Facts about NMN supplements
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is NMN?
NMN vs NR
NMN Benefits
3 WAYS TO SPOT A FAKE
WHY IS GMP CERTIFICATION CRITICAL?
NMN Supplements – Product Reviews
BACKGROUND
The UltraHealth Store is a science-based biochemical company that creates and manufactures pharmaceutical grade, 99+% pure anti-aging compounds. Through our partnership with an FDA certified cGMP and our parent company, GSK International, we have been providing the science, research and consumer community with ultra-pure products since 2015.
While the supplement landscape teems with competition, it suffers from a lack of robust regulation. As a result, much of the information out there is either subjective or geared towards promotion. Contrarily, UltraHealth bases its insights on rigorous clinical studies sourced from the National Institute of Health, the Journal of Biological Chemistry, and continuous research from prominent U.S. health institutions.
What is NMN?
NMN stands for Nicotinamide Mononucleotide. It is a naturally occurring compound that plays a crucial role in cellular metabolism, particularly in the production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), which is an essential coenzyme involved in various cellular processes.
NAD+ is known to decline with age, and some research suggests that increasing NAD+ levels through supplementation with NMN may have potential health benefits. It has been studied for its potential anti-aging properties, as it is involved in energy production, DNA repair, and various signaling pathways within cells.
It's important to note that while NMN shows promise in preclinical studies and early-stage research, its long-term safety and efficacy in humans are still being investigated. As with any supplement, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before starting NMN or any other supplement regimen.
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NMN vs NR
Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and nicotinamide riboside (NR) are both molecules that act as precursors to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a coenzyme essential for cellular metabolism and energy production. Boosting NAD+ levels has been proposed as a way to mitigate age-related diseases and potentially slow the aging process. Here are the key differences between NMN and NR:
-
Molecular Structure:
- NMN: Nicotinamide mononucleotide is composed of a nicotinamide molecule, a phosphate group, and a ribose sugar.
- NR: Nicotinamide riboside lacks the phosphate group present in NMN. It's essentially NMN without the phosphate.
-
Metabolism:
- When taken as a supplement, NR is converted into NMN after crossing the cell wall into the body's cells, which is then further converted into NAD+.
- NMN must be first converted into NR, which crosses the cell wall, then NR is converted into NMN which can be directly converted into NAD+ within cells.
- See Figure below showing the Salvage Pathway (discovered in 1955).
-
Research & Evidence:
- As of our last update in September 2022, there's ongoing research on both NMN and NR to understand their effects on human health, aging, and various diseases. While preliminary findings in animals have been promising, human studies are still in relatively early stages. However, NR has a longer history of research compared to NMN.
- As of our last update in September 2022, there's ongoing research on both NMN and NR to understand their effects on human health, aging, and various diseases. While preliminary findings in animals have been promising, human studies are still in relatively early stages. However, NR has a longer history of research compared to NMN.
-
Supplementation:
- Both NMN and NR are available as dietary supplements. However, the efficacy, safety, and long-term effects of supplementation in humans are still topics of ongoing research.
- Both NMN and NR are available as dietary supplements. However, the efficacy, safety, and long-term effects of supplementation in humans are still topics of ongoing research.
-
Bio-availability:
- There is ongoing debate and research regarding the bioavailability of NMN and NR. Early studies have indicated that both precursors can effectively raise NAD+ levels in the body, but the most efficient method and dosing strategy is still under investigation.
-
Safety:
- As of our last update, both NMN and NR appear to be well-tolerated in the doses studied. However, as with any supplement, potential side effects and long-term safety need to be further evaluated.
In summary, both NMN and NR are NAD+ precursors with potential therapeutic benefits. While they have similarities, the key difference is in their molecular structure and their metabolic pathway to NAD+ production. If you are considering supplementation, it's recommended for you to consult with a healthcare professional to determine what's right for you.
SALVAGE PATHWAY - NAD+ CREATION
NMN Benefits
Here are some potential benefits of NMN based on current research.
-
Mitigation of Age-Related Decline: Aging is associated with decreasing NAD+ levels. By boosting NAD+, NMN might help delay some aspects of the aging process.
-
Energy Production: NAD+ plays a central role in energy production. By increasing NAD+ levels, NMN could help improve mitochondrial function and overall cellular energy.
