Unlocking NMN: The Key Transporter SLC12A8 Revealed
6th Oct 2024
The Elusive NMN Transporter SLC12A8: Unlocking the Benefits of NMN Supplements
Jump there now:
- What Does NMN Do to Your Body?
- What Is the Transporter For NMN?
- How To Raise Your NMN Levels
- End Note
As we age, levels of NAD+ in our bodies decline, which can impact our health. Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a powerful compound that boosts NAD+ levels, supporting various bodily functions.
Here are some of the key NMN benefits:
- Boosts Energy: NMN increases NAD+ levels, enhancing cellular energy and mitochondrial function.
- Improves Metabolism: It helps boost metabolism, reduces fat and improves insulin sensitivity.
- Supports Hormones: NMN may help regulate sleep and improve female reproductive health, potentially reversing menopause symptoms.
- Neuroprotection: It enhances cognitive functions like memory and focus.
- Lowers Blood Pressure: NMN supports cardiovascular health by reducing cholesterol and inflammation, aiding in weight loss and diabetes management.
- Promotes Hair Growth: It may reverse hair thinning by increasing blood flow and reducing inflammation.
- Improves Exercise Performance: NMN boosts endurance and vitality through enhanced energy levels.
- Increases Longevity: It may help lengthen telomeres, which could extend lifespan.
NMN is considered one of the most effective ways to support NAD+ levels and promote overall health as we age!
Learn all about NMN benefits and NMN side effects in the article below:
Further Reading: How is NMN made?
Research has made exciting discoveries about nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and its role in promoting longevity. NMN is a precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), a crucial cofactor for many biological processes.
Why is NAD important?
NAD is essential for life and plays a key role in cell signalling, impacting health and lifespan. Studies show that increasing NAD levels can enhance various functions in organisms, including:
- Motor coordination
- Eye health
- Bone density
- Insulin sensitivity
- Physical endurance and muscle strength
How Does NMN Work? — NMN transportation
In a study titled, ‘The elusive NMN transporter is found,’ a transporter, Slc12a8, was identified that helps NMN enter cells. This Slc12a8 NMN transporter is sodium-dependent and specifically designed for NMN, allowing for more efficient absorption. Interestingly, NMN transporter Slc12a8 is found primarily in the small intestine, where it may help absorb NMN from dietary sources like fruits and vegetables.
The Bigger Picture
This discovery opens up new avenues for understanding how NMN affects health. As research continues, it could lead to better strategies for using NMN and other NAD precursors as supplements or pharmaceuticals to support longevity and combat age-related diseases.
Some have called the study into question, raising doubt about the findings due to the research methods, as well as the research reporting a drop in NMN levels over time, indicating that their method may not accurately reflect NMN transport into cells. These authors, however, argue that existing research indicates that NMN must be converted to nicotinamide riboside before cells can take it up, contradicting the idea that Slc12a8 transports NMN directly.
This has now been disproven, as this is dependent on where the NMN is going in your body. Learn more about this in the article below:
Further Reading: NR, NMN or NAD? Which One Should You Take?
The original authors even responded to the doubt surrounding the findings of Slc12a8 as an NMN transporter, reaffirming their results.
Further research on Slc12a8
Research has shown that boosting Slc12a8 can enhance energy metabolism and improve muscle function, counteracting age-related declines such as muscle loss and frailty. It plays an important role in muscle regulation through the sympathetic nervous system and the β2AR pathway, which are vital for maintaining muscle mass and protein synthesis. Slc12a8 may also may help skeletal muscle adapt to nutritional changes, suggesting that enhancing its function could be a promising therapeutic strategy for promoting longevity and addressing age-related muscle issues.
Can you get NMN naturally?
While NMN is found in some foods like avocados, tomatoes and broccoli, the amounts are very low (less than 1 mg per kg). To effectively raise NAD levels, higher doses (hundreds of milligrams) are needed, and there’s still uncertainty about whether dietary NMN can significantly impact NAD levels since the body can produce NAD from other sources.
NMN Supplements
You might need to look up how to buy NMN in your country as it’s currently banned in some countries, such as the US and China, as research is underway for its exciting potential use as a drug for various health issues.
There are various types of NMN supplements too:
- Capsules: The most common form, easy to swallow.
- Tablets: Similar to capsules, but often larger.
- Powders: Can be mixed with water or juice.
- Chewable tablets: Convenient and easy to take.
- Sublingual tablets: Dissolve under the tongue.
- Nasal sprays: Absorbed through the nasal passages.
- Transdermal creams: Applied to the skin.
- Liposomal formulations: Enclosed in fat-soluble spheres for better absorption.
When selecting an NMN supplement, consider:
- Delivery method: Oral supplementation (capsules, tablets, powders) is the most clinically proven method.
- Dosage: The recommended daily dosage varies, but 250mg is commonly used.
- Quality: Look for supplements from reputable brands with third-party certifications to ensure purity and safety.
- Additional ingredients: Some supplements contain complementary ingredients like resveratrol to enhance the benefits of NMN.
While NMN shows promise, more research is needed to fully understand its benefits and potential risks. Consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.
Looking for the best NMN supplement near me? If you’re in Singapore, or even internationally, consider Xandro Lab’s Pure NMN Capsules and Pure NMN Powder to suit your preferences! Consider also taking your NMN alongside resveratrol as they may help activate your longevity genes and improve your cell health!