Liposomal NMN: The Benefits of NMN and Research Behind Liposomal Delivery
The past decade has seen an explosion of research on the importance of maintaining internal stores of NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). As a vital molecule that helps other enzymes function properly, NAD+ is required by virtually every cell in the human body. Without it, we’d die—and with declining levels, we exhibit signs of aging and disease.
Despite its essentiality, NAD+ levels are known to decline with age, which increases the risk of accelerated aging and the development or progression of age-related disorders. Keeping NAD+ levels elevated, especially in later life, may help to slow down aspects of the aging process and keep our cells and organs healthy with each passing year.
Nicotinamide mononucleotide, or NMN, is a promising compound that is rising in popularity for its role in supporting longevity and overall health with age due to its ability to be converted into NAD+. NMN is available in a variety of forms including capsules, powder and sublingual. A new and exciting form of NMN has entered the chat—and it may be more bioavailable than ever before.
The Lowdown on Liposomal NMN
Although there are many ways to supplement with NMN, including acid-resistant capsules, powder and sublingual tablets, liposomal delivery is now another option.
What Are Liposomes?
Liposomes are nano-sized, bubble-shaped molecules that have a unique structure thought to significantly boost absorption and utilization in the body.
They are made up of a double layer of phospholipids surrounding a liquid center. Phospholipids are fat-based compounds that make up our cell membranes, consisting of both a water-loving (hydrophilic) “head” and a water-hating (hydrophobic) “tail.” This double-layered bubble protects the compound inside, allowing it to travel through the harsh digestive tract and bloodstream until it meets our cells. From there, the liposome merges with our cell membranes and releases the inner nutrient contents into the cell.
The Benefits of Choosing a Liposomal Supplement
The body recognizes and accepts liposomal structures because they are phospholipid-based, mimicking our own cell membranes. This means compounds can be directly delivered into cells without fearing degradation or excretion in the urine before utilization.
Studies have looked into liposomal technology for delivering various compounds, like sulforaphane, vitamin C and glutathione. While we don’t have research yet looking at the absorption rates of liposomal NMN, research shows that liposomal vitamin C increased bioavailability by 75% compared to non-liposomal vitamin C supplements.
So, due to the increasing amounts of research showing that liposomes enhance the delivery and absorption of other compounds and nutrients, the same could go for NMN, which is why ProHealth Longevity’s Liposomal NMN was created.
While it is anticipated that liposomal NMN could have a greater bioavailability than a typical capsule form, the effects may be similar to that of sublingual or gastric acid-resistant capsules. Therefore, liposomal NMN may improve absorption and utilization, but we don’t have clinical research to back this up yet—and we’re still also fans of sublingual, powder and acid-resistant NMN capsules for their effectiveness.
Overall, although we don’t have enough evidence-based research comparing liposomal NMN versus other delivery systems, the research with other compounds suggests that liposomal NMN is certainly promising for increasing its bioavailability.
Why People Over 40 Should Supplement With Liposomal NMN
Due to its status as a precursor to NAD+, NMN has been studied for its effects on health markers that commonly deteriorate with age. Although the majority of the studies on NMN have been done with animals or cell-based cultures, several recent trials have tested the compound’s effects in humans. And ProHealth Longevity’s NMN is an excellent option, as it’s the first NMN available on the market that's clinically studied in a peer-reviewed, double-blind, placebo-controlled, published clinical trial.
Extends Lifespan in Animals
Although we don’t have research studying the effects of NMN on human lifespan, studies have shown that boosting NAD+ synthesis in the body extends the lifespan of yeast, worms, and flies. In rodents, some research has found that supplemental NMN can slow the drop in NAD+ levels and the concurrent physiological decline of these organs that leads to age-related disorders.
In humans, a recent clinical trial found that 300mg of Uthever NMN (found in ProHealth Longevity NMN) increased serum NAD+ levels by 38% from baseline and reduced biological age by 12 years.
Supports Blood Sugar Control
This study in postmenopausal women found that supplemental NMN improved several markers of blood sugar control that are commonly dysregulated in people with metabolic disorders. Animal studies have also proved NMN’s benefits to metabolic health. In a 2016 study, mice who were NMN-supplemented for 12 months had significantly improved insulin sensitivity (how responsive cells are to insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar). A similar study found that supplementing mice with NMN led to significantly improved blood sugar regulation, increased NAD+ concentrations, and better insulin sensitivity.
Supports Physical Health
Although excessive body weight can develop at any age, adults over age 40 are particularly susceptible to age-related weight gain as metabolism slows down and body composition is altered to favor fat over lean muscle. As obese individuals have reductions in both NAD+ levels and ATP (energy) production, replenishing NAD+ through NMN can help to reverse this while supporting metabolic pathways to maintain a healthy weight. In a study published in Cell Metabolism, mice who received either 100 or 300 mg/kg dose of NMN for 12 months had reductions in body weight by 4% and 9%, respectively. NMN is also linked to an improvement in lower limb motor function and an increase in several markers of aerobic function when exercising.
