The 12 Best Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) Supplements (2023) Reviewed and Compared
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Posted by
David Rosales
✓ Medically Reviewed and Fact-Checked by Dr. Jesse Ropat, PharmD, RPh, B.Sc.
NMN supplements have become extremely popular in the last few years as an anti-aging intervention.
The rise in popularity can largely be attributed to David Sinclair’s 2019 book, Lifespan, where he discusses NMN and the research from his lab at Harvard.
Since then, more research has continued to pour out about NMN and its link to longevity.
I’m usually skeptical of new products, and definitely skeptical when their popularity rides on the backs of one person and their bestselling book.
However, in the last few years, I’ve heard recommendations from other doctors I trust, like Dr. Peter Attia. And Sinclair has the respect of other great scientists in the public eye, like Andrew Huberman. More importantly, recent research continues to affirm its potential.
Clearly, there’s something there, and the emerging questions over the next few years will be who it’s for, at what doses and frequency, what’s the best way to take it, and which NMN products stand out and why.
What Is NMN?
Okay, for starters, what is this molecule we’re talking about? This is a molecule called nicotinamide mononucleotide or simply NMN.
You can see this fancy-looking molecule right here. With its sexy-looking phosphate group (that phosphate has really been hitting the gym lately), and its ribose sugar to let you know it’s always up for a good time.
On a conceptual level, you may remember a molecule called NAD+ from high school biology and the dreaded Krebs Cycle. NMN is a precursor to NAD+. If you have more NMN, you’ll make more NAD+.
So to grossly oversimplify complex scientific processes, NMN plays a critical role in energy production. Remember that whole “the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell” thing. Well, that’s where NMN is working its magic. Inside the mitochondria.
Practically speaking, NMN has extensive research as an anti-aging molecule.
How Could It Possibly Slow Down The Aging Process?
NMN can improve metabolic health by improving insulin sensitivity (giving it even more potential for prediabetics), which in turn can improve almost everything else.
On a mechanistic level, NMN can act as an anti-aging supplement by providing fuel for a class of proteins called “sirtuins.” Sirtuins are enzymes that help turn metabolic proteins on and off as needed. They’re responsible for the “on and off” switch of tons of proteins, including those that regulate things like aging, inflammation, detoxification, stress resistance, metabolism, circadian rhythms, and something called mitochondrial biogenesis.
Their wide-ranging effects are partially what make sirtuins so interesting to study, because knowing how to activate them, which NMN can support, means we may be unlocking secrets to slowing aging, fighting inflammation, improving our metabolism, and more.
More specifically to longevity, these sirtuins can “turn on” proteins linked to longevity genes that keep us feeling young and spry. NMN can increase NAD levels, which increases sirtuin activity, which, researchers are discovering, is one of the key mechanisms for slowing down aging.
Think of sirtuins like Mike Wazowskis of the cell, always keeping the Sulleys on task. You can’t have a successful cell without them.
Teamwork makes the dream work.
Sirtuins also increase during exercise and fasting, both of which have shown as key players in improving longevity.
Again, I’m oversimplifying complex processes here, so if you want to go into the nitty-gritty, I suggest first listening to some podcasts with Sinclair, or diving into the research yourself. Maybe at some point I’ll write something more substantial on it.
Today, we’re here to talk about action steps, and the best NMN supplements so you can take advantage of this purported fountain of youth.
Because there’s so much excitement and cutting-edge research in this space, there are also a ton of awesome companies developing one-of-a-kind, research-backed products.
Every product on our list is GMP-certified and third-party tested.
*Note: We do have affiliate links throughout this article, which means we receive a commission if you purchase from any of our links. This supports our mission to bring complicated health and fitness info in an entertaining package. And it keeps us from putting up annoying things like banner ads. Those suck.
Best Overall: Wonderfeel® Youngr™ NMN
Best Liposomal: Ultra Health PUR Liposomal NMN
Best Bulk: Renue by Science Micronized Powder
1) Wonderfeel® Youngr™ NMN – Patented Formula
Youngr™ NMN provides a completely unique, trademarked formula developed by Harvard MD and leading biomedical scientist, Dr. Andrew Salzman. He has 30 years of direct research experience on NAD and NMN, and it shows in the quality of the product.
Simply, they have a patented form of NMN that no other companies have. Their patented NMN is more bioavailable, meaning it’s highly absorbable because it’s reinforced by a shield of enhancing agents, so it gets to your cells.
