NMN is a precursor for NAD synthesis. It is a relatively new remedy and the research is still going on. The body uses nicotinamide mononucleotide to produce NAD+. NAD + is essential for longevity and for slowing down aging. As we age, we need to replenish its levels. NMN supplementation will help in increasing the NAD+ levels in the body. NAD is also a coenzyme responsible for homeostasis and balance in the body. While taking NMN supplements, you should take methylation supplements to improve DNA methylation.
What is NMN?
Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is intermediate in NAD+ production. It is present in all cells, and they can utilize it for cell health, metabolism, cell repair, longevity, and many other health conditions. This compound naturally exists in avocados, tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, broccoli, and raw beef. As a bulk powder, NMN is identified by its CAS number of 1094-61-7. Once consumed, NMN is completely absorbed in the blood, converted, and stored as NAD+. Recent studies suggest that administrated doses of NMN can be quickly absorbed and can efficiently boost the NAD+ levels.
In simple words, our cells and tissue become old, sometimes even die, so we need to replenish them with new, healthy cells for maintaining their functions. That’s why taking NMN supplements will reverse DNA damage and reduce inflammation. Furthermore, studies claimed that for better effects, you should take NMN with a combination of methylation supplements. Why is that important? Keep reading to find out.
What is DNA methylation?
Methylation is the addition of one carbon and three hydrogen atoms to another molecule, ie. methyl group. Methylation (regulation of genes) provides vital functions in the body, such as thinking, fighting infections, and eliminating toxins from the body. It occurs billions of times every second. This phenomenon is considered the most important part of general health and anti-aging. As we age, many parts in our body become too little methylated. This enables the genes to multiply themselves, and cause mutations. The process of methylation plays a vital role in optimizing many bodily functions including DNA repair, healthy immune system, cellular energy production, cancer prevention, healthy nerve system, and many more. For methylation, methyl donors play an important role. They are responsible for healthy living, slowing down aging, and optimal cells function.
Why it’s important to take methylation supplements with NMN
As we age, our levels of DNA methylation decrease, and this leads to potential DNA damages. Methylation impacts a variety of different diseases, and it’s especially important to improve this mechanism. The body is a very complex machine. To maintain optimal function, we need to have balance among these processes. DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification that is involved in the regulation of numerous biological processes. In DNA methylation, newly formed methyl groups, consisting of clusters of carbon and hydrogen atoms, make a particular gene more or less prone to receiving and responding to biochemical signals in the body, including signals sent during exercise or other changes in the environment and lifestyle.
By taking methylation supplements, the methylation cycle will work efficiently. Taking supplements will optimize our body’s functions throughout life. Our body has a “methyl pool”. Every time a biochemical process takes place, one methyl group is withdrawn. For all the processes, we will be lacking in methyl groups, which is a bad thing. In this situation, not only that we are taking from the valuable methyl pool, but we are also increasing the homocysteine production. Homocysteine is an amino acid, and high levels can lead to stroke, heart attack, and dementia. That’s why taking methylation supplements is a good option to encourage the process of methylation.
Popular methylation ingredients
As mentioned above, compounds that act as methyl donors, help replenish the methyl pool in our body. Some of the popular methylation ingredients are as follow:
Vitamin B
All vitamins from this group such as vitamin B12, vitamin B6, and vitamin B9 (folate), act in a synergistic way and help in DNA methylation. They also help in breaking down the homocysteine to other chemicals your body needs. Folate is a powerful antiproliferative agent, and vitamin B12 can significantly help in the DNA methylation of genes related to type 2 diabetes. Folate helps in the methylation process with better DNA stabilization, repair, and synthesis. The active form of vitamin B12, which takes place in methylation, is methylcobalamin.
Trimethylglycine (TMG)
Trimethylglycine is an active metabolite of choline, which is often included in pre-workout boosters to improve concentration. There are many health benefits that TMG provides including liver detoxification and improving cardiovascular diseases. However, besides many positive effects that TMG has on overall health, it is used as a methyl donor, because it contains glycine with three methyl groups attached. Taking TMG supplements, even in low doses, will significantly decrease homocysteine levels, which means there will be more methyl groups available for methylation.
Choline
Studies suggest that choline supplementation can help in DNA methylation. Choline is an essential nutrient that can be derived into betaine, which provides DNA methylation. Unfortunately, many people have choline deficiency. Low levels of choline can lead to increased DNA damage. Taking choline supplements will improve and repair DNA. Choline is important to build DNA and other components.
S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe)
The SAMe supplement is known for easing arthritis, depression, improving mental health, slowing down aging, and so on. Besides that, SAMe is a methyl donor in many biological functions. It impacts epigenetic regulation, and that’s why is used for cancer treatment. Low levels of DNA methylation, leading to rapid cancer cell proliferation. S-adenosylmethionine acts as a DNA methylation regulator.
5-Methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF)
Methyltetrahydrofolate is the active form of folate and plays a role in methylation. MTHF is important for DNA methylation, i.e. for making normal DNA. MTHF in methylation is also important to make neurotransmitters. In addition, it is responsible for metabolizing homocysteine, because high levels of homocysteine can increase osteoporosis risk, dementia, and it may contribute to cardiovascular diseases.
