NMN and Personalised Longevity: Hype or the Future of Preventive Health?

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is gaining attention among biohackers and health enthusiasts as a potential longevity supplement, claimed to boost NAD+ levels and support cellular health. Yet, separating hype from evidence remains essential. This article offers an evidence-based look at NMN’s potential and limitations, exploring how it might fit into a personalised preventive health strategy alongside advanced tools like genetic testing, epigenetic clocks, and full-body scans.

What is NMN, and Why is it Trending?

The Science Behind NMN

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a naturally occurring compound and direct precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a vital coenzyme that declines with age in humans¹. NMN supplementation raises NAD+ levels, which support cellular energy metabolism, DNA repair, and overall mitochondrial function, key reasons for its popularity in anti-ageing research^2,3.

What Current Research Shows

• Mouse studies show that NMN supplementation increases NAD+ levels, enhances energy metabolism, and extends lifespan, with some showing improved physical performance and protection against age-related decline^4,5.
• A 2023 human trial demonstrated that daily NMN raised NAD+ concentrations in blood and was well-tolerated without serious side effects, but involved relatively few participants⁶.
• Other small-scale clinical trials in humans have shown improved insulin sensitivity, muscle performance, or markers of vascular health, but results are preliminary and call for larger, longer-term research⁷.
• A recent review found that, although NMN appears safe and promising, evidence for significant anti-ageing effects in humans remains limited pending larger-scale studies⁸.

A Personalised Approach to Longevity

Tracking Your Biological Age

Epigenetic age tests, like DNA methylation tests, use chemical markers on your DNA to measure how quickly you are ageing biologically compared to your calendar age⁹. 

These tests provide a benchmark that allows individuals to monitor the impact of longevity interventions, such as NMN supplementation, dietary changes, or exercise, by tracking changes in their biological age over time¹⁰.

This objective feedback makes it possible to personalise and adjust health strategies based on measurable results.

Multi-Region MRI Scans for Early Detection

MRI scans, like those offered by Ezra, help individuals keep track of their ageing by screening up to 14 organs and detecting over 500 conditions, many of which are related to age, often before symptoms develop.

MRI scanning enables early identification of abnormalities in a safe, non-invasive, and radiation-free way. While NMN supplementation may support cellular health, it cannot replace the benefits of imaging and regular screening for the detection and prevention of serious disease.

DNA and Lifestyle Risk Prediction

Genetic tests available in the UK, such as those for APOE4 (linked to Alzheimer’s) or BRCA mutations (linked to certain cancers), provide insight into disease predisposition by identifying genetic risk factors^11,12. 

Pairing this genetic risk information with tailored lifestyle interventions, like diet, exercise, or enhanced screening, enables a more personalised, data-driven approach to extending healthspan and reducing future disease risk¹³. Personalised health strategies, integrating genetic and lifestyle data, empower individuals to take proactive steps for longevity and well-being.

Does NMN Have a Place in Preventive Health?

Understanding the Limitations

NMN is not regulated as a medicine in the UK but is instead sold legally as a food supplement under novel food regulations. This means manufacturers cannot claim that it prevents, treats, or cures disease.

The best results are seen when NMN is used alongside healthy lifestyle changes, such as exercise, good nutrition, sleep, and regular screening, rather than relying on NMN alone for preventive healthcare¹⁴.

It should be noted that some clinical trials have shown inconsistent results, with some studies reporting minimal or no benefit on metabolic markers. Individual variability in response further complicates the interpretation of NMN’s effects.

When NMN Might Be Useful

Preliminary studies suggest that NMN supplementation offers meaningful benefits for ageing adults, mainly by raising NAD+ levels that support energy metabolism and mitochondrial function^15,16. 

These effects are especially relevant as NAD+ naturally declines with age, contributing to reduced physical capacity, metabolic health, and mitochondrial efficiency¹⁷. Early human trials and animal studies highlight the potential for enhanced muscle performance, better insulin sensitivity, and improved quality of life in older populations, though the effects are more pronounced and established in animal models^8,18.

NMN supplementation tends to be well-tolerated and safe in short-term trials, but larger and longer-term studies are still needed to confirm its long-term efficacy and safety for widespread preventive use in humans. 

Real Prevention = Data + Diagnostics

NMN should never be seen as a substitute for medical diagnostics or preventive screening. Real prevention means tracking changes with reliable data and diagnostics, such as using multi-region MRIs, alongside genetic testing and other biological tracking data.

For individuals who are serious about health and longevity, combining regular MRI imaging with epigenetic age monitoring creates a foundation for evidence-based prevention, allowing interventions, including NMN, to be judged by genuine changes in health, risk, and ageing markers, not speculation or supplement hype.

In practice, NMN may provide support for energy and cellular health, but only data-driven diagnostics like imaging and methylation tracking can detect disease, personalise risk, and guide long-term preventive strategies.

