Liver Health and NMN: Unlocking the Potential Benefits

Liver disease is a prevalent health issue that affects a vast number of people in the U.S., with an estimated 100 million adults having some form of it, primarily fatty liver disease. In fact, about 1.8% of adults have been formally diagnosed with liver disease, and notably, many people remain unaware they have it. If left unchecked, liver disease can progress to liver failure and liver cancer, and as of 2020, liver disease was responsible for over 51,000 deaths in the U.S., making it the 12th leading cause of death.

These sobering statistics underline the crucial need for effective treatment and prevention strategies. Although liver disease can be caused by various factors, a 2016 study identified nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as the most common cause across all racial and ethnic groups. Moreover, cirrhosis, the long-term scarring of the liver, is primarily caused by hepatitis, long-term alcohol abuse, and NAFLD.

One such promising avenue is Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN), a molecule that plays a significant role in cellular energy metabolism. Emerging research is starting to explore the potential benefits of NMN, particularly for individuals grappling with liver disease. 

In this article, we aim to:

By exploring these areas, we hope to shed light on the promising potential of NMN supplementation as a significant player in the intricate landscape of liver disease care and management. [1] 

What Are Liver Diseases?

Your liver is like a big filter for your body, located right under your ribcage. Think of it like a behind-the-scenes hero, cleaning up, helping with digestion, and making sure everything runs smoothly. Sometimes, though, things can go wrong.

When people talk about "liver disease," they mean anything that harms this essential organ. This damage can be from viruses like hepatitis, a confused immune system attacking the liver, inherited problems, cancer, or even from drinking too much alcohol or eating too much fat.

If you've got a liver disease, you might notice your skin and eyes turning a bit yellow, a condition called jaundice. You might feel pain in your belly, get tired easily, or see changes in the color of your pee or poo. And if the disease isn't treated, it could lead to serious issues, like lots of scarring called cirrhosis, or even liver failure.

The good news? Many liver diseases can be managed or treated. The key is to spot the signs early and chat with a doctor. But what about potential ways to boost liver health or even treat these diseases? Up next, we’ll dive deep into the exciting science between NMN and liver health, exploring the potential benefits and breakthroughs on the horizon. [2]  

The Intriguing Science of NMN and Liver Health

Recent studies have illuminated the promising role of NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide) in liver health, particularly concerning fibrosis, aging, alcohol-induced damage, and telomere maintenance. 

Delve deeper to uncover the groundbreaking discoveries about NMN's potential – the future of liver health might just lie within these findings.

NMN Shields Mouse Livers from Fibrosis-Inducing Scarring.

Liver damage from alcohol or stress can lead to severe scarring known as fibrosis, potentially resulting in conditions like liver cancer. In 2020, a team of scientists at Tsinghua University in Beijing found in their study, published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine, that NMN might offer a solution. 

By injecting NMN into mice, they observed a reduction in liver fibrosis. NMN influenced certain genes and increased a beneficial protein, 15-PGDH, reducing the risk of fibrosis. 

Furthermore, NMN boosted NAD+ levels, crucial for cell functionality and DNA health, which decline with age and alcohol consumption.
The study hints at NMN's potential in preventing liver fibrosis, though further human research is required. If confirmed, it could revolutionize treatments for conditions like liver cancer. [3] 

NMN Antioxidant Activity Prevents Liver Injury 

Humans have the unique ability to adapt, even at the cellular level. Yet, as we age, our cells struggle with stress, potentially accelerating aging. 

In a study published in the Journal of Proteome Research in 2022, researchers at Tsinghua University in China discovered that NMN might combat aging by enhancing cell adaptability. They observed that NMN protected aged mice from liver damage by diminishing cellular stress. 

When given NMN, these mice were shielded from liver damage typically induced by acetaminophen. Delving deeper, the team found NMN boosted the enzyme Sod2's activity, vital in combating cell stress. 

NMN's effectiveness is tied to the enzyme Sirt3, pivotal for cell mitochondria. Without Sirt3, NMN's protective capability diminished. Additionally, NMN influenced the protein Nrf2, crucial for managing cellular stress. 