Typically, NMN goes through a complicated pathway to reach the cell. These enhancing agents help NMN to get through the bloodstream and into the cell where it needs to be. More importantly they protect the NMN inside the cell against the oxidants where it’s converted to NAD, which is the whole point.
Second, Youngr™ includes one of the highest doses, backed by the latest clinical trial. Each bottle contains 60 capsules with 450 mg of NMN in each capsule.
That’s much higher than other top products (usually around 150-250mg), for a similar price. Making overall a great value, even if the initial price, $73 with a subscription (and we recommend the subscription because the best impacts of NMN come when you take it consistently).
In addition to the high, clinically-tested dose of NMN, Youngr™ Includes other top-tier ingredients for health and longevity.
- Ergothioneine: known as a “longevity vitamin” it’s the ingredient in mushrooms like Lion’s Mane that give them their therapeutic properties. It supports cognitive function and cardiovascular health.
- Resveratrol: Unless you’re new to the longevity game, you’ll recognize resveratrol as another one of the most promising ingredients for living longer and healthier.
- Hydroxytyrosol: This is the key ingredient in olive oil that makes it so healthy.
- Vitamin D3: Yes, we all know how important vitamin D is too.
All told, it’s no wonder Youngr™ customers report remarkable results on everything from improving memory, to being able to run long distances again. It’s a fantastic formula with a high dose and competitive price.
Try Youngr™ at the lowest price
2) Ultra Health PUR Liposomal NMN
Ultra Health produces pharmaceutical-grade nmn products, and they have the documentation to back it up. There’s little question about the quality. They manufacture their own products and without a doubt have the strictest quality standards on our list.
In 2022, they released a new version with a liposomal, enteric coat to increase absorption.
The theory behind “liposomal” is that it surrounds the NMN in a protective layer, potentially helping increase bioavailability and absorption. This is a solid theory, but still a theory nonetheless, and liposomal capsules have basically no downside, other than the cost. Current evidence suggests that they’re easier to absorb, and more resistant to degradation in your gut, giving your body access to more of what you’re putting into it.
Even with the highest quality out there, Ultra Health NMN capsules are still competitively priced. Every bottle comes with 30 vegetarian capsules with 250mg of NMN for under $44.
This combination of unmatched quality, liposomal delivery, and competitive price is why Ultra Health NMN is our top liposomal pick.
3) Renue by Science LIPO NMN
Check Lowest Price And Use Code “RFS10” For 10% Off
You’ll see Renue by Science featured several times in this list, and that’s for a few reasons, which we discuss in the How We Ranked section of this article.
First, longevity is what they do. It’s their whole thing, and they’re damn good at it. All their products are not only third-party lab tested, but tested in an FDA-approved facility in the USA.
(This comes in contrast to most of the supplement industry, which is not FDA-approved so companies can put almost whatever crap they want in their products and get away with it.)
Renue’s LIPO NMN product used powdered liposomes, which may increase absorption.
Renue has tamong he best cost per gram and among the strictest third-party testing.
For high-quality NMN in a bioavailable form, check out Renue LIPO NMN.
4) Renue by Science Pure NMN Fast Dissolve Powder (Bulk, Best Value)
Check Lowest Price And Use Code “RFS10” For 10% Off
If you’re looking for a buy-in-bulk option, Renue by Science also carries pure NMN powder at just $1.45 per gram. That’s about four times the value of most other products. It’s not liposomal, but it’s not a capsule you swallow either. It’s sublingual.
Renue by Science’s powder works sublingually. This means you put the powder under your tongue and allow it to dissolve. The theory behind this is you can avoid the first-pass metabolism (AKA your liver’s metabolic role) altogether, which might increase the amount you absorb.
This is also the most economical option.
The taste isn’t terrible. It’s not as bad as unflavored leucine (that shit is terrible.) However, it does have a bitter taste. Kind of like a weird-tasting lemon, is how I would describe it.
If you’re a wuss about things that taste bad, I’d go with a capsule option.
If you pride yourself on stomaching unflavored supplements, then Renue’s Bulk NMN Powder is the choice for you.
You can purchase a container of 30 grams or 100 grams.
5) Ultra Health Resvera-M
We have already talked about Ultra Health’s unmatched quality for their liposomal NMN product.
This product contains the same quality but with some additional ingredients. Each serving has 150mg of trans-resveratrol, which is also a promising ingredient in anti-aging research. You can read more about resveratrol in our guide on the best resveratrol supplements.
