Can taking NMN supplements improve your mental health?
Traditionally, research has focused on the effects of diet on physical health, but nutrient intake also affects mental health.
Complementing your diet with supplements like NMN, Berberine, and Quercetin can tremendously benefit your mental well-being, including supporting muscle function by enhancing cellular energy production.
Mental health, diet and supplements
Mental health affects everything. According to the WHO mental health statistics, 1 in 5 adults lives with a mental health illness. In the last decade, there has been a rise in mental health illnesses by 13 % (till 2017), predicted to have increased further during the COVID-19 pandemic. Having struggled with anxiety myself, I appreciate the importance of why mental health is essential and finding simple ways to improve it. More researchers have been invested in mental health. One of the research fields is how diet can affect moods, depression, and other mental health issues. Diet does not only affect physical health but mental health as well.
Supplements are not taken to replace a healthy diet, but common supplements like omega 3, zinc, magnesium, and vitamin D. Berberine, Quercetin, and NMN have shown evidence of improving mood disorders. These can be highly beneficial since antidepressants are only effective in around ⅓ of people after initial treatments.
There are various theories and mechanisms of what causes mood disorders, and supplements can target some of these irregularities. Each of the supplements mentioned targets different aspects of causes of mental health struggles. These include reduction in the energy provider of the cells (ATP), dysregulation in neurotransmitters and chronic stress.
The anti-ageing supplement NMN
NMN (Nicotinamide mononucleotide) is a B3 vitamin known for its anti-ageing properties.
A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders by Xiaoxian Xiew et al. showed the effects of NMN on depression in mice.
Many studies use a cort-induced depression mouse model, where corticosterone is administered to induce depression-like behaviours.
NMN injections increased NAD+, improving sirtuin activity needed for energy production, which improved the metabolism of energy in their liver and brain.
NAD+ is a coenzyme required for energy production and for cells to function properly.
Studies have indicated that patients with depressive disorders have a reduced ATP generation resulting from a dysfunction in the mitochondria, which is the cell's powerhouse.
NMN helps with mitochondrial function, and it also helps with DNA repair and inflammation control.
In these mouse disease models, NMN is often administered at specific dosages, such as 100 mg/kg, to assess its effects.
Researchers also measure physiological changes such as liver weight and the liver weight to body weight ratio (weight ratio) as indicators of metabolic health and treatment effects.
NMN treatment has been shown to improve depression-like behaviours in depressed animals, but the mechanisms by which energy metabolism is altered in depressed animals remain unclear.
NMN is believed to work by improving mitochondrial energy metabolism and inhibiting energy production disruptions in the brain and liver.
Transcriptome analyses and mRNA expression studies in primary mouse astrocytes have shown NMN's impact on genes involved in energy metabolism.
Notably, transient gene knockdown of SIRT3 in primary mouse astrocytes reversed the beneficial effects of NMN on mitochondrial energy production.
Find out how much NMN you should take according to your age.
The sugar balancing Berberine
Berberine is a sugar balancing alkaloid, naturally found in beetroot, and it helps regulate cholesterol.
Together with these properties, Berberine has been shown to modulate neurotransmitters in the central nervous system.
The mechanism is still being researched, but the evidence suggests that Berberine, as well as all its other benefits, can be used to treat mood disorders.
The dysregulation of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine has been theorised to be a factor in depression.
Berberine has been found to regulate neurotransmitters, particularly biogenic amines, helping with depression and anxiety.
This is because Berberine inhibits monoamine oxidase, which would otherwise break down the crucial neurotransmitters serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine. These molecules all play a role in mood regulation.
The antioxidant Quercetin
Different factors can trigger mood disorders, and one activator is stress.
Quercetin is a bioflavonoid and one of the most well-known antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. It is found in many plants such as green tea, apples, berries and onions.
Additional compounds like Vitamin C help with the absorption of Quercetin.
The main benefits of Quercetin on mental wellbeing are related to its antioxidant properties, regulating oxidative and inflammatory stress.
These antioxidant activities affect glutathione, enzymatic activities, reactive oxygen species and signal transduction pathways.
Quercetin helps with the regulation of glutathione, which protects against cellular damage. It also regulates stress markers, including TBARS, nitric oxide, and the antioxidants thiol and catalase.
Studies on mice have shown that Quercetin can help against stress-induced anxiety and depression while enhancing memory performance and learning ability.
This bioflavonoid stops the increase of lipid peroxidation, which occurs during stress, protecting cells from damage. Read more about what Quercetin is and how it works in improving athletic performance.
Summary and Main takeaways
Together with a healthy, balanced diet, Berberine, Quercetin, and NMN can be taken to improve mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Even if you do not struggle with mental health issues, these supplements can help maintain your mental well-being.
- NMN helps mitochondrial function, increasing ATP generation, which is reduced in patients suffering from depressive disorders.
- Berberine helps regulate neurotransmitters that can affect depression and anxiety.
- Last but not least, Quercetin is believed to help reduce the effects of releasing the stress hormone cortisol.