-
Neuroprotection: Some animal studies suggest NMN can protect brain cells, potentially offering benefits in neurodegenerative conditions.
-
Improved Blood Flow: NMN might help improve blood flow and vascular health, which is crucial for overall organ function and especially for brain health.
-
Metabolic Health: NMN has been shown in some studies to have a beneficial impact on various metabolic parameters, including lipid profiles, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity.
-
DNA Repair: NAD+ is essential for the activation of enzymes called PARPs, which are involved in DNA repair. This might mean that boosting NAD+ with NMN could improve the body's ability to repair DNA damage.
-
Protection Against Heart Disease: In animal models, NMN has been shown to reduce heart disease risk factors.
-
Bone Density: Preliminary research in mice has suggested that NMN might help in preventing age-related bone density loss.
-
Immune Function: Some studies suggest NMN might play a role in boosting or modulating immune function.
-
Liver Protection: NMN might have protective effects on the liver, especially in conditions that strain liver function.
It's important to note that while these potential benefits are promising and based on scientific findings, human trials are ongoing, and while preliminary human data is encouraging there is still more to be learned.
3 WAYS TO SPOT A FAKE
If is very unfortunate but the only way to really know if your dietary supplement is real is to have it tested yourself, which is expensive.
You can't always trust major online retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and iHerb to filter out poor-quality products. Many supplement companies nowadays use counterfeit test reports, reviews, and GMP certifications to market their questionable products. Even the numerous supplement review websites that appear on Google Search often fail to provide in-depth analysis of the products they recommend. While these sites may claim to prioritize consumer well-being, many are driven by referral profits, potentially compromising the quality and safety of the supplements they endorse.
Fortunately, there are alternative methods to independently assess the credibility of dietary supplement companies for free.
We will explain what the following free tools will help you discover from just a simple review of a products label.
- UPC lookup link - GS1
- FDA supplement label regulations link - FDA Label
- GMP Company lookup link - FDA Database
1. UPC code lookup - If your supplement bottle has a UPC code just go to GS1 and scroll down and select GTIN (which is the official name for a UPC code) and type the full number into the search box. Once you click search it will only take seconds for this government database to retrieve the company's information. It may say the UPC code is not valid which means it is not a real UPC code. Avoid these products!
One can also look up the company name if you cannot find a UPC code or the company does not show it on their site.
Also, if the company name comes up but does not match the company you are looking at it may have been copied and put on the bottle without permission.
2. FDA supplement label regulations - Look at the right side of your supplement bottle were the 'Supplement Facts' are located. This label should have the correct name of the active ingredient, dose, dosage amount, and the complete address of the company selling or having 'manufactured for' in this area. To see the complete set of regulations for dietary supplement labeling just click FDA Label.
If the company's label does not comply with the FDA regulations it means they are not using a certified GMP because a real GMP would not allow a bottle to be labeled incorrectly with missing information.
The example above shows NMN correctly. Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) exists as α (alpha) and β (beta) anomeric forms. The certified GMP would receive the bulk compound with the proper COA (certificate of analysis) which would state which type of NMN was being provided. If just nicotinamide mononucleotide was listed it would be flagged as wrong and the GMP would not complete manufacturing.
3. GMP Company lookup link - Almost no companies post their GMP certificate, which has the name of the FDA certified GMP company. If you have the GMP name you can just type it into the database search at this site: FDA Database. This will show you when the company was first started, how many times they have been inspected, and if they have any violations.
If your supplement company does not post this information call or email them and request it. If they do not provide this or say it is confidential be very cautious. Any legitimate company would be happy and proud to provide this to their customers.
WHY IS GMP CERTIFICATION CRITICAL?
GMP, which stands for "Good Manufacturing Practice," is a system aimed at ensuring products are consistently produced in line with quality standards. A facility that is "certified GMP" has undergone inspection and meets the GMP criteria established by regulatory bodies. The FDA oversees GMP regulations for food, drugs, and medical devices in the United States. When a company states that its products come from a "GMP certified" or "GMP compliant" facility, it signifies that their production processes have been reviewed and align with the strict standards set by the relevant regulatory entity.
why does GMP certification matter?