6) Codeage Liposomal NMN
Check Lowest Price And Use Code “ROMAN10” For 10% Off
Codeage Liposomal NMN has a similar profile to Ultra Health’s Resversa-M liposomal. It has NMN and resveratrol, but it also has quercetin, which can help with heart health.
They also added B vitamins. One of the knocks on NMN is it can make you feel a bit fatigued, and B vitamins help keep your energy up.
This product is pricier than others, and resveratrol and quercetin are both powerful ingredients and not for everyone, so unless you want all of them, stick to another product.
Codeage is cGMP certified and third-party tested.
7) Renue by Science LIPO NAD+ Complete
Check Lowest Price And Use Code “RFS10” 10% Off
Renue also has a liposomal capsule version. As I said, a lot of the NMN in normal capsules succumbs to your stomach acid or get broken down by your liver and other digestive organs. In contrast, liposomal capsules are surrounded by a protective layer, evading breakdown so it makes it into your bloodstream more effectively.
There’s also some evidence that liposomal formulations have advantages for absorption via the lymphatic system, bypassing our liver’s metabolic processes.
Renue has the best cost per gram and among the strictest third-party testing.
This product also contains NMN, NR (another NAD precursor) and NAD itself. Each of these forms has slight differences. NAD+, for example, has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier more effectively than NMN.
Meanwhile, NR, compared to NMN, seems particularly effective at elevating NAD+ levels in the liver.
This product combines all of the benefits, in a more bioavailable form.
8) Quicksilver Scientific Liposomal NAD+ Gold
Quicksilver scientific specializes in liposomal products. Unlike the previous products, this, comes in spray. This product also maintains strict third-party testing and a focus on high deliverability.
This product also includes trimethylglycine, also known as TMG or betaine. If you’re a chemistry nerd, you may be interested in hearing about how TMG is a “methyl donor” that can support the the activity of NAD+ through a product called “methylation.” If you’re like me, all you need to know is that TMG and NAD+ make a great team.
The knock on Quicksilver’s NMN is that it’s a much smaller dose per serving. Each serving has only 50mg of NMN. However, it’s a high-quality product with some unique features.
You also have to refrigerate it when you get it.
9) Renue by Science NAD Nasal Spray
Check Lowest Price And Use Code “RFS10” For 10% Off
Okay, this one isn’t an NMN product, it’s a direct NAD product. Now, there are differences here, but practically speaking, the benefits are similar. As mentioned, NAD seems to enter the blood-brain barrier more effectively.
This product avoids the gastrointestinal and liver metabolism problem altogether. It’s probably the fastest way to your bloodstream. Let’s use our street smarts here and remember that this is why people usually snort drugs. It’s fast-acting.
The bottle also comes with a remarkable 120 servings for a reasonable price. Again, Active by Science is proving they’ll have the best prices on the market and remain among the highest quality. (Not to mention the innovative nasal spray.)
It doesn’t top our list because it’s not technically an NMN product, but if your goal is anti-aging, it should still be on your short list of considerations.
And if you know a direct NAD+ product is what you’re looking for, then you can check out our list of the best NAD+ supplements.
10) Awakened Alchemy REVITACELL
REVITACELL is a cGMP-certified anti-aging formula that combines NMN with other science-backed antioxidants.
Each serving contains a list of top-tier longevity nutrients:
- 250 mg of NMN
- 250 mg of PrimaVie® Shilajit Gum Extract
- 95 mg of Telos95® – a blend of polyphenols from grapevine and olive leaf extract
- 50 mg of ErgoActive® (standardized for 5% ergothioneine)
- 100 mg of Ubiquinol
The capsules are vegan-friendly and free from gluten, lactose, soy, and GMOs.
One month’s supply is $129. However, if you sign up for a monthly subscription, you can get a bottle for $109.65.
It is the most expensive product on the list and has 50% less ergothioneine per serving than others. That said, Awakened Alchemy offers a 60-day money-back guarantee.
11) ProHealth Longevity NMN Lozenge
ProHealth Longevity also has a lozenge option. Lozenge is a fancy term for a cough drop-like experience. It’s like a little candy. Per dose, this is about 4x more expensive than the sublingual powder they have, but compared to other companies, the price is still decent.
