How much NMN should I take per day?
A common question
One of the most common questions we get from our community is about the right dosage for Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN). At For Youth, we recommend taking one 250 mg capsule of The Base - NMN a day. To be precise, we actually suggest taking that dose in the early morning.
Even though we recommend one cap daily, surveys are showing us that 40% of our customers are actually taking more than one dose a day. They might have been inspired by prof. David Sinclair, who says he is taking 1000 mg every morning. There are good reasons as to why you might want to consider taking more than 250 mg a day, but let’s first look at why we recommend 250 mg.
Why For Youth recommends 250 mg
Most human studies are conducted with doses of 250 mg of NMN and these studies have shown that NMN is effective at this dose. Because we want to stick to scientific research as much as possible, this is the main reason why we are recommending a dose of 250 mg a day.
NMN is expensive due to the innovative manufacturing process and the safety measure that have been put in place. For Youth wants to make NMN accessible to many people that’s why we are putting 250 mg of this precious material in one capsule. Higher recommended doses would have meant higher prices, whilst a dose of 250 mg is already effective.
However, we do recognise that there might be reasons why you might want to take a higher dose. We can’t give general advise on this, it really depends per person.
Why you might want to consider a higher dose
A recent study from 2020 has tested the safety of NMN up to doses of 500 mg and no adverse side effects were found. The team of scientists concluded that one dose up to 500 mg is safe and well-tolerated. The team didn’t do any research into higher doses, but that doesn’t rule out that a 1000 mg dose would not be safe.
NAD+ is needed to repair our DNA and maintain overall cellular health and these levels go down progressively with age. Supplementing NMN can maintain NAD+ levels, but because the levels decline progressively, older people might actually benefit from higher doses. A study conducted on middle-aged mice showed that a dose - equivalent to a dose in humans - of 500 mg a day prevented most age-related physiological decline. This would suggest people that are older than 50 might benefit from higher doses, whilst for people in their 30s or 40s a dose of 250 mg might be sufficient.
Another factor to consider is body weight. More body mass means more cells, thus more NMN would be needed to raise NAD+ levels. If you are heavier than average, you might want to consider taking an extra capsule per day.
A rule of thumb
Considering what we explained in the sections above, we still stand by our recommended dose of 250 mg - at least when you’re start taking NMN for the first time. If you feel the effects of NMN are limited, your body might require more NMN to adequately raise NAD+ levels and you may want to consider increasing the dose. Besides your personal health status, age and weight would be the best factors to use to decide the dosage you would need. And when in doubt, always seek the help of a health or medical professional.
The future of dosing
Defining the right dose ultimately depends on your personal situation. There is no straightforward answer. Age, weight, spending power, overall health… all these factors might play a role. At For Youth, we are very aware of this challenge and we also see a way forward.
If you have been using NMN for a month or 2 or 3 and you’re only noticing minor effects, you might want to consider increasing the dose. A more scientific way of approaching dosing, would be to regularly do a biological age test. A small improvement or even an increase of your biological age could indicate your dose is too low.
In the near future, For Youth will also launch a bioavailability tests to determine your NAD+ levels. By tracking your levels, you could optimise the dose you need even better.
-FY
FAQ:
How much NMN should I take per day?
The proper daily dosage of NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide) can vary depending on several factors including your age, health status, and the specific goals you are trying to achieve by taking NMN. As of my last update in 2023, there isn't a universally agreed-upon dosage, largely because research on NMN is still in relatively early stages and is ongoing. However, some general guidelines have emerged based on the available studies and expert opinions.
General Suggested Dosage: Most studies and experts lean towards a range of 250mg to 500mg per day for healthy adults as a starting point. This dosage is considered safe and potentially effective for boosting NAD+ levels in the body, which is thought to be beneficial for aging and metabolism.
Clinical Research Dosages: Clinical trials investigating NMN have varied greatly in their dosage, from as low as 100mg per day to as high as 1,000mg or even 2,000mg per day. It's important to note that higher dosages are typically administered under close supervision in a clinical setting.
For Specific Goals or Conditions: If you are taking NMN for specific health reasons or conditions, your optimal dosage might differ. Consultation with a healthcare provider is crucial in such cases, as they can offer advice tailored to your health profile and needs.
Age Considerations: Older adults, who might benefit the most from NMN due to its potential to offset age-related NAD+ decline, might opt for the higher end of the general suggested dosage range, but again, starting slow and consulting with a healthcare provider is advisable.
Adjustments Over Time: Starting with a lower dose and gradually increasing it while monitoring your body's response is a prudent approach. This method allows you to find the sweet spot where you notice benefits without experiencing any adverse effects.
Side Notes
Absorption and Bioavailability: The bioavailability of NMN can be influenced by the form of NMN you are taking (e.g., sublingual, capsules, powder) and possibly your metabolism. This variation might impact how much NMN actually reaches your bloodstream, affecting the ideal dosage.
Regulation and Quality: Since NMN supplements are not strictly regulated in many regions, the quality and purity of the product can vary considerably. Ensure you source NMN from reputable suppliers.
Consultation is Crucial: Before starting any new supplement regimen, particularly one involving novel compounds like NMN, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or are taking medication.
