NMN

 Nicotinamide mononucleotide, also known as β-nicotinamide mononucleotide, has the English name β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, and is abbreviated as NMN. The following is a detailed introduction: 

Basic Information

Molecular Formula: C11H15N2O8P. 

Molecular weight: 334.221 g/mol.

CAS number: 1094-61-7. 

Physiological functions

Cellular energy metabolism: It is a direct precursor of coenzyme NAD+, which plays a crucial role in cellular respiration, promoting the oxidation of glucose, fats, and amino acids to provide energy for the body. 

DNA Repair: NAD+ is involved in the DNA repair process. NMN can enhance the DNA repair capacity of cells by increasing NAD+ levels, reducing the accumulation of DNA damage, and helping to maintain genomic stability.

Immune Regulation: NAD+ plays a crucial role in immune responses. Supplementing NMN can raise NAD+ levels in the body, thereby strengthening the immune system's function and helping the body better resist diseases.

Improved Sleep: It can regulate the body's biological clock and help improve sleep quality. For those who have poor sleep due to aging, stress, and other reasons, supplementing NMN may help adjust the sleep cycle, making sleep deeper and more regular.

Anti-aging: The decline of NAD+ during aging is considered one of the main reasons for various aging-related diseases and the decline in physical functions. Supplementing NMN can increase NAD+ content, thereby delaying, improving, and preventing multiple aging-related phenotypes, such as hearing and vision loss, cognitive and motor function disorders, and immune deficiencies.

Skin Health: It helps promote the synthesis of collagen, increase skin elasticity and luster, and reduce the formation of wrinkles. For those who want to maintain youthful skin, it has certain benefits. 

Food sources

It naturally exists in vegetables such as edamame, broccoli, cucumbers, cabbage, avocados, and tomatoes, as well as in raw beef and shrimp, but in very small amounts. 

Production methods

Chemical synthesis method: It is necessary to synthesize nicotinamide riboside first, usually starting from ribose derivatives and nicotinic acid derivatives. This method is costly and causes serious environmental pollution. 

Enzymatic synthesis: It has relatively high efficiency, but it has drawbacks such as complex operation and high cost.

Biological fermentation: It utilizes cells to convert substrates into specific products, featuring high selectivity, strong catalytic activity, and high cost-effectiveness. However, the current concentration of NMN products in the fermentation broth is relatively low, which seriously hinders the industrialization of NMN synthesis through fermentation. 

Application fields

In the health supplement industry, NMN is formulated into capsules, tablets and other forms for consumers to take as a dietary supplement to help increase the NAD+ level in the body, maintain health and delay aging. 

In the cosmetics field: Some skin care products have added NMN components, taking advantage of its ability to promote collagen synthesis and antioxidant effects to improve skin elasticity, luster and reduce wrinkles, thereby achieving the effect of beauty care.

In the medical field: Research on the use of NMN in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson's disease is ongoing, and it is expected to become a potential therapeutic drug for these diseases. In addition, NMN has also shown certain application prospects in the treatment and prevention of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. 

Safety

At present, further research and verification are still needed regarding the safety and side effects of NMN. In existing studies and clinical applications, no serious adverse reactions have been found from long-term use of NMN. However, it is not suitable for all populations, and special caution should be exercised by minors, pregnant women, and others.