12) Double Wood Supplements NMN
Double Wood Supplements is another quality company with third-party testing. Their NMN product has been around quite a while and they use organic ingredients in their product. It’s competitively priced, but not the best price around. And they don’t use a liposomal or sublingual delivery, so you’re going to lose out on a bit of bioavailability.
How We Ranked The Best NMN Supplements
A bunch of factors went into the ranking system. In reality, the whole one-through-ten ranking system isn’t perfect, as some products might suit you better than others based on a number of factors. So here’s how we made our decisions, and you can use it to help you decide which product is best for you.
Third-Party Tested and cGMP Certified
The supplement industry is filled with crap. Supplements are not regulated by the FDA, which means supplement companies get away with mislabeling their products, putting in banned and dangerous substances, and more.
For any supplement, that’s why it’s important to choose companies with third-party testing and GMP (good manufacturing practices) certification. Every product on our list fulfills this. For us it’s a prerequisite.
We gave companies a nudge if they take this to the next level. Companies like Wonderfeel, Renue by Science, and Ultra Health display their results transparently, and UltraHealth even uses pharmaceutical-grade ingredients.
This is especially important with NMN, because it’s a new product that has flooded the market. A recent third-party investigation found that 8 NMN brands were mislabeling their products. And many of these were bestsellers. That’s why we can’t emphasize enough the importance of a quality brand and a third-party tested product.
Every product on our list is also non-GMO, and gluten-free. This is just not a concern with NMN products in general, especially the best products like the ones on our list.
Bioavailability
Straight NMN won’t all make it through your system into your cell. You’ll lose some to digestion. That’s why Wonderfeel’s Youngr™ has a patented formula to enhance delivery, and why other products use a liposomal option or sublingual option. These formulations are often superior, allowing your body to take in more NMN. Regular NMN products don’t make it high on
our list for this reason.
Consumer Experience
If supplements taste bad, or if you have to mix them a ton, or if there are other roadblocks, then you’re less likely to take it. The experience needs to be able to fit into your routine. That’s why we bias good-tasting or capsule products over unflavored powders, even if they’re the best value.
The maxim goes that the best workout is the one that you do, and the same goes for NMN supplementation. If something, like a good-tasting product or a simple delivery system, will help you actually take it regularly, then do that.
Value
Finally, we only selected products that weren’t outrageously priced for what you’re getting. We gave a nudge to those which are even better priced, like Renue’s bulk powder.
What Are The Benefits of NMN and Raised NAD Levels?
On a mechanistic level, the point of taking an NMN supplement is that it raises NAD levels. But what the heck does this do? Aside from writing it off as “longevity,” there are many more specific benefits for where raised NAD levels have shown promise.
Reduced Biomarkers of Aging, Increased Lifespan.
Studies specifically on NMN supplementation have suggested that NMN via raised NAD levels may reduce age-related inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity (which often decreases with aging) improve mitochondrial function, improve neuronal function, and more.
Overall, this leads to effectively reduced biomarkers of aging. In sum, it improves cellular health.
And if you’re a mouse, as shown in this study, raised NAD levels may simply mean you’ll live longer.
Human studies are growing in number each year, and this is a blossoming field. Links between NMN and Alzheimer’s disease,
obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are continually being examined as our elderly population continues to grow. Energy production decline due to depleting NAD+ level reduction is one of the definitions of aging, so maintaining healthy amounts of NAD+ is a natural focus.
Improved Insulin Sensitivity
This benefit is worth underscoring, because insulin is all about managing blood sugar, and “insulin resistance,” the opposite of insulin sensitivity, plays a fundamental role in type II diabetes. NMN supplementation may help with blood sugar management, and improve insulin sensitivity. For example, one study on prediabetic women showed exactly this.
Enhanced Athletic Performance
A recent trial study on runners showed that those who took NMN performed better in aerobic activity. This is… wild. Up until now, the common thought around longevity science is that it often won’t improve performance, and may even reduce performance. But NMN might even improve athletic performance, and in the coming years it could enter the arena as a supplement for athletes.
Relatedly, it may also improve blood flow. As we know, blood brings every cell in our body the oxygen and nutrients it needs. Improved blood flow often correlates to improved overall health. One preliminary clinical trial showed that NMN reduced blood vessel stiffness in middle-aged patients. However, this is very early.
For more on this, check out our article on the benefits of NMN.
How Can You Increase NMN Absorption?
