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How is NMN Made? Everything You Need To Know!

NMN, the compound that our body directly uses to make NAD+ — something found in each of our cells to keep them healthy.

It’s why so many people take NMN, to help boost their levels of NAD+ that naturally decline with age — since there’s no point in directly taking NAD+ as a supplement as it’s too large of a compound for the body to absorb.

But have you ever wondered about how NMN is made? Jump there now:

• All About NMN
• How is an NMN Supplement made?
• Where to Buy NMN Singapore?

All About NMN

We’ve spoken a lot about NMN but here’s a quick recap to get you started:

What is NMN?

NMN is a form of vitamin B3 (niacin) and a key precursor to NAD+, a vital compound that helps with cell function, energy metabolism, DNA repair and gene regulation.

As we age, NAD+ levels decline, which can affect aging and overall health. NMN helps boost NAD+ levels, supporting the female reproductive system, slowing the aging process and promoting healthy metabolism. It may also prevent telomere shortening, linked to aging. While there are other NAD+ precursors, NMN is considered one of the most efficient as it’s the direct precursor to NAD+.

What does NMN come from?

There are a range of natural sources of NMN to help you add more NMN rich foods into your diet. These include avocados, broccoli, tomatoes, cabbage, raw beef, cucumbers, edamame and cow’s milk. This is only in small amounts, though.

For example, one study showed that to get 250mg of NMN from broccoli, you needed to eat 100kg of it, compared to 69kg of avocado and 416kg of beef.

Further Reading: Time of Day to Take NMN and Resveratrol

NMN benefits

• Boost energy: NMN increases NAD+ levels, supporting cellular energy and mitochondrial function.
• Improve metabolism: Boosts metabolism, reduces fat and boosts glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.
• Support hormones: May help regulate sleep and improve female reproductive health, possibly reversing menopause.
• Neuroprotection: NMN brain benefits include enhancing cognitive functions like memory and focus.
• Lower blood pressure: Improves cardiovascular health, reduces cholesterol and inflammation, aiding weight loss and diabetes.
• Helps withhair growth: May reverse hair thinning, increase blood flow and reduce inflammation.
• Improves exercise performance: Increases endurance and vitality through better energy levels.
• Increase longevity: May lengthen telomeres, potentially extending lifespan.

Further Reading: Why You Should Be Taking NMN for Longevity

NMN side effects

NMN supplement side effects are mild, if any, such as nausea, gas or abdominal pain. Since it can lower blood pressure, it's important to monitor your levels, especially if you're on blood pressure medication. Always store NMN in a cool place, like the fridge, as heat can cause it to degrade and become harmful. If you notice poor sleep or memory lapses, it might be a sign to take a short break from NMN. Pure NMN has no known interactions with medications, but always check for added ingredients, like herbs, that may cause interactions. Xandro Lab’s Pure NMN supplement powder, for example, has no added ingredients.

NMN dosage

When taking NMN, follow the manufacturer's instructions on the label. For Xandro Lab’s Pure NMN Capsules, take one capsule daily with food, in the morning or afternoon. For the Pure NMN Powder, start with 350mg (half a scoop) daily, increasing gradually. Initially, take it with breakfast, then after a few weeks, take it an hour before breakfast on an empty stomach or dissolve it under your tongue for better absorption.

How much you take depends on what you’re trying to achieve, but generally, between 250mg to 1,250mg of NMN is safe to take.

Further Reading: NR, NMN or NAD+: Which to Take?

How is an NMN Supplement made?

But let’s talk NMN supplements!

First off, when you buy it as a supplement, is NMN natural or synthetic? This depends on the manufacturer as an NMN NAD booster supplement can be made with chemicals, enzymes or genetically engineered microorganisms. This all impacts how much NMN you actually get as well as the cost.

So, what is the production method of NMN?

NMN is actually made up of three components:

• A phosphate group, which is the energy part of NMN
• Ribose sugar, which is a five-carbon sugar
• A Nicotinamide base, which is a nitrogen-containing compound that our body uses for various functions

NMN can be lab-made, which is what you find in NMN supplements.

The most common method of making NMN is chemical synthesis, but this can be expensive and harmful to the environment. Eco-friendly alternatives use bacteria or enzymes to create NMN more sustainably. Let’s go over them!

Chemical Synthesis

One method for producing NMN is through chemical synthesis, such as the Zincke reaction. This involves treating p-toluenesulfonate with chemicals to create ⍺-NMN and β-NMN. β-NMN is then isolated, as it's the form our bodies use to produce NAD+. While this is a standard method, other techniques involving different chemicals are also used. This method is expensive and labor-intensive, and the ingredients used are not natural, although it does allow for mass NMN production.

Bacterial Fermentation

An eco-friendly method of producing NMN involves bacterial fermentation. Scientists genetically modify bacteria like E. coli to produce more NMN. In bioreactors, glucose and nicotinamide are added to help the bacteria grow and generate NMN. After 24 hours, the NMN is extracted from the bacteria, yielding around 19.3 g/L, which, despite being high quality, is pretty abysmal, so this process is not often used.

Enzymatic Conversion

Another approach involves using enzymes to convert nicotinamide riboside (NR) into NMN, but this process requires adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is costly. To reduce costs, scientists have developed ways to replenish ATP during the reaction. Using enzymes from the fungusK. marxianus, yields of up to 281 g/L of NMN can be achieved in a day, significantly more than bacterial fermentation. This process is better for the environment, makes a stable NMN that is lightweight and easily absorbed.

Where to Buy NMN Singapore?

People should be cautious when choosing NMN supplements due to the risks of low-quality, non-GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) products, especially from overseas suppliers. Even if a supplement claims 99% purity, it may contain harmful impurities if made in non-GMP chemical facilities. Many manufacturers lack transparency about their production processes, and consumers often assume the products are safe without proper vetting. Since the FDA does not pre-approve supplements for safety, it's crucial to ensure the company prioritises quality, safety and efficacy beyond just what the label says.

If you’re after an NMN supplement Singapore, Xandro Lab’s Pure NMN Powder or Pure NMN Capsules are some of your best NMN supplement options on the market!

Further Reading: Where to Buy NMN in Singapore?

If interested, Xandro Lab uses the enzymatic biological synthesis method for our NMN using food-grade NR as a raw material. This allows for a safe and effective start to our NMN which then undergoes final testing for purity, content, heavy metals and microorganisms.

We produce our NMN supplements in a GMP-certified facility in Singapore and our supplements are third-party lab tested for purity. They are gluten-free and suitable for vegans and vegetarians, too!

You can find our purity levels on our product pages!

Further Reading: Why Take Xandro Lab’s NMN Supplements