Publish Time: 2021-11-17 Origin: Site
Scientists believe that as we age, many of the health-related problems we face are caused by the decline in NAD+. If we can prevent this loss, our thinking is that we might all live longer while staying healthier.
One way we maintain healthy levels of NAD+ is to supplement our body with its precursor nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). All cellular compounds are manufactured in a similar way to a factory assembly line, where each component is the predecessor of the next component. In order to generate more NAD+, people need more precursors like NMN.
Once in the cells of animals, NMN will promote the production of NAD+. NAD+ provides the necessary energy for the cells and is considered essential for healthy aging. NAD+ also plays a key role in activating proteins that maintain DNA integrity. Given its central role in so many cellular processes, the potential benefits of NMN extend to almost all body systems. Here are some of the more well-known examples.
Studies have shown that mice fed with NMN for a long time have better energy metabolism and no obvious side effects. As we age and our own NAD+ supply decreases, the health of our muscles becomes more and more important.
We rely on skeletal muscles to maintain movement, stability and strength. In order to stay strong and in good shape, these muscles must consume a lot of key energy molecules, such as glucose and fatty acids. Because NAD+ is needed to metabolize these molecules, our muscles need a stable supply of its building blocks, such as NMN.
Studies on mice have shown that NMN can prevent many aging-related health declines, such as hardening of blood vessels, oxidative stress, the ability of our cells to divide, and even changes in the activity of our genes. Scientists call this gene expression.
Obesity is related to a variety of unhealthy conditions and it is very challenging to treat. There is no simple cure for obesity and related diseases (such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome). Although lifestyle adjustments (such as continuous exercise and healthy eating) are essential, everything helps.
In mouse studies, NMN showed an effect that mimics calorie restriction (CR). Although CR has been shown to have many benefits for aging and health, it is a system that is difficult to maintain in the long term. It is undoubtedly beneficial to imitate the benefits of this extreme diet without sticking to it.
At least your skeletal muscles can rest. Not only can your heart not rest, it can't even slow down without causing serious problems. Therefore, the energy demand of the heart is huge. In order to keep it running, it needs to play all the NAD+ as much as possible. This is why heart cells need a stable supply of NMN.
In short, without mitochondria, we cannot survive. These unique cellular structures are called the power source of the cell. They convert the molecules in the food we eat into energy used by cells. NAD+ is at the core of this process. In fact, mitochondrial abnormalities caused by the loss of NAD+ may even affect neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's. Studies conducted in mice have shown that supplementation with NMN has rescued some mitochondrial dysfunction.
NAD+ made of NMN activates a group of proteins called Sirtuins. Sirtuins, sometimes considered guardians of our health, play a key role in maintaining the integrity of our DNA. Every time our cells divide, the DNA at the ends of the chromosomes gets shorter. At some point, this started to damage our genes. Sirtuins slow down this process by stabilizing those end positions (called telomeres in science). However, in order to function, sirtuins rely on NAD+. Recent studies have shown that feeding mice with NMN activates Sirtuins and leads to more stable telomeres.