The delivery system is one method to increase absorption. But it’s not the only way. While the research is super early and this is purely speculative right now, some have reported that anything high in a flavonoid called apigenin can improve the absorption of NMN. Parsley, chamomile, celery, and artichokes are foods high in apigenin.
So grab a cup of chamomile tea or sprinkle some parsley on your dinner. I personally love using celery as a spoon for my peanut butter jar.
It’s unclear if this will help, but these are all healthy foods anyway, so at the worst you’ll just be… eating healthier.
Can you Get NMN through food?
Yes, you can. Broccoli, cabbage, mushrooms, and tomatoes mark a few foods that have high NMN. Raw honey also seems to help. Like all supplements, they’re meant to supplement. Eating a high-veggie, nutrient-dense diet will always be the foundation.
The truth is, if you want to live longer and have a higher quality of life, supplements won’t really do anything if you’re not exercising regularly (by doing something like one of our training programs), eating a nutritious diet with lots of vegetables, and getting high-quality sleep. That’s the best life-extension protocol out there.
Should I Take TMG With NMN?
TMG is another emerging “longevity supplement.” It’s also simply called betaine, an amino acid, which may work synergistically with NMN. To learn more about this topic, we recommend this blog post by Renue on TMG.
What’s the Best Time to Take NMN?
NAD is at its highest in the morning and its lowest in the evening at the onset of sleep. In fact, NAD and one of the sirtuin genes it activates, SIRt1, help regulate our circadian rhythm. Generally, the best time to take NMN is in the morning.
Anecdotally, some people have used NMN while traveling to combat jet lag, with great success. While we need more research on this, I think using NMN to help regulate the circadian rhythm is low-risk, and based on what we know about the mechanisms, it makes a lot of sense.
How Does NMN Compare to NR (Nicotinamide Riboside)?
NR, like NMN is an nad precursor, which means that, while our body can’t make use of NAD directly, we can take ingredients that that then can raise NAD levels.
While the jury on their differences is still out, the consensus that NMN is simply more effective in most situations keeps growing.
Other similar molecules, even like niacin (vitamin b3), may have similar effects, but we need more research.
Can young people take NMN?
Of course, we have to define “young” here. I’m thinking of people under, let’s say, 30. I haven’t seen any convincing research that it’s going to be effective for young people. And I think when we look at the mechanisms, there are diminishing returns.
NMN works because it restores NAD levels, but young people already have very high NAD levels. In theory they could go up even higher, or they could be tapped out. I haven’t seen any research one way or the other.
A more effective strategy would be to get your NAD tissue levels tested so you know your baseline. However, this is no a simple procedure, so getting NAD blood levels is cheaper and can give you a ballpark idea. Then you can see a drop off, and know when to start taking an NMN supplement. That’s what I’m personally doing (I’m 23), so I’ll let you all know in a few years.
For more on longevity-related products, you can check out our list of The Best Glutathione Supplements, which is a great supplement for overall health, and The Best Berberine Supplements, which targets another longevity mechanism, The AMPK proteins.
Are Liposomal NAD Boosters More Effective?
Some studies have shown that liposomal delivery can improve absorption.
That’s why you’ll see liposomal NMN products high on our list.
Other products, like Youngr™ NMN, use other enhancing agents to protect the NMN molecules. Overall, we recommend looking for a product that recognizes the importance of absorption.
What Are The Health Benefits of NMN Supplementation?
All of NMN’s benefits come as a result of its ability to boost NAD. NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), as you may remember from high school biology, plays a key role in manufacturing usable energy.
This means NMN may be linked to…
- Support healthy aging
- Increasing energy levels
- Supporting metabolic health
- Support the immune system
While we have more and more research coming, and ever-expanding human trials, we still need more to determine NMN’s true power as a supplement.
However, I’m hot on it, and if you’re looking to for longevity support, take a look at the products above.
Do NMN Supplements Have Any Side Effects?
This isn’t your first time reading out supplements, so you should know that there’s no such thing as a biologically free lunch. Luckily, NMN doesn’t seem to have any serious side effects. At high doses, some people experience nausea and other stomach and GI distress. We know that NMN isn’t particularly bioavailable, so this makes sense.
And these side effects are with generic, run-of-the-mill NMN. A product like Youngr™ contains ingredients that may improve bioavailability, so this stomach discomfort may be less of a concern.
Disclaimer: Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any supplement, including NMN. Don’t use the opinion of strangers on the internet to sway too heavily your life decisions.