Summary

NMN may offer promising benefits for energy metabolism, muscle health, and overall cellular function, especially as part of a comprehensive longevity plan. However, the foundation of any effective preventive health strategy lies in personalised diagnostics and early detection through methods such as multi-region MRI scans. 

Individuals who take their health seriously could combine supplements like NMN with scientific insights and regular screening to maximise their potential for healthy ageing. This data-driven approach empowers smarter decisions and truly personalised preventive care. 

If you want to be proactive about your health, why not book an Ezra MRI Scan with Spine? Our annual scan catches potential cancer earlier by leveraging AI through the screening process, making it more efficient, affordable, and faster.

References

1. Shade C. The Science Behind NMN–A Stable, Reliable NAD+Activator and Anti-Aging Molecule. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2020;19(1):12-14. 

2. Conlon NJ. The Role of NAD+ in Regenerative Medicine. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2022;150(4 Suppl):41S-48S. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000009673 

3. Okabe K, Yaku K, Uchida Y, et al. Oral Administration of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Is Safe and Efficiently Increases Blood Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Levels in Healthy Subjects. Front Nutr. 2022;9:868640. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.868640 

4. Kane AE, Chellappa K, Schultz MB, et al. Long-term NMN treatment increases lifespan and healthspan in mice in a sex dependent manner. bioRxiv. Preprint posted online June 27, 2024:2024.06.21.599604. doi:10.1101/2024.06.21.599604 

5. Mills KF, Yoshida S, Stein LR, et al. Long-term administration of nicotinamide mononucleotide mitigates age-associated physiological decline in mice. Cell Metab. 2016;24(6):795-806. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2016.09.013 

6. Yi L, Maier AB, Tao R, et al. The efficacy and safety of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation in healthy middle-aged adults: a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, dose-dependent clinical trial. GeroScience. 2022;45(1):29-43. doi:10.1007/s11357-022-00705-1 

7. Igarashi M, Yamauchi T. Insight into the application of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) to age-related disorders. J Cell Mol Immunol. 2023;Volume 2(Issue 1):9-13. doi:10.46439/immunol.2.014 

8. Yu B, Jing X, Jia L, et al. The versatile multi-functional substance NMN: its unique characteristics, metabolic properties, pharmacodynamic effects, clinical trials, and diverse applications. Front Pharmacol. 2024;15. doi:10.3389/fphar.2024.1436597 

9. Simpson DJ, Chandra T. Epigenetic age prediction. Aging Cell. 2021;20(9):e13452. doi:10.1111/acel.13452 

10. Moqri M, Herzog C, Poganik JR, et al. Biomarkers of Aging for the Identification and Evaluation of Longevity Interventions. Cell. 2023;186(18):3758-3775. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2023.08.003 

11. Nunziato M, Scaglione GL, Di Maggio F, Nardelli C, Capoluongo E, Salvatore F. The performance of multi-gene panels for breast/ovarian cancer predisposition. Clin Chim Acta. 2023;539:151-161. doi:10.1016/j.cca.2022.12.007 

12. Rodríguez A, Calero O, Veiga S, et al. A novel biochemical analysis for ApoE4 quantification in plasma and discrimination of homozygous and heterozygous APOE ε4 carriers. Alzheimers Res Ther. 2025;17:163. doi:10.1186/s13195-025-01811-w 

13. Horne J, Madill J, O’Connor C, Shelley J, Gilliland J. A Systematic Review of Genetic Testing and Lifestyle Behaviour Change: Are We Using High-Quality Genetic Interventions and Considering Behaviour Change Theory? Lifestyle Genom. 2018;11(1):49-63. doi:10.1159/000488086 

14. Hsu YJ, Lee MC, Fan HY, Lo YC. Effects of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Supplementation and Aerobic Exercise on Metabolic Health and Physical Performance in Aged Mice. Nutrients. 2025;17(19):3148. doi:10.3390/nu17193148 

15. Shade C. The Science Behind NMN–A Stable, Reliable NAD+Activator and Anti-Aging Molecule. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2020;19(1):12-14. 

16. Igarashi M, Nakagawa-Nagahama Y, Miura M, et al. Chronic nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation elevates blood nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide levels and alters muscle function in healthy older men. npj Aging. 2022;8(1):5. doi:10.1038/s41514-022-00084-z 

17. Yusri K, Jose S, Vermeulen KS, Tan TCM, Sorrentino V. The role of NAD+ metabolism and its modulation of mitochondria in aging and disease. npj Metab Health Dis. 2025;3(1):26. doi:10.1038/s44324-025-00067-0 

18. Benefits of NMN supplementation: From day 1 to 6 months. Elysium Health. Accessed October 9, 2025. https://www.elysiumhealth.com/blogs/aging101/benefits-of-nmn