledge of human biological processes has advanced. Among these innovations is the discovery of NMN, also known as nicotinamide mononucleotide. 

The NMN molecule has been associated with regulating DNA damage, metabolism, cell-death, and gene expression. As such, NMN supplements in Singapore have been touted as helping or even reversing ageing, along with other benefits to cognition, eye function, unwanted weight gain, and many more. To fully understand how NMN works and why it is regarded so highly, we have to take a deep dive into the chemical itself.

What Is NMN

NMN is produced naturally in our bodies, and in all other living organisms. It can also be found in small quantities in foods such as cucumbers, avocados, cabbages, and broccoli. It is the direct precursor to NAD+, an essential coenzyme required for life and for cellular function. As such, NMN is required to increase the levels of NAD+ levels in cells.

To simplify the relationship between NMN and NAD+, NMN can be thought of as the raw material which our body refines and converts into usable molecules. This usable molecule, NAD+, is responsible for the many benefits of NMN supplementation.

How Does NMN Work?

Now that we know what NMN is, we can take a closer look at how it works. When synthesised into NAD+, NMN plays a variety of key roles in the body. NAD+ is required for several enzymatic processes involved in keeping you alive, fit, and healthy. Two of the most important processes affect your metabolism and DNA repair.

NAD+ is found in relatively large quantities in the mitochondria. It contributes to metabolic processes like glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain. These three processes break down glucose, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins to produce and store energy that can be used by the cell. Low levels of NAD+ leads to less functional metabolism which is often associated with age-related diseases.

DNA repair capacity is also dependent on NAD+ to function properly. Therefore, NMN supplements which boost NAD+ levels in the body can regulate the proteins involved in repairing damaged DNA and ensure that there are fewer damaging compounds that lead to ageing.

Benefits of NMN

Since the amount of NMN we naturally produce decreases as we get older, NMN supplementation can go a long way in fighting several age-related diseases. NMN may improve energy levels, memory and general brain function, metabolism, and reduce the risk of heart disease. Most of these benefits come from the crucial role NMN plays as a biologically active precursor to NAD+.

NMN is also being studied for its role in improving fitness, conditioning, and muscle endurance. It has a positive effect on insulin sensitivity and might help in the fight against diabetes.

NMN supplements are well tolerated with minimal side effects. Research is still ongoing as to the other benefits of NMN and so far there have been promising results that indicate NMN’s potency in warding off many of the physical and mental issues that come with ageing. 

Although NMN can be derived from certain foods, you are unlikely to obtain enough from your daily diet to make a difference. NMN supplements on the other hand contain much higher amounts of the molecule and have been approved in numerous clinical trials.

Interested in NMN supplements and want to know more about s-cell’s range of products? Contact us today with your questions and our team of experts will get back to you with the answers.