2021-07-10
 
1. Ingredient list
 
Make sure that the active ingredient is NMN, not NAM (niacinamide) or NR. Their names are very similar and they are all the precursors of NAD+. They are often used to confuse consumers.
 
Popular science: The full name of NMN is β-nicotinamide mononucleotide. Genuine NMN products should be labeled as NMN (or β-nicotinamide mononucleotide). Although some of the product names contain words like “NMN” or “β-nicotinamide mononucleotide”, the ingredient list contains very little, if not none, NMN. Some unscrupulous suppliers also mix starch in the product to deceive consumers.
 
2. NMN content
 
Does it really contain NMN or β-nicotinamide mononucleotide?
 
Some products labeled themselves as “NMN 9000” or “NMN 12500 Enhanced Strength”, which gives consumers the illusion that it has a high content of NMN. For example, a bottle contains 30 capsules and each capsule containing 125mg of NMN only comes to a total of 3750mg, which is far below the listed 9000mg of NMN.
 
With the existing technology, each capsule can at most contain 200mg of NMN. Any products that label with over 200mg NMN are fake, as it is technically impossible to do so.
 
The recommended daily supplement of NMN is generally about 330mg, and about 500mg for people over 60 years old. For a capsule with 160mg NMN, it is sufficient to take 2 capsules a day. Excessive intake of NMN will go to waste when absorbed by the body. Furthermore, NMN can increase metabolism. Hypermetabolism can cause side effects such as syncope.
 
The photo below indicates a fake NMN product that has too high NMN content.
 
3. Production Method
There are three ways to produce NMN: fermentation, biological enzyme, and chemical synthesis.
 
I. The cost of producing NMN by fermentation is high, leading to relatively high product prices. NMN products produced by this method can only be popular among the wealthy and cannot reach the general public.
 
II. The biological enzyme method simulates in vivo enzyme fermentation. The enzymes in the body are expressed in vitro to realize the catalytic process of the enzymes to produce NMN. This method does not only produce high purity NMN but can also control costs and achieve mass production, which is conducive to the popularization of NMN products.
 
III. It is easier to control the production process with chemical synthesis and the purity of NMN produced is also comparable to those produced by biological enzymes with purification. However, with this method, it is easy to produce invalid or even harmful by-products during the synthesis process. Some by-products are difficult to remove by purification. If they accumulate in the body for a long time, they may cause harm to the body.
 
In summary, biological enzymes are widely used because of high product purity, low production cost, safety and effectiveness.
 
4. Research & Development Background
Currently, there are NMN productions in the USA, Japan, Hong Kong and China. Japan has the world-leading NMN scientific research. There are only two companies globally that can provide high-purity and high-stability NMN raw materials.
 
On 31 March 2020, The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan included NMN on the "Non-Medical List". When processing NMN, manufacturers are required to comply with Japanese domestic laws and regulations and ensure quality and traceability. Therefore, the reliability of Japan's NMN is high.

The picture shows NMN is now categorized under the division of food and drugs
by the Ministry of Health, Health, and Welfare
 
5. Channels
Only Tmall International, JD International or other platforms that support cross-border channels sell genuine NMN products, also depending on whether the delivery method is a bonded warehouse or an overseas warehouse under the supervision of the platform.  
 
NMN is not on the list of nutritional supplements in China. Only NMN raw materials can be produced in China and NMN cannot be directly added to food sold in the country. Therefore, buying from cross-border channels means buying directly from overseas.
 
There are many different NMN products on the market. NMN has real impacts on anti-aging. If you want to stay young and beautiful by taking NMN, you must be alert and choose the right and effective products.