Immunity and NMN: A New Frontier in Combatting Immunodeficiency Disorders
Immunodeficiency Disorders impact a significant portion of the U.S. population, with estimates suggesting as many as 1 in 2000 individuals are affected. Often, those showing symptoms first consult general practitioners or sub-specialists, potentially causing delays in specialized care. Amidst these challenges, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN), a key molecule in our body's energy metabolism, is garnering attention. There's growing interest in its potential role in supporting immune functions and benefiting those with immunodeficiency disorders.
In this article, we will:
Through this, we aim to offer readers a concise overview of NMN's potential as a promising avenue for those dealing with immunodeficiency disorders. [1]
What Are Immunodeficiency Disorders?
Immunodeficiency disorders compromise the body's ability to fend off infections, making individuals more susceptible to illnesses. Born from either genetic factors or from external causes like malnutrition, these disorders can weaken the immune system which relies on organs such as the spleen and lymph nodes to produce cells that counteract harmful invaders.
Persistent ailments like recurring colds or chronic pneumonia might signal a compromised immune system. While primary disorders have genetic roots, secondary ones are influenced by factors like severe burns or inadequate nutrition. If frequent sickness or a family lineage of such disorders is familiar, seeking medical advice is prudent.
As we delve deeper, the science behind Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) presents an intriguing possibility in bolstering our immunity. Stay with us as we uncover the potential of NMN in the realm of immune health, shedding light on a promising frontier in wellness and preventive care. [2]
The Science Between NMN and Immunity
As we age, our immunity shifts, but recent studies suggest that NMN might be a game-changer. This compound is making waves for its potential in boosting immunity, combating diseases like COVID-19, and possibly reducing severe allergic reactions. Additionally, NMN may offer a safer alternative to common pain relievers.
Let's dive into the latest discoveries about NMN and its promising role in our health.
NMN, Immunity, and Aging: What You Need to Know
As we grow older, our bodies experience a drop in a vital energy compound called NAD+. Scientists from the Mayo Clinic found out why this happens and published their discoveries in Nature Metabolism in 2020.
With age, our immune cells show more of something called CD38. When there's more CD38, our NAD+ levels go down. Additionally, inflammation from aging makes CD38 even more prevalent, leading to a further drop in NAD+. This is where NMN comes in. NMN is a building block for NAD+. So, by boosting NMN through supplements, we can help increase NAD+ in our bodies.
In simple terms, as we age, some factors in our immunity system can decrease our NAD+ levels. But, with the right NMN boost, we might be able to support our energy and health as we grow older. [3]
NMN Treatment Helps COVID-19 Patients
NMN helps keep our cells healthy and energetic. In some mouse studies, NMN has been found to improve the health of many body parts, like the liver, kidneys, and brain. Some scientists believe it can also boost our body's defense against infections, like the virus causing COVID-19.
In a study published in Case Series in 2020, Dr. Huizenga tried using NMN mixed with some other helpful ingredients to treat older people who were sick with COVID-19. He gave them a special NMN drink twice a day. The drink also had things like beet sugar, salt, and zinc, which all can help our cells work better.
In his study, nine sick patients, mostly around 65 years old, took the NMN drink. Many of them had other health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. They all had typical COVID-19 symptoms like fever and cough, and some had lost their sense of smell or had an upset stomach. After starting the NMN drink, most of them felt better quickly. The best part? None of them got so sick that they needed intensive care.
However, Dr. Huizenga's study didn't compare these patients to others who didn't get the NMN drink. So, while the results are promising, more research is needed. Dr. Huizenga believes that we should study NMN more as a possible treatment for COVID-19, especially because many people are still getting very sick from the virus. [4]
NMN Helps Immune Cells Fight Cancer Better
As we age, our immune system, which defends against illnesses, weakens. Particular immune cells, known as NK cells, are crucial for battling cancer and viruses, but they lose strength over time.
A 2021 study in Biomedical Research led by Okumura from Juntendo University in Japan examined NMN, which boosts the efficiency of these NK cells. In the study, when mice received NMN, their NK cells were more potent, mainly due to an increase in NAD+.
The researchers administered NMN to mice both as injections and food, and in both cases, the results were promising. Although these findings are encouraging, the study's controlled environment differs from real-world conditions, and it's still uncertain if NMN will benefit humans in the same way. Still, if NMN can bolster our immune function, it might be a significant step toward healthier aging. [5]
NMN Helps Reduce Severe Allergic Reactions in Mice
Allergic reactions can be dangerous and even deadly. Some people have intense reactions called anaphylaxis, which can be caused by things like certain foods or medicines. Right now, there's no cure for this except an emergency shot called epinephrine.
