Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN)
What’s New This Month
- Legal status: In December 2025 letters, FDA said NMN is not excluded from the definition of a dietary supplement, following its 29 September 2025 response to an industry petition. 1
- Correction: The 400 mg-a-day FDA filing belongs to one maker, Kingdomway. FDA says accepting it for filing is not a finding that the ingredient is safe. We had wrongly named a second supplier on a separate letter; FDA’s record hides that firm’s name. 1
- India: FSSAI’s approved list as of 15 July 2026 includes one NMN approval, for one applicant. Press reported a July notice calling NMN unapproved, which we could not find at FSSAI. 2 3
- Product quality: Seven NMN products from four makers hold NSF/ANSI 173 listing. ConsumerLab’s 1 October 2026 update says most tested products gave the listed amount, yet one 2024 lab test found 3 of 18 with no NMN. 4 5 6
Overview
NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) is a molecule your cells use to make NAD+, which every cell needs to produce energy. NAD+ falls as people age, which is why NMN is sold as an anti-aging supplement. 7
The first published human trial tested it in women with prediabetes in 2021. 8
Sellers market NMN for healthy aging, energy, muscle strength, blood sugar, DNA repair, skin and hair, cognition, cancer protection and jet lag. 7
How We Researched It
We rate each marketing claim with a modified version of GRADE, the system medical researchers use to say how sure we can be (i.e., high, moderate, low or very low), and check each trial with the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, which asks whether a study’s design could skew its results. For NMN we used 24 evidence records: 8 reviews, 15 trials and one product test. We also checked 10 regulators and safety databases, including the FDA, EFSA, Health Canada and Australia’s TGA.
Research NotesTop three benefits
Healthy Aging GRADE: Very Low
Oral NMN raises blood NAD+ (+43.1 units over placebo at 1,000 mg for 14 days), but no human trial has measured frailty or survival. The only lifespan data come from mice, in an unreviewed preprint. 9 12 11
Bias check: Most positive-sounding studies measure a lab marker, not how people actually age or feel. 13
Endurance and Gait GRADE: Low
A 2026 network review of 27 studies (7 of NMN) found medium and high NMN doses improved endurance, but no precursor eased fatigue or built strength. Gait is mixed: one review found faster walking, another none. 15 26 14
Bias check: Few trials, and most were funded by NMN makers. 15
DNA Repair GRADE: Very Low
NMN’s role in DNA repair comes from cell and animal studies only; no human trial has measured whether it repairs DNA in people.
Bias check: A plausible lab mechanism is not the same as a proven human benefit.
Benefit Evaluation
| Claim | Claim Verdict | Research Confidence | Supporting Evidence | Safety Risk | Product Quality | FactStack™ Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy Aging | TBD | Very Low | TBD | Caution | Inconsistent | Warning |
| Endurance and Gait | TBD | Low | TBD | Caution | Inconsistent | Warning |
| DNA Repair | TBD | Very Low | TBD | Caution | Inconsistent | Warning |
| Cognition | TBD | Very Low | TBD | Caution | Inconsistent | Warning |
| Skin and Hair | TBD | Very Low | TBD | Caution | Inconsistent | Warning |
| Cancer Protection | TBD | Very Low | TBD | Caution | Inconsistent | Warning |
| Energy | Doubtful | Low | Doubtful | Caution | Inconsistent | Warning |
| Muscle Strength | Doubtful | Low | Doubtful | Caution | Inconsistent | Warning |
| Heart Health and Blood Pressure | Doubtful | Low | Doubtful | Caution | Inconsistent | Warning |
| Metabolic Health | Unsupported | Moderate | Unconvincing | Caution | Inconsistent | Warning |
What Sellers Say vs. What Studies Show
| “It dramatically raises your NAD+.” | True for blood: 1,000 mg for 14 days raised it about 43 units over placebo. The one trial that measured muscle tissue found no rise there. 9 10 |
| “It slows aging and extends life.” | The only lifespan data come from an unreviewed mouse study; no human trial has measured aging or lifespan. 11 12 |
| “It improves blood sugar and metabolic health.” | The largest pooled review, 513 people, found no change in glucose, insulin, cholesterol or weight. 13 |
| “FDA banned NMN as unsafe.” | In December 2025 letters, FDA said NMN is not excluded from the definition of a dietary supplement. Accepting a filing is not a finding of safety. 1 |
| “It boosts muscle strength and energy.” | A review of older adults found no meaningful gain in grip strength, and a network review found no precursor eased fatigue. 14 15 |
| “Every NMN product is lab-verified.” | One 2024 lab test found 3 of 18 products held no NMN. Only seven products from four makers hold NSF/ANSI 173 listing. 6 4 |
Trial ParametersIf you try it
| Who | Healthy adults who choose to try it; no marketed health benefit is established. Avoid if pregnant, breastfeeding or under 18. |
| Dose | At or below 500 mg a day. EFSA judged 300 mg a day safe for adults, and one FDA-filed notification covers up to 400 mg. 16 1 |
| Ceiling | 500 mg a day. Australia’s TGA permits up to 500 mg for 12 weeks or less. Some products exceed the niacin upper limit. 17 5 |
| Duration | Stop at 12 to 24 weeks, the longest period studied. Long-term safety is unknown. 18 |
| Form | Oral. Choose an NSF-listed product; one 2024 lab test found 3 of 18 products held no NMN. 4 6 |
| Ask First | Pregnancy or breastfeeding; under 18; diabetes on glucose-lowering drugs; serious illness. |
How to Take It
| Pick a plan | If you try it, trials used 250 mg to 1,000 mg a day for 14 days to 24 weeks; there is no official dose. 18 |
| Time of day | Not reported. |
| With food | Not reported. |
| What to expect | You likely will not feel a difference; trials mostly measured blood tests, not how people feel. 13 |
| How to take | Take it as the label directs, and check for an NSF/ANSI 173 listing first. 4 |
Works With / Don’t Mix With
✓ Works with
Not reported. We found no supplement shown to add to NMN’s effect.
