NMN and Gut Health: Can NMN Revolutionize Digestive Wellness?

NMN and Gut Health

Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) has emerged as a compound of interest for its potential to enhance gut health. This molecule, closely related to the vital cellular energy source NAD+, has been shown to have beneficial effects on the mucosal barrier, help modulate the gut microbiota, and reduce inflammation. Such properties suggest that NMN could play a significant role in treating inflammatory bowel diseases and protecting against age-related gut degeneration.

This article delves into the therapeutic potential of NMN, exploring how it could revolutionize our approach to maintaining and managing gut health. 

NMN Might Help with Bowel Disease

People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often struggle to absorb nutrients and might have a "leaky" gut. Researchers from Jiangsu University in China, in a 2022 study in the Current Research in Food Science journal, found that NMN could help.

They discovered that mice with IBD had less protective mucus in their gut. But when given NMN, their mucus levels went up. They also found that NMN might seal up the leaks in the gut. Moreover, NMN seemed to boost the good bacteria in the gut.

Overall, the study suggests NMN could be useful for treating IBD and possibly age-related gut issues. [1]

NMN Aids Gut Health in Mice

Researchers from Ajou University School of Medicine in Korea discovered a link between a compound called NAD+ and gut inflammation. Their study, published in Redox Biology in 2022, found that mice with low NAD+ had worse inflammation. By giving these mice NMN (related to NAD+), the inflammation was reduced, and the mice lived longer.

Inside the gut, cells called macrophages help fight harmful invaders. Without enough NAD+, these cells struggle to clean up, leading to ongoing inflammation. Giving NMN helped these cells work better, which imporves gut health. 

Although this situation might not be common in people, the study suggests that boosting NAD+ could benefit individuals with inflammatory bowel issues, especially the elderly or those with poor nutrition. [2]

NMN's Potential Role in Boosting Gut Health

Our gut is like a bustling city of microorganisms that play a crucial role in our health. Recently, there's been a surge of interest in understanding these tiny residents better and how they affect our overall well-being.

In addition, researchers led by Pan Huang from Jiangsu University in China investigated how NMN (Nicotinamide mononucleotide) influences the health and diversity of these gut microorganisms. Their findings, published in the 2021 edition of Frontiers in Nutrition, revealed some interesting insights.

Moreover, mice that consumed water with NMN for 15 weeks showed an increase in "good" bacteria in their guts and a decrease in "bad" ones. Additionally, NMN appeared to offer protection and reinforcement to the inner lining of the mice's intestines, which is essential for overall gut health.

Furthermore, in simpler terms, the research suggests that NMN might help in maintaining a healthy balance of gut microorganisms and bolstering the strength of the gut lining. It's important to note that these findings come from a study on mice. The potential benefits of NMN for human gut health remain to be explored. If similar results are observed in humans, NMN could pave the way for improved digestive health and protection against certain diseases related to gut microbes. [3]

NMN Helps Aging Guts in Mice Stay Younger

Stem cells are like our body's repair team. They can turn into different types of cells, which helps to fix damaged tissues. However, as we get older, these stem cells can't work as well, leading to what we call "stem cell aging."

Moreover, to make our lives healthier as we age, scientists are looking into how we can help these stem cells stay young. In a 2018 study from Keio University in Japan, published in NPJ Aging and Mechanisms of Disease, researchers focused on the guts of mice.

They found that older mice had fewer stem cells in their intestines. This was because of a decrease in activity from a gene called Lgr5, which plays a big role in cell growth.

Then they tried something interesting: they gave the older mice NMN. After taking NMN, the aged stem cells in the mice acted younger and grew better. It was like giving the cells a boost of energy, helping them grow and repair tissue like they used to.

Finally, this study on mice is an exciting step towards understanding how NMN might keep our bodies healthier for longer and imporve gut health. The scientists hope that in the future, they can test similar treatments on human cells to see if we can also benefit from them. [4]

NMN Shields the Gut from Radiation Damage in Cancer Treatment 

Radiotherapy, a cancer treatment, can unfortunately damage the gut, especially in elderly patients. Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College found a potential solution in NMN.

Moreover, published in the Free Radical Biology and Medicine journal in 2022, their study demonstrated that NMN might offer the gut protection from radiation's harmful effects and significantly imporves gut health. As people age, their gut becomes more susceptible to radiation damage, in part due to lower levels of a protective protein called NRF2. The study used special mice that mimicked this condition of aging by having less NRF2.

When these mice received radiation, they showed more gut damage. However, when given NMN, this damage was noticeably reduced. This protection, the researchers discovered, was linked to NMN-boosting levels of enzymes known as sirtuins, which safeguard cells. Additionally, NMN showed the potential to lessen the negative side effects of some cancer treatments and even enhance their effectiveness.

In conclusion,  NMN emerges as a hopeful candidate to safeguard patients from the side effects of radiation therapy and protects gut health . [5]

Conclusion 

Our understanding of gut health and its significance to our overall well-being continues to expand, and Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) has become a beacon of hope in this field. While the majority of the studies to date are based on animal models, the potential transformative effects of NMN on human gastrointestinal health are captivating.

For those considering NMN supplementation, HealthspanX's Ultra Pure NMN™ stands at the forefront, ensuring high-purity and rigorously tested products. As always, it's paramount to consult a healthcare professional before embarking on any supplementation. By harnessing the potential of NMN and staying informed, we inch closer to a future where gastrointestinal health is better understood and more effectively managed.

Citations

  1. Pan Huang, Xuxin Wang, Siyu Wang, Zhipeng Wu, Zhengrong Zhou, Genbao Shao, Caifang Ren, Meiqian Kuang, Yan Zhou, Anqi Jiang, Weihong Tang, Jianye Miao, Xin Qian, Aihua Gong, Min Xu. Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: Potential effect of NMN on intestinal barrier and gut microbiota. Current Research in Food Science, Volume 5, 2022, Pages 1403 1411. ISSN 2665-9271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crfs.2022.08.011.
  2. Hong SM, Lee AY, Hwang SM, Ha YJ, Kim MJ, Min S, Hwang W, Yoon G, Kwon SM, Woo HG, Kim HH, Jeong WI, Shen HM, Im SH, Lee D, Kim YS. NAMPT mitigates colitis severity by supporting redox-sensitive activation of phagocytosis in inflammatory macrophages. Also published in Redox Biol. 2022 Jan 15;50:102237. doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102237. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35063804.
  3. Huang P, Jiang A, Wang X, Zhou Y, Tang W, Ren C, Qian X, Zhou Z, Gong A. NMN Maintains Intestinal Homeostasis by Regulating the Gut Microbiota. Front Nutr. 2021 Jul 29;8:714604. DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.714604. PMID: 34395502; PMCID: PMC8358781.
  4. Uchida R, Saito Y, Nogami K, et al. Epigenetic silencing of Lgr5 induces senescence of intestinal epithelial organoids. During the process of aging [published correction appears in NPJ Aging Mech Dis. 2019 Mar 7;5:5]. NPJ Aging Mech Dis. 2018;5:1. Published 2018 Dec 1. doi: 10.1038/s41514-018-0031-5
  5. Zhao X, Zhang M, Wang J, Ji K, Wang Y, Sun X, Xu C, Wang Q, He N, Song H, Du L, Wang F, Huang H, Liu Y, Liu Q. NMN ameliorated radiation induced damage in NRF2-deficient cell and mice via regulating SIRT6 and SIRT7 imporving gut health. Free Radic Biol Med. 2022 Oct 14:S0891-5849(22)00897-8. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.10.267. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36252808.