Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is showing promising health and longevity benefits due to its unique ability to convert into oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a coenzyme found in all cells that assists with energizing everyday bodily functions such as energy production, metabolism, and gene expression. As we age, NAD+ levels naturally decline and our cells stop dividing, which contributes to the loss of function seen in people who are aged and those who suffer from chronic disease. This process is called cell senescence. By increasing levels of NAD+ in our system by taking NMN supplements, we can offset senescence and improve our cellular health.The most well-known NMN benefits include:・Improved mitochondrial healt・Increased energy productio・Cognitive improvemen・Reduced obesit・Healthy metabolis・Increased fertilit・Healthy gene expressionJust as people’s immunity is impacted by different variables like genetics, environmental influences, diet, and lifestyle, NMN supplements are also composed differently. You should know what to look for in NMN supplements and be aware of which products blend best with your body and personally provide the most value. Let’s take a look at how you can determine what the best NMN supplement is for you.How to Choose the Best NMN Supplement for You: What to Look For1. A Supplier with an Excellent ReputationQuality NMN comes from quality suppliers. But how can you tell a company is reputable? You can check the Better Business Bureau to see how long the company has been in business, what their current rating is, and if there have been any complaints filed against them. An esteemed company will have good reviews and ratings across multiple platforms and is a great place to start when deciding on the right product so you can get the benefits of NMN. Check the company website or do an internet search to see if they have accumulated positive NMN supplement reviews.2. Good Manufacturing Facility PracticesA respected NMN supplier will have ethical operating procedures when it comes to manufacturing. A facility producing NMN should be FDA-registered and FDA-compliant in current Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) regulations. Being GMP-certified means the FDA has found the company’s facilities, equipment, and ability to manufacture NMN products up to par with the standard regulations. You may also consider looking into whether the facility is climate-controlled. NMN supplements can quickly degrade at high temperatures, which is why they should be produced in a facility where appropriate temperatures are kept during the manufacturing process.3. Third-Party TestingOne of the most important things to check when determining which NMN supplement is the best is whether or not the manufacturing company submits its product for independent, third-party testing. Testing by a non-biased party will ensure the product is pure (99% or higher) pharmaceutical-grade NMN, free of heavy metals. You can check the supplier’s website for third-party testing information, or contact their customer service directly. Verification of third-party testing is a simple way to ensure you’re buying from a reputable source. Any company using third-party testing should be happy to share that information with you.4. Product PurityAs previously mentioned, the best NMN supplements will have 99% purity or higher. It will also not contain any fillers or byproducts such as GMOs, dairy, egg, soy, gluten, artificial chemicals, heavy metals, or solvents used in the actual processing of the product. Check labels for any of these ingredients, or you can always directly contact the company to ask about their NMN production process.5. PricingIt’s always tempting to try to save money every chance you can get, but with NMN specifically, you get what you pay for. Low-cost NMN will likely be food-grade, not pharmaceutical grade, which means the NMN benefits aren’t the same. It comes back to the involved process required to create a product with 99% purity or higher. If the price is low, the percentage of NMN is likely also low — if it exists at all. Considering your budget is important when determining where to buy NMN supplements, but you may end up paying more in the long run when opting for lower-priced NMN products if you don’t see any health benefits from them.6. Consumer-Satisfaction GuaranteeHighly regarded NMN supplement companies usually provide some kind of guarantee of compensation should you find yourself not fully satisfied with the results of your purchase. Check the fine print on a supplier’s website or call the company to verify whether they afford any money-back guarantees if returned by a specific date. For example, some companies may offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, which should be enough time to determine if the NMN supplement product is a good fit for you.7. Product ResearchWith NMN being more heavily researched for its benefits to overall health and longevity as a necessary NAD+ precursor, the chances of a particular NMN product being used in