Does NMN Actually Increase VO2 MAX? | 61 - Longevity This Week #9
NAD+ boosters are supplements designed to enhance levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a central coenzyme found in all living cells and involved in innumerable biochemical reactions that include DNA repair, glycolysis, stress responses, and more. As we age, NAD+ levels naturally decline. Supplements containing NAD+ precursors such as nicotinamide riboside (NR) or nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) aim to counteract this decline by providing the body with the building blocks it needs to restore NAD+ levels. Proponents of these supplements suggest that they may support better energy metabolism, improved cognitive function, and even promote longevity. However, while early research is promising, it's important to approach these supplements with caution and consult healthcare professionals to understand their potential benefits and limitations.
For this episode, we examined a 2022 study that looked at the effects of NMN supplementation on VO2 max, or the maximum amount of oxygen a person can use during intense exercise, in amateur runners. Matt and Nick review the study, discuss its limitations, and provide their takes on whether NMN actually improves endurance and aerobic capacity during exercise—and thus whether we should take the claims of NMN supplement sellers seriously.
Check out the links below for further information and/or reading about some of the things we discussed in this podcast episode. Note that we do not necessarily endorse or agree with the content of these readings, but present them as supplementary material that may deepen your understanding of the topic after you listen to our podcast. This list is in no way exhaustive, but it’s a good start
This is the study that Matt and Nick discuss in the episode. Entrepreneurs who sell nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) precursors such as nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) sometimes cite this study in making the claim that NMN improves endurance and exercise performance. The study found no statistically significant change in the VO2 max, or the maximum amount of oxygen a person can use during intense exercise, of amateur runners taking NMN. It did find a statistically significant and dose-dependent difference in oxygen uptake at first ventilatory threshold.
Survival of the fittest: VO2max, a key predictor of longevity?
This is an oft-reference review of the impact of VO2 max on longevity. It describes the measurement of VO2 max as well as various studies examining relationships between VO2 max and diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, and cancer. It also discusses the effects of physical activity and training on VO2 max.
Primer on ventilatory thresholds
If you've been wondering what ventilatory thresholds (also called aerobic and anaerobic thresholds) are and why they're important, check this primer out.
This 2004 paper is a foundational paper in the NAD+ literature that describes the nicotinamide riboside (NR, another NAD+ precursor) pathway in yeast and humans.
SS-31 and NMN: Two paths to improve metabolism and function in aged hearts
In this paper, researchers administered two mitochondria-targeting drugs, including NMN, to mice and found that treating mice with a combination of both drugs restored various aspects of mitochondrial and heart health.
Metabolite accumulation from oral NMN supplementation drives aging-specific kidney inflammation
Matt and University of Arizona Assistant Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology George Sutphin discuss this paper in a previous episode. The authors found that, contrary to their expectations that NAD+ boosters would help ameliorate kidney aging in mice, an NAD+ booster actually led to increased levels of potential kidney damage markers. These results do not conclusively demonstrate a negative effect of NAD+ boosters on kidney health, but there's smoke there, as Matt says, and the finding is worth further investigation.
