Main Image Courtesy of NMN.
NMN, short for nicotinamide mononucleotide, is a molecule that occurs naturally in every life form. NMN is a ribo-nucleotide at the molecular level, which is a structural unit of the nucleic acid RNA. What’s most important about NMN is that it acts as a direct precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), an essential molecule. NAD+ is a molecule that has been proven to slow down certain aspects of aging. NAD+ is also required for life and other cellular functions, assisting with electron transport, cell signaling, and DNA repair.
Raising levels of NAD+ can offer some impressive results, including helping those with age-related disease and offering some great anti-aging properties. Common age-related illnesses may include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration, and decreases in the immune system overall. Since NMN works to build these NAD+ levels, you may find it beneficial to increase your intake of the molecule.
In this article, I will guide you through points that include:
- Foods that contain high amounts of NMN
- How to find the best NMN supplements
- Some of the best NMN supplements you can find today
Foods with NMN
The good thing about NMN intake is that it is already found in many of the fruits and vegetables we may already be consuming. While the levels of NMN in foods may not be as high as the levels found in the actual NMN supplements, consuming them daily can work tothe get more in intake.
Broccoli and Cabbage
Broccoli and cabbage are both great sources of NMN, along with other vitamins and minerals. Every 100g of broccoli and cabbage contains 0.25- 1.12 mg and 0.00 -0.90mg of NMN. It was also revealed by the Washington School of Medicine that the NMN found in broccoli can also fight to resist aging-related muscle, skeletal deterioration, weight gain, and can even improve eyesight and insulin sensitivity.
Tomatoes
Whether you want to think of a tomato as a fruit or vegetable, there are many health benefits found no matter what. Tomatoes contain around 0.26-0.30 of NMN in every 100 grams. Some important vitamins are also found, such as vitamins A, K, C, potassium, and folate. Don’t like eating tomatoes by themselves? Consider trying out fresh tomato juice or tomato cream soup instead. Yum!
Edamame
Immature vegetables and baby greens are some of the most healthy foods to incorporate into your diet. An example of an immature vegetable would be edamame, which is an immature soybean similar to broccoli sprouts. A cup of edamame carries 0.37-1.68mg of daily NMN, along with 33% of protein and 120% of daily folate. Slow aging benefits of edamame include the protection of our immune systems, cardiovascular health, cognitive function, along with acting as a strong antioxidant.
Other common foods that contain NMN are mushroom, beef, and shrimp. Even though these foods contain trace amounts of NMN, between 0.01 and 0.42, they can still contribute to the intake of NMN.
NMN Supplements + How to Find the Perfect Option
NMN supplements are most ideal for those seeking to get the highest level of NMN possible. You should do a little bit of research on your own when finding the best NMN supplement, that will agree with your body and provide the best value overall. Check out a couple different factors to look out for when searching for NMN supplements.
Reputation of a Company
When looking for high quality NMN, you will want to look for a high quality supplier as well. Do a little bit of research online into a couple different companies, and you should look for good reviews and ratings across a variety of different platforms.
Good Manufacturing Practices
A valid NMN supplier should have operating methods that are ethical when it comes to the manufacturing. Facilities should be FDA-registered and FDA-compliant in Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) regulations. Another factor that might be worth looking into is the climate of the facility. A facility should be climate controlled, so that the NMN supplements wouldn’t degrade at high temperatures.
Figuring Out the Supplement Right for You
NMN can be purchased as a power, lozenge, tablet, and capsule. Each of these will react with your system in a different way, so everything will typically come down to personal preference. Tablets and capsules can be difficult to swallow for many, so a powder or lozenge might be the ideal choice. NMN will typically be absorbed into the blood from the gut in 2-3 minutes, while being absorbed completely into the tissue in just 15 minutes. NMN will then be stored as NAD+ once in the liver, persisting for around 30 minutes.
Pricing
We are all tempted to try and save money at one point or another, but you get what you pay for when it comes to NMN. Lower costing options will not give the same benefits as some higher priced options that will most likely be up to pharmaceutical standards.
Best NMN Supplements of 2022
NMN supplements have increased in popularity over recent years, with the market being expected to grow to $386 million by the year of 2027. Since there is such an increased desire for NMN, it may be a challenge to navigate through all the different products that are out there. Here are some of the best NMN supplements according to some of the criteria listed above!
