Aging, Longevity, and NMN: The New Frontier in Healthy Living
Aging and longevity are complex phenomena that have always captivated human interest. As of 2023, the significant financial ramifications associated with aging, particularly in the U.S., are apparent: the median cost for assisted living is an astounding $4,774 per month, totaling approximately $57,289 annually.
With more than 800,000 Americans residing in assisted living facilities and over half of them aged 85 or older, the importance of comprehending the intricacies of aging and longevity is undeniable.
Amidst this backdrop, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN), a molecule intrinsically connected to our body's energy mechanisms, is garnering interest. The potential of NMN in enhancing vitality and possibly reducing the demand for assisted living is an exciting prospect.
In this article, we will:
By covering these areas, we aim to equip readers with a well-rounded understanding of NMN's potential role in the evolving narrative of aging and longevity. [1]
What Is Longevity?
Longevity, fundamentally, is about the duration of an individual's life. However, contemporary discourses on health, wellness, and aging have broadened the term to encompass not just the quantity but the quality of years lived.
The Two Dimensions of Longevity
- Lifespan: Refers to the maximum number of years an individual can live. The longest documented human lifespan is 122 years, belonging to Jeanne Calment of France. Current research is actively exploring ways to further extend the human lifespan.
- Healthspan: This concept emphasizes the quality of years lived, highlighting the period a person can enjoy good health, free from debilitating diseases or disabilities.
Factors Influencing Longevity
- Genetic Factors: Some individuals naturally possess genes that confer resistance against certain diseases or age-related declines.
- Environmental Factors: Lifestyle choices, including a balanced diet, exercise, and abstaining from smoking, can significantly impact longevity.
- Medical Advancements: Modern medical interventions have consistently contributed to increased life expectancy over the past century.
- Psychosocial Factors: Factors such as social connections and education can also influence longevity.
Emerging research in the field of longevity seeks to integrate interventions ranging from dietary supplements to biotechnological solutions, aiming not just to add years to life but life to years. [2] [3]
The Science between Aging, Longevity, and NMN
Aging is inevitable, but how we age might soon be within our control. Enter NMN, the molecule that's making waves in the scientific community for its potential to revolutionize our understanding of aging.
As numerous studies highlight its promising benefits, NMN stands as a beacon of hope for those seeking not just longer, but healthier lives.
Dive in as we explore the groundbreaking research surrounding NMN and its role in the age-old quest for longevity.
NMN: A Supplement for Better Aging in 2023
Everybody is talking about ways to age healthily. One standout supplement catching attention is NMN. This was highlighted in a study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry in 2020.
What's NMN? It stands for nicotinamide mononucleotide. As we get older, our bodies have less of a very important molecule called NAD+. This molecule helps us stay young at a cellular level. NMN is like a booster shot for our NAD+ levels.
So why is this a big deal? Because when we have enough NAD+, it powers certain proteins in our bodies called sirtuins. These proteins are like our body's repair crew. They fix damaged DNA and keep our cells' energy factories, called mitochondria, running smoothly. This means we might stay healthier for longer.
In fact, NMN has shown some impressive results. In some studies, it helped increase muscle strength, made exercise easier, protected the brain, and even slowed down some cancer cells.
Many scientists believe that NMN, and a few other supplements, could change the future of aging. As more research unfolds, we'll learn even more about how these supplements might help us live healthier and longer lives. [4]
NMN Helps Slow Aging
Want to age more gracefully? Researchers from Zhejiang University School of Medicine in China might have found a clue. In a study published in the Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal in 2022, they introduced a new "aging clock" based on gene activity in our blood.
They grouped people into three categories: slow-agers, average-agers, and quick-agers. The exciting part? When they tested different substances on blood samples, NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) and metformin made the blood seem younger in the lab.
Slow agers also showed signs of having less inflammation in their bodies, which is generally a good health sign.
Now, this was all done in a lab, so more research is needed. But it's an intriguing first step. Could supplements like NMN be a key to aging more gracefully in the future? Time will tell. [5]
NMN Shows Promise in Slowing Down Aging in Mice
In a 2019 study published in the Geroscience journal, researchers at the Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, supported by the American Heart Association, made an intriguing discovery using mice. Those administered with NMN appeared to experience slower aging.
The crux of their study revolved around microRNAs (or miRNAs). These are minuscule molecules that, when malfunctioning, can manifest aging symptoms in blood vessels, leading to the narrowing or even halting of blood vessel formation. Such complications can escalate to grave diseases like heart disease, dementia, and diabetes - ailments that the World Health Organization recognizes as primary global causes of death.
What was groundbreaking in this study was that older mice treated with NMN presented miRNA 'fingerprints' akin to much younger counterparts. Essentially, NMN seemed to be rewinding time for these mice, particularly noticeable in the principal artery of their hearts. This rejuvenation of miRNAs could potentially act as a bulwark against age-associated diseases in the heart and blood vessels.
Employing sophisticated methodologies, the researchers validated these findings, emphasizing the promising anti-aging properties of NMN. They commented, "NMN treatment appears to alter miRNAs in an age-combatting manner." This revelation is particularly optimistic since the observed processes have parallels in both mice and humans.
The road ahead? Amplified research! The scientists are optimistic that subsequent studies might unravel the mysteries of how NMN effectively decelerates aging. They're also eager to discern if NMN would elicit identical effects in humans. [6]
Conclusion
With the rising cost and challenges of eldercare in the U.S., solutions for healthy aging are paramount. NMN stands out, promising to enhance both lifespan and healthspan. Scientific research highlights its cellular rejuvenation and other health benefits.
HealthspanX.org is leading in NMN advancements, emphasizing product quality and efficacy. NMN offers a promising avenue in the quest for healthier aging, with research continually unveiling its potential.
Citations
- https://www.seniorliving.org/assisted-living/costs/
- Blagosklonny, Mikhail V. “No limit to maximal lifespan in humans: how to beat a 122-year-old record.” Oncoscience vol. 8 110-119. 1 Dec. 2021, doi:10.18632/oncoscience.547
- https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/05/world/jeanne-calment-world-s-elder-dies-at-122.html
- Sarroca S, Gatius A, Rodríguez-Farré E, Vilchez D, Pallàs M, Griñán-Ferré C, Sanfeliu C, Corpas R. Resveratrol confers neuroprotection against high-fat diet in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease via modulation of proteolytic mechanisms. J Nutr Biochem. 2020 Dec 12:108569. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2020.108569.
- Shen X, Wu B, Jiang W, Li Y, Zhang Y, Zhao K, Nie N, Gong L, Liu Y, Zou X, Liu J, Jin J, Ouyang H. Scale bar of aging trajectories for screening personal rejuvenation treatments. Comput Struct Biotechnol J. 2022 Oct 21;20:5750-5760. doi: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.10.021. PMID: 36382193; PMCID: PMC9619353.
- Kiss T, Giles CB, Tarantini S, et al. Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation promotes anti-aging miRNA expression profile in the aorta of aged mice, predicting epigenetic rejuvenation and anti-atherogenic effects. Geroscience. 2019;41(4):419–439. doi:10.1007/s11357-019-00095-x