Supports Healthy Cognition
A reduction in brain NAD+ levels can impair the function of our mitochondria—the cell’s energy production centers—which is thought to be a cause of declining cognitive function with age. Replenishing NAD+ stores through NMN may be able to ward off this dysfunction. NMN has been found to inhibit the buildup of beta-amyloid plaques that are indicative of some neurological conditions. A study found that older mice who received supplemental NMN had improvements in spatial working memory, gait coordination, and the health of blood vessels in the brain. In another study, NMN improved the health and integrity of the cerebral blood flow system and the brain, leading to healthier blood flow and nutrient delivery in the brains of aged mice.
Supports Healthy Skin
In our 30s and 40s, the appearance of our skin can start to show signs of age. One way to prevent or slow down this decline may be by supplementing with NMN. Several studies have examined how boosting NAD+ levels in the skin prevents premature skin aging or supports a healthier external appearance. One recent study found that adding NMN to mouse and human skin cells led to protection against UV-related damage by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Another study showed that skin cell recovery after sun damage was supported by increasing the enzyme needed to produce NMN.
The ProHealth Advantage
ProHealth Longevity uses Uthever NMN (manufactured by Effepharm), creating products of exceptionally high quality, potency, and purity. The Uthever Scientific Quality Standard Setting Team is under the direction of a former USP scientist who ensures that Uthever NMN is in strict accordance with quality standards.
ProHealth Longevity Uthever NMN is manufactured in an FDA-registered, GMP-certified facility in the USA and each batch is third-party tested, so you know you can trust the purity and quality.
References:
Fang EF, Kassahun H, Croteau DL, et al. NAD+ Replenishment Improves Lifespan and Healthspan in Ataxia Telangiectasia Models via Mitophagy and DNA Repair. Cell Metab. 2016;24(4):566-581. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2016.09.004
Feng Z, Qin Y, Huo F, et al. NMN recruits GSH to enhance GPX4-mediated ferroptosis defense in UV irradiation-induced skin injury. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis. 2022;1868(1):166287. doi:10.1016/j.bbadis.2021.166287
Gopi S, Balakrishnan P. Evaluation and clinical comparison studies on liposomal and non-liposomal ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and their enhanced bioavailability. J Liposome Res. 2021;31(4):356-364. doi:10.1080/08982104.2020.1820521
Katayoshi T, Nakajo T, Tsuji-Naito K. Restoring NAD+ by NAMPT is essential for the SIRT1/p53-mediated survival of UVA- and UVB-irradiated epidermal keratinocytes. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2021;221:112238. doi:10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2021.112238
Kim M, Seol J, Sato T, Fukamizu Y, Sakurai T, Okura T. Effect of 12-Week Intake of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide on Sleep Quality, Fatigue, and Physical Performance in Older Japanese Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2022;14(4):755. Published 2022 Feb 11. doi:10.3390/nu14040755
Kiss T, Nyúl-Tóth Á, Balasubramanian P, et al. Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation promotes neurovascular rejuvenation in aged mice: transcriptional footprint of SIRT1 activation, mitochondrial protection, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects. Geroscience. 2020;42(2):527-546. doi:10.1007/s11357-020-00165-5
Liao B, Zhao Y, Wang D, Zhang X, Hao X, Hu M. Nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation enhances aerobic capacity in amateur runners: a randomized, double-blind study. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2021;18(1):54. Published 2021 Jul 8. doi:10.1186/s12970-021-00442-4
Mills KF, Yoshida S, Stein LR, et al. Long-Term Administration of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Mitigates Age-Associated Physiological Decline in Mice. Cell Metab. 2016;24(6):795-806. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2016.09.013
Sinha R, Sinha I, Calcagnotto A, et al. Oral supplementation with liposomal glutathione elevates body stores of glutathione and markers of immune function. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2018;72(1):105-111. doi:10.1038/ejcn.2017.132
Tarantini S, Valcarcel-Ares MN, Toth P, et al. Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation rescues cerebromicrovascular endothelial function and neurovascular coupling responses and improves cognitive function in aged mice. Redox Biol. 2019;24:101192. doi:10.1016/j.redox.2019.101192
Wang X, Hu X, Yang Y, Takata T, Sakurai T. Nicotinamide mononucleotide protects against β-amyloid oligomer-induced cognitive impairment and neuronal death. Brain Res. 2016;1643:1-9. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2016.04.060
Yepes-Molina L, Pérez-Jiménez MI, Martínez-Esparza M, et al. Membrane Vesicles for Nanoencapsulated Sulforaphane Increased Their Anti-Inflammatory Role on an In Vitro Human Macrophage Model. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(4):1940. Published 2022 Feb 9. doi:10.3390/ijms23041940
Yoshino J, Mills KF, Yoon MJ, Imai S. Nicotinamide mononucleotide, a key NAD(+) intermediate, treats the pathophysiology of diet- and age-induced diabetes in mice. Cell Metab. 2011;14(4):528-536. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2011.08.014
Yoshino M, Yoshino J, Kayser BD, et al. Nicotinamide mononucleotide increases muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women. Science. 2021;372(6547):1224-1229. doi:10.1126/science.abe9985