Wonderfeel Youngr
Youngr is a supplement by the company known as Wonderfeel that is designed more for an advanced take on NMN. Wonderfeel’s mission is to provide a unique solution to aging, that’s based on the most cutting edge science. Youngr NMN is a patented formula that was designed by a Harvard Med entrepreneur, Dr. Andrew Salzman. Dr. Salzman has over three decades of experience in the world of biomedical drug discovery and development, which has been backed by a recent human clinical trial. Youngr uses a multi targeted approach to slow down biological aging along the cellular level.
What exactly does Youngr contain?:
- Ergothioneine: a “longevity vitamin”
- Antioxidants: Youngr offers 100 mg of the antioxidant known as resveratrol
- Hydroxytyrosol: Ingredient found in olive oil that can serve two different purposes: both a neuroprotector and cellular antioxidant defense.
Youngr is also one of the highest doses in NMN you can find on the market. A 900 mg dose is contained in just two of the capsules.
Elevant NMN-C
A proprietary form of NMN has been discovered by Elevant, in partnership with the Buck Institute and Seneque Lab. According to the president of the Buck Institute, Dr. Eric Verdin, the NMN used in this product is “most likely to be purer and more efficient at raising NAD+ levels” by using a fully synthetic process. Another important thing to note about NMN-C is that it’s actually used in human trials, which means that all clinical levels of safety, purity, and quality are met. NMN-C is also currently the only pharma grade NMN that’s available in the market today.
Elevant currently has two different types of products you can choose from: Prime capsules and chewable tablets.
- Elevant Prime Capsules: These capsules hone in on cellular repair to decrease some of those risks associated with developing metabolic diseases, providing your cells with the energy and fuel needed to attack some of those infections.
- Elevant Optima Chewable Tablets: These tablets work to deal with issues like decreased energy and focus. These tablets enter your body through sublingual sensors that allow the NMN-C to operate as quickly as possible and promote brain clarity along with enhanced cognitive functions.
Quicksilver Scientific: NAD+ Platinum
NAD+ Platinum NMN by Quicksilver Scientific is a great liquid dosing option to receive all of your NMN needs. This supplement uses a technology that will actually imitate the way your body transports NMN, and acts a build on from the NAD+ Gold NMN boost. This type of delivery will work to get the ingredients where they need to be in the most efficient way possible. Vitamin B12 and riboflavin are among the active ingredients that work to provide all sorts of anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and even antioxidant benefits. Because you will be taking in a liquid dose, you will receive the results as quickly as possible. The three pillars of anti-aging supplements also include NAD+, sirtuin, and methylation. All ingredients are completely vegan and Non-GMO.
Elysium Signal
NAD+ plays a critical role in the reactions that take place within the mitochondria. The mitochondria is referred to as “the powerhouses of the cell,” where we get the cellular energy that is needed to grow, repair, and function. As we age, we will begin to notice the decline of our mitochondrial functions, which means there won’t be enough energy for proper repair and renewal. Signal by Elysium will work to target some of that metabolic aging by supplying some of the metabolites that are suffering and helping to generate new mitochondria. Elysium was founded by a renowned aging researcher by the name of Leonard Guarente. Guarente has been quoted to say that Signal is “formulated to counter aging-dependent declines in metabolism by promoting youthful energetics and metabolic efficiency.”
Signal works to increase NAD+ levels by at least 40%, as well as working to promote healthy metabolic aging and maintaining insulin sensitivity. Signal will also work to support vascular health and the process of brown fat thermogenesis which will convert sugar and fat into heat that will maintain body temperature and support a healthy metabolism.
NMN By Me, Dr. Emil!
You’re missing out if you haven’t tried my very own NMN capsules. Offered at a high dose of 400 mg per capsule, you’ll be reaping those anti-aging benefits along with an increase in energy, improved insulin sensitivity, and maybe even better eye function.
Bottom Line
With NMN and some of its various benefits on the rise these days, it can feel overwhelming when looking for the right product. Take a look into some of the supplements mentioned here, along with the tips on what to look for, and you’ll be getting all of these NMN benefits in no time.