Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) as an anti-aging health product – Promises and safety concerns

BACKGROUND: Elderly population has been progressively rising in the world, thus the demand for anti-aging heath products to assure longevity as well as to ameliorate age-related complications is also on the rise. Among various anti-aging health products, nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) has been gaining attentions of the consumers and the scientific community. AIM OF REVIEW: This article intends to provide an overview on the current knowledge on promises and safety concerns of NMN as an anti-aging health product. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) levels in the body deplete with aging and it is associated with downregulation of energy production in mitochondria, oxidative stress, DNA damage, cognitive impairment and inflammatory conditions. However, NMN, as the precursor of NAD(+), can slow down this process by elevating NAD(+) levels in the body. A number of in vivo studies have indicated affirmative results of therapeutic effects for various age-induced complications with NMN supplementation. One preclinical and one clinical study have been conducted to investigate the safety concerns of NMN administration while a few more human clinical trials are being conducted. As there is a large influx of NMN based anti-aging products on the market, proper clinical investigations are urgently needed to find out the effectiveness and safety of NMN supplementation.