A doctor’s check. For low energy or metabolic concerns, a medical work-up is the usual route; we did not compare it here.
⚠ Ask first / don’t mix
Diabetes drugs that lower blood sugar. NMN’s effect on glucose is unproven either way; ask your doctor before combining them. Health Canada’s licensed product says to ask a practitioner first if diabetic. 13 19
Pregnancy, breastfeeding or under 18. EFSA’s opinion and Australia’s rule exclude pregnancy and breastfeeding, and Health Canada’s licensed product says to ask a practitioner first. No safety data exist for children. 16 17 19
Serious illness. Trials enrolled only healthy or mildly metabolic adults, so effects in serious illness are unknown. 18
Manufacturer Recalls & WarningsLast 36 months, newest first
| Date | Maker / Brand | Product | Action | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | Inner Mongolia Kingdomway Pharmaceutical Limited | NMN new-ingredient notification (NDIN 1259) | One FDA-filed notification covers up to 400 mg a day for adults; FDA says accepting it for filing is not a finding that the ingredient is safe. It is not a recall. | 1 |
Where to Buy
We compare products side-by-side not just on price, but on whether NSF lists the product as NSF/ANSI 173 Contents Certified (an independent lab confirms the label matches the contents), whether it is NSF Certified for Sport, whether USP lists it as USP Verified, and whether the seller says it is manufactured in the USA. We leave out a brand’s products for this supplement when, in the last 36 months, the FDA took action against that brand over this supplement (a Class I or II recall, a warning letter, an import alert or an advisory letter). We also leave out any brand with an FDA Class II recall or warning letter on any product. We also leave out any product named in a California Prop 65 notice or a non-US recall, along with that brand’s products of the same ingredient and form. Brands with other actions stay listed and are marked in the Recall Screen column. Our goal remains to provide you, the Consumer, with the information and data necessary to make an informed purchasing decision. Prices reflected below are static and subject to change.
Ratings above describe the ingredient’s research, not any product listed below.
| # | Retailer | Product | Price | NSF 173 | NSF Sport | USP | Mfg. in USA (per seller) | Recall Screen | Affiliate link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | iHerb | Codeage, Liposomal NMN, 30 Vegetable Capsules | $39.99 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓* | View on iHerb ↗ | ||
| 2 | Amazon | Cata-Kor NMN Complex 500 mg, 60 Capsules | Check Price | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | View on Amazon ↗ | ||
| 3 | iHerb | Codeage, Liposomal NMN 1000 Powder, Unflavored, 1.2 oz (36 g) | $59.99 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓* | View on iHerb ↗ | ||
| 4 | Amazon | Codeage Liposomal NMN Platinum 500 mg, 90 Capsules | Check Price | ✓ | ✓ | ✓* | View on Amazon ↗ | ||
| 5 | iHerb | Nature's Craft, NMN, 60 Capsules (250 mg per Capsule) | $14.99 | ✓ | ✓ | View on iHerb ↗ | |||
| 6 | iHerb | NOW Foods, NMN, 250 mg, 60 Veg Capsules | $17.13 | ✓ | ✓* | View on iHerb ↗ | |||
| 7 | iHerb | Force Factor, NMN, 300 mg , 30 Vegetable Capsules | $19.99 | ✓ | ✓* | View on iHerb ↗ | |||
| 8 | Green's Nutrition | Nutricost NMN Capsules 60 Count | $31.95 | ✓ | ✓* | View on Green's Nutrition ↗ | |||
| 9 | Green's Nutrition | Superior Source Pure NMN 60 Tabs | $34.99 | ✓ | ✓ | View on Green's Nutrition ↗ |
Sources
1. FDA letter on NDIN 1259 (Kingdomway) with its account of the 29 Sep 2025 petition response, docket FDA-2022-S-0023, document 0069. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (via Regulations.gov), 2 Dec 2025. downloads.regulations.gov/FDA-2022-S-0023-0069/attachment_1.pdf
2. List of approved non-specified food applications (as on 15 July 2026). Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), 15 Jul 2026. fssai.gov.in/
3. NMN an unapproved ingredient for supplement use in India, says the FSSAI (press report). NutraIngredients, 3 Aug 2026. www.nutraingredients.com/Article/2026/08/03/nmn-an-unapproved-ingredient-for-supplement-use-in-india-says-the-fssai/
4. NSF Certified Dietary Supplements listing (NSF/ANSI 173). NSF International, 6 Oct 2026. info.nsf.org/Certified/Dietary/
