NMN Supplementation Bolsters Exercise Stamina in Midlife Runners: Insights from a Human Trial
Athletes worldwide constantly seek various options to enhance their endurance and overall performance. Of late, considerable evidence points towards nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation as a potent tool to augment exercise stamina, albeit primarily demonstrated in rodent models. A human trial led by Hu and colleagues at Guangzhou Sport University explored whether the same advantages apply to humans.
Significant Gains in Oxygen Utilization and Endurance
The research, published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, reveals that NMN supplementation, when consumed orally, can significantly improve aerobic capacity in adult runners. By boosting the capacity of skeletal muscles to efficiently utilize oxygen, NMN seems to contribute to enhanced energy production during endurance training.
Enhanced Endurance: A Combined Approach
Hu and colleagues proposed that NMN could be beneficial as an adjunct treatment to enhance exercise training performance. In essence, combining exercise training with NMN supplementation might present a practical and innovative approach to augment the endurance performance of athletes.
Applicability in Humans: A Decade of Research
Studies over the past decade have documented NMN's positive influence on healthy aging, longevity enhancement, and exercise performance in rodent models. Recent studies offer compelling evidence that these benefits extend to humans, particularly in the context of insulin sensitivity in prediabetic menopausal women and muscle function in men above the age of 60. However, the effect of NMN on health, aging, and exercise in younger adults remained uncharted until now.
NMN's Impact on Healthy, Middle-Aged Runners
To ascertain the benefits of NMN in healthy, middle-aged individuals, Hu and team conducted a six-week trial. Administering oral NMN powder at dosages of 300, 600, or 1200 mg/day to runners led to noticeable improvements in the body's capacity to absorb and deliver oxygen to tissues, particularly at 600 and 1200 mg/day dosages. Furthermore, NMN, in combination with exercise, seems to improve oxygen utilization capabilities, particularly at higher dosages.
NMN: Safe for Consumption at Higher Dosages
Investigating potential adverse effects of NMN, Hu and team found no evidence of harm. No abnormalities were detected in heart examinations or exercise testing, indicating that middle-aged individuals can safely consume NMN up to 1200 mg/day.
Conclusion
The research conducted by Hu and his team provides compelling evidence that NMN supplementation can substantially boost exercise endurance in middle-aged runners by enhancing oxygen utilization. This groundbreaking trial lays the foundation for athletes to consider including NMN supplementation in their training regimens. Coupled with exercise, NMN might not only boost performance during training but also potentially elevate endurance over extended periods. While further studies are needed to cement these findings, NMN seems to be a promising supplement for those striving for increased endurance and athletic performance.