NMN & Diabetes: Safety, Side Effects and Benefits
6th Sep 2024
Can Diabetic Patients Take NMN?
NMN. It’s what our bodies use to make NAD+, a compound crucial for every cell in our bodies, which, frustratingly, declines with age.
Since NAD is too large of a molecule to take as a supplement, NMN, in its various forms, is often taken as a longevity supplement, with many scientific studies being undertaken to learn about its full benefits.
But what about NMN and diabetics?
This article will cover the question, ‘Can I take NMN if I have diabetes?’ Jump there now:
So, nicotinamide mononucleotide and diabetes. Let’s go through some of the benefits!
A small clinical study found that post-menopausal women with prediabetes had a 25 per cent higher insulin sensitivity in their skeletal muscle, although larger studies are still needed.
NMN may also help protect against diabetic neuropathy, which is a type of nerve damage that commonly occurs with diabetes.
Does NAD cause insulin resistance?
No, in fact, some studies have actually found that NMN may help the body produce more insulin, meaning it may be able to prevent diabetes. It’s also been found to have some great effects on insulin sensitivity and insulin signalling, too. Some recent studies have found some of these results may not be as large as previously thought, however, a 2023 study found that 250mg of NMN over 12 weeks could increase blood serum insulin levels by fivefold! It also found that NMN may increase insulin levels after meals.
This shows that NMN supplementation may help prevent diabetes, but more research is needed.
Further Reading: Supplements for Diabetics
Do NMN supplements raise blood pressure or does NMN reduce blood pressure?
NMN for diabetes has benefits in the weight management department, with NMN showing results in lowering diastolic blood pressure, a key factor in hypertension. It’s also been found to lower total blood cholesterol, including LDL, or ‘bad’ cholesterol.
These studies show that NMN may help patients who are overweight and obese.
Can you take metformin with NMN?
First and foremost, our bodies produce NAD+ from the NMN we consume naturally, and with metformin being a drug given to those with type-2 diabetes, taking the two together has never been an issue. But what about the amounts we need to experience great benefits?
With the development in longevity research, many clinical trials, and not to mention longevity gurus like Dr David Sinclair, are studying and taking NMN alongside metformin. Studies have found that taking them together is promising anti-aging candidates, with no severe side effects.
In fact, one study found that taking metformin even depletes your NAD+ levels, so it’s recommended to take NMN supplements to maintain sufficient levels.
Further Reading: Does Metformin Help With Longevity?
What are the negative side effects of NMN?
If you’re wondering about NMN side effects, know that NMN usually has no major side effects, but mild ones like nausea, gas or abdominal pain can occur. It may lower blood pressure, so monitor it if you're on blood pressure medication. Make sure to store your NMN in a cool place, like the fridge, to prevent it from degrading.
Pure NMN generally doesn't interact with medications, but check for added ingredients in your supplement that might. Xandro Lab’s Pure NMN Capsules and Pure NMN Powder have no added ingredients.
A small clinical study found that elderly men with diabetes who took NMN for six months experienced no side effects, although larger-scale studies are still needed.
The full benefits of NMN diabetes treatments are still being tested, but further results shouldn’t be too far off. Since NMN has the potential to be a drug in many other therapies, many clinical trials around the world are currently taking place to study its wide array of benefits, so it’s exciting to see how else it can improve our health span!
Are you looking for an NMN supplement to add to your daily routine? Here at Xandro, we have two, depending on how you would like to take it. Check out our Pure NMN Capsules or buy NMN Powder and see which suits you!