- incoming testing of ingredients and final post manufacturing testing - safety inspections
- will not complete the manufacturing unless the labeling is accurate and complete
- companies using a certified GMP cannot get away with not providing real and safe products
how to ask a supplement company for their GMP? Just contact them.
Dear company X,
I would like to buy (or continue buying) your product but I would like to have the name of your GMP so that I can contact them.
Below is a chart showing the companies that passed/failed testing for actual NMN per serving amounts on their product labels. None of the failed companies could have been using a certified GMP for manufacturing.
With just a little FDA label information one could have determined that most of the failed companies were not legitimate. We looked at all the failed companies' labels and none met simple FDA standards tests mentioned above.
NMN Supplements – Product Reviews
We have ranked the following companies below for their current NMN products. We focus on what can be looked up on other government sites and compare the information on the bottles with regulations and legal requirements. We then look at bioavailability (liposomal capsules and are there additives or pure active ingredients). Finally, if all is equal we then sort by price per gram of the NMN product.
Some companies claim to be liposomal, they are not. We have technical information in our 'The Lipo Lie' blog: LINK. It is a must read.
Ranking is up to 6 stars, where 3 stars and above are thought to be reliable. Below the score of 3 are companies we feel you should stay away from or be very cautious.
Here is how to calculate cost per gram of the active ingredient:
- serving per bottle x mg per serving - X (mg per bottle)
divide X by 1000 = Y (grams per bottle)
divide the price of one bottle by Y = $/gram
ULTRAHEALTH NMN - Score 6 out of 6
The only company posting their GMP certificate, real Liposomal capsules, & no additives.
TONIIQ NMN - Score 3 out of 6
PROHEALTH NMN - Score 3 out of 6
GENEX NMN - Score 3 out of 6
DOUBLEWOOD NMN - Score 3 out of 6
The above companies are considered reliable.
RENUE BY SCIENCE NMN - Score 2 out of 6
GENF20 NMN - Score 2 out of 6
PARTIQLAR NMN - Score 1 out of 6
WONDERFEEL NMN - Score 1 out of 6
OMRE NMN - Score 1 out of 6
NOVOS NMN - Score 0 out of 6
DONOTAGE NMN - Score 0 out of 6
WOW HEALTH NMN - Score 0 out of 6
The above companies are suspicious and should be avoided.
BUY NOW!
ULTRAHEALTH NMN - Score 6 out of 6
| Price per gram |
$3.84 / gm* |
| Dosage per Capsule | 250 mg |
| absorption / effectiveness criteria |
|
| b-nicotinamide mononucleotide |
yes |
| Pure - no added Ingredients | yes |
| True Liposomal capsule / bio-available | yes |
| reliability criteria |
|
| Correct FDA Required Label | yes |
| Real UPC number | 860005633296 |
|
GMP Certification number |
11625918556 |
| * includes our VC10 discount for 10% off |
TONIIQ NMN - 3
| Price per gram |
$3.33 / gm |
| Dosage per Capsule | 150 mg |
| absorption / effectiveness criteria | |
| b-nicotinamide mononucleotide |
yes |
| Pure - no added Ingredients | no |
| True Liposomal / bio-available | no |
| reliability criteria | |
| Correct FDA Required Label | yes* |
| Real UPC number | 858111007469 |
|
GMP Certification number |
no |
| *we have seen their address on other labels of theirs, but this one is not correct. |
PROHEALTH NMN - 3
| Price per gram |
$3.87 / gm |
| Dosage per Capsule | 250 mg |
| absorption / effectiveness criteria | |
| b-nicotinamide mononucleotide |
yes |
| Pure - no added Ingredients | no |
| True Liposomal / bio-available | no |
| reliability criteria | |
| Correct FDA Required Label | yes |
| Real UPC number | 850023410672 |
|
GMP Certification number |
no |
GENEX NMN - 3
| Price per gram |
$3.99 / gm |
| Dosage per Capsule | 125 mg |
| absorption / effectiveness criteria | |
| b-nicotinamide mononucleotide |
yes |
| Pure - no added Ingredients | no |
| True Liposomal / bio-available | no |
| reliability criteria | |
