Highlights

  • At doses up to 1200 mg per day over a six-week time course, nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation has proven physiologically safe in humans.
  • Currently, three FDA-regulated clinical trials without published results are in the works as accessed through clinicaltrials.gov.
  • Long-term evaluations are required to examine the reagent’s capacity as safe for consumption.

Research shows that nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) boosts physiological function to confer numerous health benefits. For example, NMN increased mitochondrial replication and genesis (mitogenesis), likely stemming from restoring more youthful patterns of gene regulation. In doing so, NMN can also increase the activation of a protein deacetylase called Sirtuin1 (SIRT1), which improves the function of cell-rejuvenating proteins to reduce oxidative stress. Along those lines, some researchers have referred to NMN as the “holy grail of reversing aging.”[1]

The questions that continually pops into mind are “how safe is NMN for daily usage,” and furthermore, “what are the effects of taking NMN daily for months on end?” Well, the data acquired up to this point appear to show that NMN is safe for mice and for people to take. Moreover, taking NMN for up to six weeks has shown no adverse health-related effects. Examples for these prospective conclusions include that dosages up to 1200 mg/day over a six-week time course confer no adverse health effects. 

Twelve Weeks of NMN Was Proven Safe Without Side Effects

More evidence shows that NMN has no negative side effects, coming from data gathered from a clinical study testing the effects of NMN on skeletal muscle study over 12 weeks. Using 250 mg per day over a six-week time course in men over age 65 had no negative safety-related effects. Over a 12-week time course, 250 mg NMN daily enhanced muscle function and mobility. The physiological parameters measured in the study were blood chemistry markers, including liver enzymes and indicators of kidney function.

“We report that supplementation of 250 mg per day NMN for 12 weeks in healthy old men was safe, well tolerated, and significantly increased NAD+ and NAD+ metabolites in whole blood,” said Yamauchi and colleagues in their study. “Additionally, NMN induced improvements in muscle strength and performance. Thus, chronic oral administration of NMN could be an effective strategy for the prevention of age-related muscle disorders.”

In another study, Klein and colleagues from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester showed that administering 250 mg per day to women over the age of 65 for 10 weeks substantially improved metabolism. “NMN supplementation at 250 mg/day increases skeletal muscle insulin signaling, insulin sensitivity, and muscle remodeling in postmenopausal women with prediabetes who are overweight or obese,” said Klein and colleagues.

Ongoing Clinical Trials for NMN Safety

Currently, there are three ongoing clinical trials on the US Government-run clinicaltrials.gov; however, in other countries like China and Japan, no publicized safety trials are underway. One of the clinical trials titled “Safety and Pharmacokinetics of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) in Healthy Adults” is active with healthy volunteers. The study is being conducted by Vitalab Clinics in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and results have not yet been posted. The estimated completion of this study is set for March 15, 2022.

Another study published on clinicaltrials.gov is the safety evaluation titled “Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Uthever NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, a Form of Vitamin B3).” This study from the Swasthiye Clinic and Research Center in India on the effect of NMN on aging adults has been completed, but the results have not yet been published.

The third and final study published to the Clinical Trials website is titled “To Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of NMN as an Anti-ageing Supplement in Middle Aged and Older (45-69 Years) Adults.” The study evaluated the safety of 900 mg of NMN per day over the course of 60 days. Although this clinical trial was completed in September 2021, results have not yet been made available.

Long-Term NMN Safety Trials Are Required

The bottom line is that, to date, no single study of NMN’s safety has shown that the compound has any adverse effects when it comes to humans’ blood chemistry or cardiovascular health. Not only that, but NMN has been shown to improve muscle function, immunity, and metabolism. The only possible issue that scientists need to confront is what the long-term effects of taking NMN have on the body. For example, we do not yet understand if any negative health impacts may come from using NMN over the course of a year or more.