NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide) has become highly popular in recent years, both within the scientific community and among consumers. NMN has potentially beneficial effects on health and acts as a promising anti-aging supplement. But is NMN legal and is it safe? We address that in this article.
Is NMN prohibited?
NMN is currently banned, but it is not a prohibited substance. According to European Union regulations, NMN is classified as a "Novel Food." This means that NMN cannot be officially sold as a dietary supplement within the European Union without undergoing a comprehensive approval process. Despite positive progress in this process, it may unfortunately take several years before NMN is officially permitted. Since NMN is immensely popular and already used by hundreds of thousands of people worldwide, most consumers cannot wait for official approval and purchase their NMN through various websites and online marketplaces.
Why do you still sell NMN despite the ban?
The cat is out of the bag; people want to use NMN and continue using it. NMN is safely used by hundreds of thousands of people worldwide without side effects. NMN is a molecule naturally occurring in the human body and is derived from vitamin B3.
Research has shown that 70% of the NMN products available contain little or no NMN. We aim to offer a safe and high-quality NMN product so that people get what they expect: a product that contains what is stated on the label. Additionally, the product should be safely produced according to relevant ISO and GMP standards, with each batch tested in a laboratory. We aim to provide people who want to use NMN with the best possible supplement, thereby preventing people from obtaining NMN through other means or NMN from disappearing into illegality.
We produce and sell an NMN supplement because the safety of NMN has been extensively demonstrated through various studies. Currently, more than 16 human studies have been conducted, and none of them has shown NMN to be unsafe or to cause serious side effects. View our range of products here.
What other supplements are considered "Novel Foods" but are still available everywhere?
CBD and related products are a good example of Novel Foods that are still widely available. CBD is available everywhere despite being officially prohibited. CBD is still awaiting official approval. What happened with CBD is now happening with NMN, and you can see that more and more manufacturers are offering NMN, even though it is not officially allowed yet. Like CBD, NMN is a good and safe supplement that contributes to a healthier lifestyle, better health, and an improvement in quality of life for many people. Due to bureaucracy and slow regulations, the European Union is lagging behind, resulting in a long wait before good supplements are officially sold.
Is NMN a naturally occurring substance in the body?
Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a naturally occurring substance in the body and is found in all cells of the human body. The advantage of this is that the body knows how to handle this substance. NMN is used by all cells in our body and is an alternative form of vitamin B3 (Niacin). At the molecular level, it belongs to a class of molecules called nucleotides, the building blocks of RNA and DNA. NMN is converted into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), thereby increasing NAD+ levels. Therefore, NMN is often referred to as an NAD+ booster.
Is NMN safe?
There have been more than 16 human studies conducted by institutions such as Harvard and various important institutes worldwide. The studies show that NMN is safe, even up to a daily dose of 1200mg. It is likely safe at higher doses as well, but further research is needed. NMN is a derivative of vitamin B3 and is a substance naturally present in the body, so the body knows how to handle this molecule. We regularly publish relevant research on NMN on our website. Read more here.
Legal status of NMN in other countries
The European Union is lagging behind in authorizing NMN. For example, in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK), Switzerland, and various countries in Asia, South America, and Africa, NMN is allowed as a supplement and is therefore available everywhere. In the United States, NMN has a somewhat unique status. Initially, NMN was available in major supermarkets and drugstores, but now the FDA has classified NMN as a potential drug. This means that NMN cannot officially be sold as a supplement in the US at the moment because the properties/effects of NMN are being investigated for diseases and conditions. However, NMN is available online as a supplement everywhere in the US, and the FDA has even indicated that it will not strictly enforce regulations. In short, NMN is legally available in more and more countries, and now we just have to wait for the EU to officially allow NMN as a supplement on the market.
NMN known from Jinek
On January 5, 2023, Professor Andrea Maier was a guest on Eva Jinek's talk show to discuss NMN as a supplement that can counteract aging. During the interview, she mentioned that researchers were able to extend the lifespan of mice by as much as 60% with NMN. Additionally, she explained that NMN is safe and discussed its effects and health benefits in humans. However, she noted that NMN unfortunately cannot yet be officially sold, although it can already be ordered. Unfortunately, the interview is no longer available online for viewing.
Can I naturally increase my NMN levels through diet?
NMN is naturally found in various foods. Some food sources rich in NMN include:
- Avocados | 0.36 to 1.60 mg per 100 grams
- Broccoli | 0.25 to 1.12 mg per 100 grams
- Cabbage | up to 0.9 mg per 100 grams
- Tomatoes | 0.26 to 0.30 mg per 100 grams
- Raw beef | 0.06 to 0.42 mg per 100 grams
Small amounts of NMN are also found in cow's milk, cucumbers, and edamame. The challenge is that to reach a standard dose of NMN (500mg), you would need to consume a lot of food, such as approximately 50 kilograms of avocados, for example.
Studies in mice have shown that the intestine easily absorbs NMN from food, but more research is needed to investigate how consuming NMN-rich foods can increase NAD levels in your cells.
What exactly is a "Novel Food"?
A "novel food" is a term used in the EU to describe foods that were not consumed in significant quantities by humans in the EU before May 1997, the time of the first novel food legislation. This category may include ingredients produced through new production processes, such as genetic modification, or those traditionally consumed outside the EU.