5. NAD Booster Supplements Review (NAD+/NADH, nicotinamide riboside, NMN); product results behind a paywall. ConsumerLab.com, 1 Oct 2026. www.consumerlab.com/
6. Sandalova E et al. Content of NMN and urolithin A in commercial supplements versus label claims: HPLC-MS test of 18 products. GeroScience, 2024. doi.org/10.1007/s11357-024-01257-2
7. NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide): Benefits, Side Effects, and Dosage. Healthline, 29 May 2025. www.healthline.com/health/nmn-nicotinamide-mononucleotide-benefits-side-effects-and-dosage
8. Yoshino M et al. NMN increases muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women: 10-week randomized trial (n=25). Science, 2021. doi.org/10.1126/science.abe9985
9. Christen S et al. NMN and blood NAD+: 14-day randomized trial. Nature Metabolism, 2026. doi.org/10.1038/s42255-025-01421-8
10. Pencina KM et al. MIB-626 (NMN) in overweight adults: 28-day randomized trial (n=30). Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2023. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36740954/
11. Kane AE et al. Nicotinamide mononucleotide and lifespan in mice (preprint; not peer reviewed). bioRxiv, 2024. doi.org/10.1101/2024.06.21.599604
12. Gallagher et al. Systematic review of 113 studies of NAD+ precursors (33 human, 80 rodent). Ageing Research Reviews, 2026. doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2026.103057
13. Zhang J et al. NMN supplementation and metabolic, physical and safety outcomes: meta-analysis of 12 studies (n=513). Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 2024. doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2024.2387324
14. Prokopidis K et al. NMN and physical function in older adults: meta-analysis of 6 trials. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, 2025. doi.org/10.1002/jcsm.13799
15. Gao Y et al. NAD+ precursors and fatigue, strength, endurance and quality of life: network meta-analysis of 27 studies. Frontiers in Nutrition, 2026. doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2026.1890335
16. Safety of beta-nicotinamide mononucleotide as a novel food (EFSA Journal 24(5):e10007). European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), 11 May 2026. doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10007
17. Nicotinamide mononucleotide (compositional guideline). Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia, 2025. www.tga.gov.au/resources/resources/compositional-guidelines/nicotinamide-mononucleotide
18. Yang et al. NMN safety and metabolic outcomes: GRADE meta-analysis of 15 randomized trials. Nutrients, 2026. doi.org/10.3390/nu18142251
19. Licensed Natural Health Products Database: NPN 80121612, NMN, Natural Factors Nutritional Products Limited. Health Canada, Licensed 20 Oct 2022. health-products.canada.ca/lnhpd-bdpsnh/info?licence=80121612
20. openFDA food enforcement records, search for NMN (no records). US Food and Drug Administration (openFDA), 6 Oct 2026. api.fda.gov/food/enforcement.json?search=product_description:nmn
21. Warning Letters table, filtered for NMN and nicotinamide mononucleotide (no letters). US Food and Drug Administration, 6 Oct 2026. www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/compliance-actions-and-activities/warning-letters
22. Proposition 65 60-day notice list (CSV export searched for NMN). California Office of the Attorney General, 6 Oct 2026. oag.ca.gov/prop65/60-day-notice-list
23. CAERS adverse-event reports naming NMN products (openFDA food event records; data current to 7 Jul 2026). US Food and Drug Administration (openFDA), 6 Oct 2026. api.fda.gov/food/event.json?search=products.name_brand:nmn
24. Safety assessment of beta-NMN produced with strain STC2208, notice No. 54 (read in translation). Food Safety Commission of Japan, 4 Feb 2026. www.fsc.go.jp/
25. Niacin: Health Professional Fact Sheet (page stamp 'Updated: November 18, 2022'). NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, 18 Nov 2022. ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Niacin-HealthProfessional/
26. Wang et al. NMN and physical function and liver enzymes: meta-analysis of 9 studies. Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 2024. doi.org/10.2174/0113892010306242240808094303