| Correct FDA Required Label | yes |
| Real UPC number | 868095000332 |
|
GMP Certification number |
no |
DOUBLEWOOD NMN - 3
| Price per gram |
$6.52 / gm |
| Dosage per Capsule | 125 mg |
| absorption / effectiveness criteria | |
| b-nicotinamide mononucleotide |
no* |
| Pure - no added Ingredients | no |
| True Liposomal / bio-available | no |
| reliability criteria | |
| Correct FDA Required Label | yes |
| Real UPC number | X0027E2GYV / Amazon UPC |
|
GMP Certification number |
no |
|
* We have seen their MLQ test report and beta is called out. |
|
RENUE BY SCIENCE NMN - 3
| Price per gram |
$3.77 / gm |
| absorption / effectiveness criteria | |
| Dosage per Capsule | 250 mg |
| b-nicotinamide mononucleotide |
yes |
| Pure - no added Ingredients | no |
| True Liposomal / bio-available | no |
| reliability criteria | |
| Correct FDA Required Label | no |
| Real UPC number | 656165996599* |
|
GMP Certification number |
no |
|
* please take the time to check UPC - UPC Lookup |
|
| Difficult to find a facts bottle label. |
GENF20 NMN - 2
| Price per gram |
$4.66 / gm |
| Dosage per Capsule | 250 mg |
| absorption / effectiveness criteria | |
| b-nicotinamide mononucleotide |
yes |
| Pure - no added Ingredients | no |
| True Liposomal / bio-available | no |
| reliability criteria | |
| Correct FDA Required Label | no |
| Real UPC number | 628043001916 |
|
GMP Certification number |
no |
PARTIQLAR NMN - 1
| Price per gram |
$2.40 / gm |
| Dosage per Capsule | 500 mg |
| absorption / effectiveness criteria | |
| b-nicotinamide mononucleotide |
yes |
| Pure - no added Ingredients | no |
| True Liposomal / bio-available | no |
| Correct FDA Required Label | no |
| reliability criteria | |
| Real UPC number | no |
|
GMP Certification number |
no |
| Difficult to find a facts bottle label. |
WONDERFEEL NMN - 1
| Price per gram |
$3.26 / gm |
| Dosage per Capsule | 450 mg |
| absorption / effectiveness criteria | |
| b-nicotinamide mononucleotide |
yes |
| Pure - no added Ingredients | no |
| True Liposomal / bio-available | no |
| reliability criteria | |
| Correct FDA Required Label | no |
| Real UPC number | no |
|
GMP Certification number |
no |
| Difficult to find a facts bottle label. |
OMRE NMN - 1
| Price per gram |
$4.00 / gm |
| Dosage per Capsule | 250 mg |
| absorption / effectiveness criteria | |
| b-nicotinamide mononucleotide |
yes |
| Pure - no added Ingredients | no |
| True Liposomal / bio-available | no |
| reliability criteria | |
| Correct FDA Required Label | no |
| Real UPC number | no |
|
GMP Certification number |
no |
| Difficult to find a facts bottle label. |
NOVOS NMN - 0
| Price per gram |
$2.93 / gm |
| Dosage per Capsule | 200 mg |
| absorption / effectiveness criteria | |
| b-nicotinamide mononucleotide |
no |
| Pure - no added Ingredients | no |
| True Liposomal / bio-available | no |
| reliability criteria | |
| Correct FDA Required Label | no |
| Real UPC number | no |
|
GMP Certification number |
no |
DONOTAGE NMN - 0
| Price per gram |
$3.23 / gm |
| Dosage per Capsule | 500 mg |
| absorption / effectiveness criteria | |
| b-nicotinamide mononucleotide |
no |
| Pure - no added Ingredients | no |
| True Liposomal / bio-available | no |
| reliability criteria | |
| Correct FDA Required Label | no |
| Real UPC number | no |
|
GMP Certification number |
no |
| Difficult to find a facts bottle label. |
WOW HEALTH NMN - 0
| Price per gram |
$4.66 / gm |
| Dosage per Capsule | 250 mg |
| absorption / effectiveness criteria | |
| b-nicotinamide mononucleotide |
no |
| Pure - no added Ingredients | no |
| True Liposomal / bio-available | no |
| reliability criteria | |
| Correct FDA Required Label | no |
| Real UPC number | no |
|
GMP Certification number |
no |
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NMN Supplements – Product Reviews
We have not included some companies because they are lesser know, in other overseas countries or to awful to list.
Please us our contact page to ask any questions or request a company to be reviewed.