We humans have been trying to better understand individual biochemical processes for thousands of years. What used to be limited to processes visible to the naked eye has increasingly shifted towards the molecular level in recent decades. New molecules are constantly appearing in the substance sky. Science is trying to comprehend and categorize the role of these molecules in the biochemistry and biology of organisms. One of these new stars in the molecular universe is Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN). For years, research on this molecule has been intensifying worldwide. Therefore, we now embark on a journey through biochemistry that is as understandable and comprehensible as possible, taking a part of the way with NMN, a crown prince in the NAD cosmos.
Search results for "NMN" on PubMed by calendar year.Interest in the topic is rising rapidly.
Organisms of all kinds are an incredibly complex wonder of nature. Countless processes occur in fractions of a second in parallel. The basis of all these processes is energy. The organism obtains energy through food, which is broken down into smaller and smaller components and ultimately absorbed. Just as solar energy must be converted from heat to electricity, the individual molecules must also be made energetically usable at the cellular level. This process occurs in the mitochondria, the power plants of the cell. Here, an enzyme called ATP synthase adenosine triphosphate (ATP for short) is produced – the universal and immediately available energy carrier of the cell and thus of the organism. The ATP synthase is supported by the molecule NAD+, a cofactor. NMN is a precursor molecule of NAD+. Before we proceed, let's first focus our telescope on a few terminologies.
What is an enzyme?
Enzymes are made from proteins, the building blocks of life, just like hormones and antibodies. Thousands of enzymes work every second as biocatalysts for various biological processes. Catalysts also exist in cars – the function is fundamentally analogous: a substance that can influence the speed of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process. Simply put, enzymes ensure that reactions in organisms can occur under facilitated conditions. When enzymes break down substances, this is referred to as catabolism: the breakdown of metabolic products from complex to simple molecules.Nevertheless, enzymes can also build substances. This process is called Anabolism. The best example of this is the enzyme ATP synthase (adenosine triphosphate synthase), which, like most enzymes, ends in -ase and is responsible for energy supply in organisms alongside NAD+.
What is NAD+ and what is a coenzyme?
NAD+ is the short form for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. The “+” indicates an excess positive charge. It is a coenzyme that can be found in almost every biological cell. A coenzyme is a small organic molecule that works with an enzyme to initiate a chemical reaction. Sufficiently high levels of NAD+ in the organism are important for the integrity of many cellular functions.Now comes the catch: The NAD+ level of organisms decreases over the years. Unfortunately, less is not more here.
The versatility world champion must first be assembled in the organism. This production occurs in a total of three different ways through certain precursor molecules.
Trp = Tryptophan; Na = Niacin; Nam = Nicotinamide; NR = Nicotinamide Riboside; NMN = Nicotinamide Mononucleotide
With regard to the following graphic, the three pathways can be traced. Once there is the so-called “de novo pathway” starting with the amino acid Tryptophan as the starting material, then the so-called “Preiss-Handler pathway” with Niacin as the starting material and the so-called “salvage pathway”, which serves the recycling of NAD in the organism. “salvage” comes from English and translates to mean “to recover” or “to save.” This is where Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) comes into play.
NMN acts in the salvage pathway and is the ultimate precursor molecule of NAD. This means that the pathway of other precursors like Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) or Nicotinamide (Nam) only leads through NMN. For this reason, NMN is absolutely essential. Without NMN, there is no recovery or saving of consumed NAD. Let’s take a closer look at the molecule.
What is NMN?
NMN is a derivative of vitamin B3, which is involved in the biosynthesis of NAD+ in every living organism. If one wants to chemically produce NMN, one is faced with a particularly complex and costly process that mimics the aforementioned natural conversion of NR (Nicotinamide Riboside) into NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide). For this reason, the molecule, which is currently only allowed for research purposes, is relatively expensive. It is therefore not surprising that NMN is one of the most counterfeited molecules in the world
A study in the USA recently tested 22 different suppliers – with devastating results. More than half offered no real or only inferior NMN. Link to the study
How can I recognize genuine NMN?
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Have NMN tested
This is very safe, but unfortunately also very expensive. Depending on the laboratory, you should expect costs of 150-300€. Purities below 99% are in any case worse than the current industry standard. We recommend the Arotop laboratories in Mainz, which have long been our partners for reliable checks of our product batches. -
Current analysis certificates
Transparency is everything. If a distributor or manufacturer of NMN powder cannot show current analysis certificates, it is highly likely to be fake NMN.You will find all previously tested batches directly on the product page in the certificates tab. -
Fluffy consistency
NMN generally has a very fluffy and loose consistency. If it is compressed for a longer time, it tends to clump slightly. However, this has no consequences for the quality of the chemical. -
Price
Although the price for NMN has steadily decreased in recent years, it remains a relatively expensive molecule. If a product is noticeably cheap, it's best to stay away from it. For price comparison, it is advisable to refer to the price per gram.
The conclusion is: Trust is good, but control is even better. Trustworthy manufacturers are aware of the problem with fake NMN and will provide you with all necessary documents without hesitation.
What does NMN do?
NMN is, as we already know, the direct precursor of NAD+. Above all, it is essential for cellular respiration. Without cellular respiration, which takes place in the mitochondria, life as we know it today would not be possible. – Why? Because cellular respiration is responsible for the majority of the energy supply of organisms. While there are some "backup mechanisms," these cannot provide enough energy in the long run. In addition, NAD+ interacts with genes, the blueprints for proteins. Through this function, NAD+ activates genes responsible for the production of sirtuins, a multi-member gene family.
Measuring NMN correctly
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide is almost exclusively offered in powder form.Accordingly, the question often arises about the correct measurement.
The following options are available:
- Measurement using a laboratory / precision scale
If you want to measure NMN with milligram precision, it is best to invest in a precision scale. Various relatively accurate models are available from 10 – 15 euros.
For precise laboratory work, a proper laboratory scale is, of course, recommended.
- Measurement with the MoleQlar QSCOOP
The QSCOOP holds a total of 1ml – depending on storage, this means approximately 400 – 500mg of NMN powder.
- Measurement with a standard teaspoon
Classic level teaspoons hold between 3 and 5ml today. This corresponds to an amount of up to 2.5 grams of NMN.
What is currently being researched in connection with NMN?
NMN is currently being marketed as a chemical for research in the life sciences field. To get an overview, you will find an exciting selection of published studies related to the chemical in the sources below.
We can look forward to future results from scientific studies and also to how the topic surrounding the molecule universe develops further. It is important to stay in touch with the pulse of science to gain new insights and possibly also to discard old ones.The past has certainly not tired in its quest for understanding fundamental processes in organisms – this will not be different in the future!
