I decided to give NMN another try, having previously tested it quite thoroughly with DoNotAge’s supplement, but at the time I wasn’t aware of Jinfiniti’s intracellular NAD test, so although many secondary biomarkers improved I didn’t have a definitive measurement. Similarly, I trialled Tru Niagen NR which only pushed my NAD level up a small amount, so I was interested to retest NMN with a proper before and after NAD test. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to do this when I won a pack of 2 tests and a month’s supply of NMN in a promotion – however, as always, this blog post is editorially independent with no input from Jinfiniti.

My NAD Grand Challenge prize:

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a coenzyme found in all living cells that plays a crucial role in cellular energy production and metabolism. It helps to facilitate reactions that generate energy from glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids, and is also involved in DNA repair and gene expression.

Studies suggest that as we age, NAD+ levels decline, which may contribute to age-related diseases and cellular dysfunction. By supplementing with NMN, it may be possible to increase NAD+ levels and potentially improve cellular function and overall health. Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a molecule that is converted into NAD+ in the body. More details about NAD (and the NAD+ salvage pathway) in this previous NMN blog.

Accuri Vitality Boost Review

As well as their excellent NAD test, Jinfiniti also sell their own NMN formulation – Accuri Vitality Boost – which is half NMN and half a mixture of creatine monohydrate, D-Ribose and nicotinamide. Importantly, it is manufactured under GMP (good manufacturing practice) which ensures a high-quality production. More details here: https://www.jinfiniti.com/product/accuri-vitality-boost-60g/

The recommended dose is one scoop (1000 mg, of which 500 mg is NMN) twice a day – so I took mine first thing in the morning and after lunch. The suggested method for best absorption is to dissolve it in a little bit of cold water first (just enough to dissolve it by stirring) then drink it sip by sip, keeping each sip in the mouth for 30-45 seconds to get mucosal absorption. Initially I found this a bit inconvenient, but after a couple of day I got used to doing something else whilst holding a sip in my mouth.

The powder dissolved pretty quickly (under a minute) with the photos below showing what it looks like after a quick swirl in water, though occasionally I had to crush a particularly big lump of powder with a teaspoon. The final photo shows what is left after drinking the liquid, but a final dash of water meant none was wasted.

Results

NAD Level

All of the physical biomarker results below, and secondary effects of any changes to the body’s NAD levels – i.e. this is the key, and most direct, result.

I tested for intracellular NAD before and after taking NMN. In fact, I did the “after” test before I ran out of NMN, to make sure my levels were at their peak, and also to pick a day when the post was most likely to speed my sample to the Jinfiniti lab as quickly as possible.

I previously reviewed Jinfiniti’s NAD test, but in summary it’s easy to perform, particularly when I followed the “soak hands in warm water for 2 minutes” instructions which resulted in easily producing 8 big drops of blood. And because it uses a dry blood spot it is also easy to post. My 2nd test took 10 days to be delivered using Royal Mail International Tracked (£6.90), then 6 days after that to receive the report.

So, did Jinfiniti’s NMN improve my NAD level? Yes, it definitely did.

Before = 28.1 μM

After = 37.1 μM

37.1 μM is at the very top end for my age range, the aim is to recover NAD levels to that in teenagers, so with that goal I am still (only just) in the suboptimal range ( 30 - 40 μM).

In the graph below, you can see that the before and after test for my NR trial IN 2021 only resulted in a small improvement (maybe my metabolism just doesn’t utilise nicotinamide riboside well), and the big jump with NMN. I’m not sure how long the NAD level will remain elevated for, but assume it will drop back down over the next few weeks or months.

Note: I didn’t do any NAD tests in between these trials so can’t confirm whether it varies naturally.

Blood Pressure

Given cardiovascular disease is the biggest killer in the developed world, I always track my blood pressure carefully during any trial in case it starts rising dangerously. No problems there with this NMN trial, if anything a tiny trend downwards, though perhaps more variability between readings.

Grip Strength

Grip strength has been shown to be a useful biomarker of biological age, as it is associated with overall physical function, muscle strength, and risk of disability and mortality. Surprisingly, it may be a better predictor of mortality than blood pressure or cholesterol levels. As we age, our grip strength tends to decline, and this decline is often more rapid than the loss of overall muscle mass.

This is the most significant physical biomarker result from the trial. My right-hand max has only hit 45 kg once in the previous 2 years, but did it 3 times during the trial. Very interesting.

Peak flow (PEF)

The peak flow or peak expiratory flow (PEF) test measures the maximum speed at which a person can exhale air from their lungs. This test is often used to monitor and manage asthma, but is also a useful tool for monitoring lung function and assessing respiratory health.

Another good result for my peak flow. Although it had jumped up before the starting NMN, my average for the previous year was 600 l/min, so to blow 620 throughout the trial is unusual.

Running Pace

Probably the most variable physical biomarker as it depends on other factors (different routes, weather conditions, etc.) but unfortunately there did seem to be a negative result here. My 8-mile (mixed trail/road) pace slowed a bit during and after the trial (then possibly quickly recovered, but only have one data point). I’d say my 3-mile pace was pretty steady, but definitely no improvement.

Sleep

The impact on sleep from any supplement is the most subjective for me, especially as I don’t have a sleep tracker, so I just made a note each morning about how well I’d slept. There were no dramatic changes, but perhaps I slept more solidly than usual and was ready to get up as soon as I woke up. I still, generally, took my 5-minute post-lunch siesta (aka power nap!) which I feel is more to refresh my brain than my body.

SpO2

Weight

Not much to report here. My weight and fat percentage are relatively stable, and the reading throughout the trial are within my normal weekly variation.

Conclusion

Given the decline of NAD with age, with the probable knock-on effect to many metabolic pathways in the body (particularly on sirtuins and other DNA repair molecules), I’m very pleased to see that my NAD levels were boosted in just a month. And although there seems to be a good improvement in my grip strength, it’s my running pace that I really notice, so it was disappointing to see that slow down a bit.

I’ve yet to formalise my supplement plan, but NMN and other NAD boosters will certainly be part of it. And it’s particularly useful to be able to directly measure the results of supplementation.

My main conclusion from this trial, though, is more general. It’s very difficult to tell whether weekly physical readings during a supplement trial are a clear effect, a slight trend, or just random variation. I think, in future, I’ll try to run supplement trials for 2 months. That should make it easier to see if a trend upwards or downwards was a statistical fluke, or whether it would continue for longer. Likewise, if I have a cold, or something, it’s less likely to skew the results.

Discounts

Live Forever Club members can get 15% off Jinfiniti's NAD test and NMN supplement. For details about this and many more discounts, visit the member discounts page.