human clinical trials exist. Only NMN products whose quality and purity can be verified are used for studies, so you may want to see if the product you’re interested in is being considered or used for research purposes. While most companies proudly display this online, you can always call customer service to double-check if you can’t locate that information yourself.8. Form of DeliverySupplementary NMN can be purchased as powder, lozenges, tablets, and capsules, each having a unique ability to get into your system in different ways. When figuring out how to choose NMN supplements, your personal preference is really the key. If tablets and capsules are difficult to swallow, starting with NMN powder or a lozenge may be the best option for you. For convenience purposes while traveling, for example, an easy-to-carry pill or lozenge may provide the best solution. A good company will likely have a variety of NMN forms available to suit your needs, so consider which form may be best for you. No matter which form you take, NMN is absorbed from the gut and into the blood within two to three minutes, and completely absorbed into tissue within 15 minutes, according to a study in Biomolecules. Once in the liver, it is then converted and stored as NAD+ and persists for 30 minutes.Key TakeawaysFinding the best NMN supplement to assist in your efforts to recapture and maintain your youth can be easy when you know what questions to ask and what answers to listen for. A supplier with a long-standing, good reputation that adheres to FDA regulations will most likely provide you with a high-quality, third-party tested, pharmaceutical-grade NMN product. Don’t forget to read NMN supplement reviews, and when in doubt, go directly to customer service with any concerns or questions you may have. When you get close to committing to a purchase, remember to check for any satisfaction guarantees to confirm you are making a risk-free, sound investment in your health.ReferencesCenter for Drug Evaluation and Research. (n.d.). Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) Regulations. Retrieved June 15, 2020, from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/pharmaceutical-quality-resources/current-good-manufacturing-practice-cgmp-regulationsOffice of Regulatory Affairs. (n.d.). Registration and Listing. Retrieved June 15, 2020, from https://www.fda.gov/industry/fda-basics-industry/registration-and-listingPoddar SK, Sifat AE, Haque S, Nahid NA, Chowdhury S, Mehedi I. Nicotinamide Mononucleotide: Exploration of Diverse Therapeutic Applications of a Potential Molecule. Biomolecules 

Sirtuins are a family of proteins that function as enzymes and play a key role in cellular health, aging, and longevity. Nicknamed as the “longevity genes,” the seven sirtuin family members are susceptible to the age-related decline in function seen with many other cellular processes. This article will detail the basics of how sirtuins function, the recent research on how they impact lifespan and chronic disease, and how to best activate them to ensure a long lifespan and healthspan.Sirtuins: The BasicsSirtuins are dependent on NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), the coenzyme needed by every cell in our bodies. However, NAD+ levels naturally decline with age, and the functioning of sirtuins declines right alongside it. Maintaining NAD+ levels can reduce the decline in sirtuin function, as well as minimize cellular aging and chronic diseases. Although you can’t supplement directly with NAD+, you can take one of its precursors, such as NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide), to boost it.Each of the seven sirtuins behaves slightly differently but has the same goal in mind: regulating cellular health and controlling the aging process. The sirtuins are classified as SIRT1-7. Although the seven sirtuins are found in different areas of the body — SIRT3, 4, and 5 are located in the mitochondria, SIRT1, 6, and 7 are in the nucleus, and SIRT2 is in the cytoplasm — all can slow down cellular senescence, the process by which cells stop dividing and lose function, ultimately leading to accelerated aging.  Some of the main functions of sirtuins include: ・Repairing damaged DNA, which is thought to be a leading cause of cellular senescenc・Upregulating mitochondrial activit・Increasing antioxidant pathways, which reduces oxidative damag・Responding and adapting to cellular stressor・Regulating telomere activity — telomeres are the “endcaps” of DNA that protect our chromosomes and shorten with age.・Controlling inflammatio・Generating cellular energy through ATP productioSirtuins and LongevityAs NAD+ levels decline with age, sirtuin activity is reduced, which impacts cellular communication and contributes to the pathogenesis of aging and related diseases. Although sirtuins were only discovered approximately 20 years ago, the body of research is ever-growing as scientists aim to determine just how sirtuins impact longevity in humans.Initial research into sirtuins was done on yeast and animals. A 1999 study published in Genes and Development found that overexpression of SIRT2 extended the lifespan of yeast by 30%, fueling the idea that sirtuins promote longevity and reduce age-related diseases. Additionally, a 2013 study in Cell Metabolism found that increasing SIRT1 in the brain led to delayed aging and extended lifespan in mice, adding credence to the idea that sirtuins are involved in brain health.To date, however, research on the sirtuins’ impact on longevity has been largely confined to yeast and animal studies. The primary correlation involves SIRT3. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SIRT3 have been linked to increased human lifespan in centenarians. Although these results are promising, it should be noted that further research is needed in humans.Recent Research on SirtuinsAlthough SIRT2 was the first sirtuin to be discovered, SIRT1 is the most commonly studied of the bunch. The reduction in SIRT1 levels widely seen with age is linked to dysfunction in the arteries, liver, blood vessels, endothelial cells, and brain. However, all seven sirtuins play an essential role in health and longevity. The top-researched areas in which sirtuins have been studied for their actions in human health are related to cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases.1. Cardiovascular DiseaseThe main players associated with mitigating the age-related decline in cardiovascular health are SIRT1, 3, 6, and 7. These sirtuins have been found to protect cardiac muscle cells from oxidative stress, suppress cardiac hypertrophy, and reduce dyslipidemia and the stress response in the heart. Due to the high energy requirements of the heart, the sirtuins’ ability to increase mitochondrial function and ATP production is a primary mechanism in which they protect the heart. Of the sirtuins, SIRT1 and SIRT3 are likely the two that prevent cardiovascular disease the most, as they function to reduce oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction while protecting the endothelial cells that line the circulatory system.2. Metabolic DiseasesDisorders involving dysregulated metabolism include type 2 diabetes, obesity, and insulin resistance. As the sirtuins are involved in metabolism through their effects on mitochondria and ATP, it’s not surprising that they benefit metabolic diseases. Many of the sirtuins, specifically SIRT1, have been studied for their ability to suppress inflammation, which is a root cause of many chronic diseases. Humans with reduced SIRT1 expression tend to have increased glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. In diabetic mice, administering NMN enhanced insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. In a study published in Cell Metabolism, the authors indicate that SIRT1 was likely the primary mechanism through which these beneficial effects were seen.3. Neurodegenerative DiseasesNeurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease, have also been mitigated by sirtuin activation or upregulation.In the brain, SIRT1 is expressed in neurons of the hippocampus, the primary center associated with memory and learning. In a July 2010 study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, mice who did not have SIRT1 had impaired cognition, memory, and synaptic plasticity.In humans, a decrease in SIRT1 levels in the brain of patients with Alzheimer’s disease was paralleled with the stage and duration of the disease. The study also found that greater SIRT1 levels were linked to a reduction in the duration of Alzheimer’s-related symptoms and an increase in brain weight.Sirtuin ActivationAlthough sirtuin functioning decreases with age, there are plenty of ways to prevent or slow down this degradation.Activation of sirtuins can be achieved by several mechanisms, including caloric restriction, certain supplements, and, of course, maintaining adequate NAD+ levels. Supporting your body’s NAD+ levels as you age is essential to ensure proper sirtuin activation. This can be achieved through supplementation with NAD+ precursors, which include NMN and NR (nicotinamide riboside). The Top Ways to Activate Sirtuins:・NMN supplementation increases NAD+ levels, which will activate sirtuins. NMN has also been found to reverse the age-related decline of SIRT1・Exercise, including aerobic, interval, and resistance training, can activate SIRT1 and SIRT3・Caloric restriction activates SIRT1, SIRT3, and SIRT6; sirtuins are thought to be the driving factor behind how calorie restriction extends lifespan.・Resveratrol, specifically trans-resveratrol, may preserve sirtuin function.・Curcumin can activate SIRT1 expression.Key Takeaways・Sirtuins are a family of proteins that play a role in aging and age-related diseases.・They are dependent on NAD+; both sirtuin and NAD+ levels decline with age.・Increased sirtuin activity has been linked to increased lifespan in yeast and animals and reduced risk or progression of cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases in humans.・Sirtuins can be activated by increasing NAD+ through NMN supplementation, caloric restriction, exercise, trans-resveratrol, and curcumin.