However, researchers have found that NMN might help reduce these strong allergic reactions. How? NMN stops certain cells (mast cells) from releasing stuff that makes allergies severe.
In a study published in Theranostics in 2022, scientists in Korea did an experiment on mice. They gave the mice NMN and then exposed them to things they were allergic to. Mice that got NMN had milder allergic reactions. For example, during a severe reaction, body temperature drops a lot. Mice treated with NMN didn't get as cold.
For NMN to work, the mice needed a protein called Sirt6. If mice didn't have this protein, NMN didn't help. This tells scientists that Sirt6 is essential in reducing allergic reactions.
Now, will NMN work the same way in humans? We don't know yet, but the findings in mice are hopeful. Maybe one day, NMN can help people with strong allergies or even milder ones, like hay fever. [6]
NMN May Offer a Safer Way to Reduce Inflammation Than Common Pain Relievers
When parts of our body, like our joints, become inflamed, our immune system reacts. This reaction can sometimes make the inflammation worse and lead to other health problems. A lot of people take pain relievers called NSAIDs (like aspirin or ibuprofen) to reduce this inflammation. But taking these for a long time can have side effects, like stomach bleeding.
So, scientists are looking for safer ways to help people with inflammation.
In a study published in Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences in 2021, researchers found that NMN might help. They did a study on mouse immune cells and found that NMN can reduce inflammation in a way similar to NSAIDs. In their experiments, the scientists treated these cells with
NMN and noticed it reversed the buildup of harmful molecules linked to inflammation.
But here's an important point: they didn't test this on actual people yet. So, we don't know for sure if NMN will work the same way in humans. But if it does, NMN could be a safer alternative to NSAIDs for people with chronic inflammation.
In the future, scientists want to see if NMN can reduce inflammation in human cells and, after that, in actual people. If everything goes well, one day, NMN might be a new way to help people with inflammation without the risks of current pain relievers. [7]
Conclusion
Immunodeficiency disorders present a considerable health risk, with Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) emerging as a promising solution in enhancing immunity and combating various ailments. While initial studies are promising, comprehensive human research is essential.
For those interested in NMN supplementation, Healthspan.org provides premium NMN, emphasizing purity, rigorous testing, and transparency. However, before starting any NMN regimen, consulting a healthcare provider is crucial. NMN holds the potential to significantly impact those grappling with immunodeficiency challenges.
Citations
- https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(19)32524-2/fulltext
- Raje, Nikita, and Chitra Dinakar. “Overview of Immunodeficiency Disorders.” Immunology and allergy clinics of North America vol. 35,4 (2015): 599-623. doi:10.1016/j.iac.2015.07.001
- Chini CCS, Peclat TR, Warner GM, Kashyap S, Espindola-Netto JM, de Oliveira GC, Gomez LS, Hogan KA, Tarragó MG, Puranik AS, Agorrody G, Thompson KL, Dang K, Clarke S, Childs BG, Kanamori KS, Witte MA, Vidal P, Kirkland AL, De Cecco M, Chellappa K, McReynolds MR, Jankowski C, Tchkonia T, Kirkland JL, Sedivy JM, van Deursen JM, Baker DJ, van Schooten W, Rabinowitz JD, Baur JA, Chini EN. CD38 ecto-enzyme in immune cells is induced during aging and regulates NAD+ and NMN levels. Nat Metab. 2020 Nov;2(11):1284-1304. doi: 10.1038/s42255-020-00298-z. Epub 2020 Nov 16. PMID: 33199925.
- Huizenga, Robert, Dramatic Clinical Improvement in Nine Consecutive Acutely Ill Elderly COVID-19 Patients Treated with a Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Cocktail: A Case Series (August 17, 2020). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3677428
- Takeda K, Okumura K. Nicotinamide mononucleotide augments the cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells in young and elderly mice. Biomed Res. 2021;42(5):173-179. doi: 10.2220/biomedres.42.173. PMID: 34544993.
- Liu J, Zong Z, Zhang W, Chen Y, Wang X, Shen J, Yang C, Liu X, Deng H. Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Alleviates LPS-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress via Decreasing COX-2 Expression in Macrophages. Front Mol Biosci. 2021 Jul 6;8:702107. doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.702107. PMID: 34295923; PMCID: PMC8290259.