Effects of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials
Feng Chen et al. · Current Diabetes Reports · 2024
Evidence type: Systematic review and meta-analysisInterpretive weight: LimitedResearch area: Glucose and lipid metabolism
DesignSystematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
PopulationMiddle-aged and older adults in eight RCTs; mainly non-diabetic
Sample8 RCTs; 342 participants
InterventionOral NMN 250–2,000 mg/day for 14 days to 12 weeks versus control
This systematic review pooled eight randomized NMN trials involving 342 adults to test whether short-term NMN supplementation improves conventional glucose-control or lipid outcomes.
Across the pooled analyses, NMN did not significantly improve fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, or lipid profiles.
The review therefore provides an important counterweight to broad metabolic-benefit claims: raising NAD-related biomarkers does not automatically translate into measurable improvements in standard glucose or lipid endpoints.
Key findings
Eight RCTs involving 342 adults were included.
Doses ranged from 250 to 2,000 mg/day for 14 days to 12 weeks.
No significant pooled benefit was found for fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, or lipid profile.
The included evidence was short term and based mainly on relatively healthy adults.
What it cannot establish
Only eight RCTs were available.
Trials were small and short.
Participants and intervention doses varied across studies.
Most participants were relatively healthy and non-diabetic.
Meta-analysis cannot overcome limitations or biases in the underlying trials.
HealthspanX claim boundary: This review does not support general claims that NMN improves glucose control, insulin resistance or lipid profiles in adults.