While promising in mice, NMN's effect on human liver function requires further exploration. [4] 

NMN Limits Liver Damage with Alcohol Consumption in Mice

A study published in Human Genomics in 2019 revealed NMN's potential in mitigating liver disease from excessive alcohol consumption in mice. 

The research was spurred by the knowledge that heavy drinking can induce liver disease, marked by inflammation and metabolic shifts. In their experiments, mice given alcohol displayed notable liver damage indicators. 

However, when treated with NMN, these indications diminished, hinting at NMN's liver-protective properties. Crucially, NMN also boosted NAD+ levels in the liver, counteracting alcohol's adverse effects. 

Alcohol consumption alters liver genes, but NMN showed the potential in counteracting these changes. While these findings are promising, they are preliminary, being based solely on mice. 

Further studies on humans are essential before any definitive conclusions are drawn. [5] 

NMN Improves Telomere Length and Liver Damage in Mice

Telomeres, the protective ends of our chromosomes, shorten with age, potentially causing faster aging and various diseases.

A team of scientists from Baylor College of Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and the University of Pennsylvania published their 2019 findings in Cell Metabolism. They discovered NMN could counteract telomere shortening, offering hope against liver disease. 

Shortened telomeres can impact multiple organs, particularly when compounded by conditions like anemia, hepatitis, or excessive alcohol. Sirtuins, enzymes reliant on NAD+, influence DNA repair. Notably, Sirt1 defends against fatty liver disease. In their study, mice with shorter telomeres showed diminished sirtuin levels. 

However, upon administering NMN, telomere length and liver health improved significantly. This pivotal study indicates that NMN, by enhancing NAD+ levels, can combat telomere shortening and related diseases, though further research remains essential. [6] 

Conclusion

Battling liver disease? Dive into the groundbreaking research on NMN's promising effects! HealthspanX.org delivers top-notch NMN supplements, ensuring not just purity but also a leap toward vibrant health. Choose HealthspanX.org and embrace a brighter, healthier tomorrow!

Citations

1. https://liverfoundation.org/about-your-liver/facts-about-liver-disease/how-many-people-have-liver-disease
2. Schölmerich J, Holstege A. Aetiology and pathophysiology of chronic liver disorders. Drugs. 1990;40 Suppl 3:3-22. doi:10.2165/00003495-199000403-00003
3. Zong Z, Liu J, Wang N, Yang C, Wang Q, Zhang W, Chen Y, Liu X, Deng H. Nicotinamide mononucleotide inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation to prevent liver fibrosis via promoting PGE2 degradation. Free Radic Biol Med. 2020 Nov 19:S0891-5849(20)31626-9. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2020.11.014. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33220424.
4. Luo C, Ding W, Yang C, Zhang W, Liu X, Deng H. Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Administration Restores Redox Homeostasis via the Sirt3-Nrf2 Axis and Protects Aged Mice from Oxidative Stress-Induced Liver Injury. J Proteome Res. 2022 Jul 1;21(7):1759-1770. doi: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.2c00167. Epub 2022 Jun 14. PMID: 35699728.
5. Assiri MA, Ali HR, Marentette JO, Yun Y, Liu J, Hirschey MD, Saba LM, Harris PS, and Fritz KS.  Investigating RNA expression profiles altered by nicotinamide mononucleotide therapy in a chronic model of alcoholic liver disease.  Hum Genomics, 2019; DOI: 10.1186/s40246-019-0251-1.
6. Hisayuki Amano, Arindam Chaudhury, Cristian Rodriguez-Aguayo, Lan Lu, Viktor Akhanov, Andre Catic, Yury V. Popov, Eric Verdin, Hannah Johnson, Fabio Stossi, David A. Sinclair, Eiko Nakamaru-Ogiso, Gabriel Lopez-Berestein, Jeffrey T. Chang, Joel R. Neilson, Alan Meeker, Milton Finegold, Joseph A. Baur, Ergun Sahin.  Telomere dysfunction induces sirtuin repression that drives telomere-dependent disease.  Cell Metab, 2019; DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2019.03.001.