Here you can read more about when to take Quercetin, Berberine and TMG. Our next article will be about all the benefits of Quercetin in improving athletic performance.
Disclaimer
Nothing mentioned in this article is considered medical advice. Always consult with your doctor first before taking any supplements.
This article discusses the topic of mental health and outlines the benefits of health supplements. It is not considered to be medical advice. Mental health conditions are complex and vary from one individual to the next, requiring physical examination. If you need support, please contact your medical health provider.
Resources and Further reading
Mental Health Statistics 2021 - Mental Health Foundation
Depression Symptoms Treated via NMN in Mice
Pharmacological effects of berberine on mood disorders - PMC (nih.gov)
Researched and reviewed by Dr Elena Seranova, Ph.D.
Dr Seranova holds a master's degree in Translational Neuroscience from the University of Sheffield, UK, and a Ph.D in Stem Cell Biology and Autophagy from the University of Birmingham, UK. She is a published author in multiple peer-reviewed journals, including Cell Reports and Developmental Cell.
Introduction
Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) has emerged as a promising supplement in the quest to improve mental health, particularly for those affected by major depressive disorder.
As research continues to uncover the intricate connections between our mental well-being and the body's energy systems, NMN supplementation stands out for its potential to enhance energy production and mitochondrial energy metabolism.
Compounds like quercetin are being studied for improving athletic performance and recovery in similar ways.
By supporting these fundamental processes, NMN may offer new hope for individuals seeking to boost their mental health and overall vitality.
In this article, we explore the current understanding of NMN and its potential therapeutic applications in the field of mental health.
Understanding NMN and Its Role in Mental Health
NMN is a naturally occurring compound that serves as a direct precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a molecule essential for energy production and mitochondrial function in every cell, and a key focus of superior NAD+-boosting supplements.
When NMN levels are increased through supplementation, NAD+ production is boosted, leading to more efficient energy metabolism and healthier mitochondria. This is why many NMN, Berberine, NAD+ and TMG products are formulated to support these pathways.
This is particularly important for mental health, as the brain is one of the most energy-demanding organs in the body.
Research suggests that NMN supplementation can help restore optimal energy production in the brain, potentially alleviating symptoms of depression and supporting overall mental well-being, especially when combined with targeted brain health supplements for cognition and focus.
While the relationship between NMN and mental health is complex and still being explored, early evidence points to NMN as a promising strategy for improving mental health outcomes by enhancing mitochondrial function and energy metabolism.
Bioenergetics and Cell Death
Mitochondrial bioenergetics, the process by which cells generate and manage energy, is vital for maintaining cellular health and preventing cell death.
In major depressive disorder and other affective disorders, accumulating evidence implicates dysregulation of mitochondrial bioenergetics as a contributing factor.
Disruption of mitochondrial energy production can lead to reduced ATP generation, increased reactive oxygen species, and ultimately, cell death.
NMN as a leading anti-aging supplement has been shown to support mitochondrial energy production, helping to stabilise the tricarboxylic acid cycle and reduce oxidative stress.
By improving energy metabolism and preventing the loss of cellular ATP, NMN may protect against the cellular damage often seen in depression and other mental health conditions, supporting both brain function and overall mental well-being.
The Science Behind NMN: What Research Shows
Recent studies using mouse models have provided valuable insights into the effects of NMN on mental health, complementing practical guidance on how to choose the best NMN product for individual needs.
In these experiments, NMN supplementation has been shown to reverse depressive-like behaviours and enhance mitochondrial function, particularly in the medial prefrontal cortex, a brain region linked to mood regulation.
NMN's ability to stimulate oxidative phosphorylation leads to increased ATP production, supporting energy metabolism at the cellular level. This underpins many of the benefits highlighted in NMN Bio's core NMN supplement offer.
Research on primary mouse cells, including astrocytes, has demonstrated that NMN can prevent cell death and improve mitochondrial bioenergetics.
Transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed that NMN treatment alters the expression of genes involved in energy metabolism and fatty acid synthesis, further highlighting its beneficial role.
These findings also address common concerns about whether NMN can cause cancer, as they show beneficial cellular effects rather than harmful ones.
The findings suggest that NMN may be an effective treatment for stress-induced depression and could enhance stress resilience by facilitating endogenous ATP production and preventing extracellular ATP loss.
This aligns with combination approaches such as the Longevity Essentials Bundle of NMN and TMG.
Connection to Alzheimer's Disease
Beyond its potential in treating depression, NMN is also being studied for its effects on cognitive health and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
Research indicates that NAD+ Brain and related NAD+ support supplementation strategies can improve mitochondrial function, enhance DNA repair, and reduce oxidative stress. These are factors that are crucial in the prevention and progression of Alzheimer's disease.
By supporting mitochondrial energy production and protecting against cellular damage, NMN may help maintain cognitive function and slow the accumulation of amyloid-beta, a hallmark of Alzheimer's.
Its energising effects mean timing and routine matter to avoid issues like insomnia on NMN and sleep disruption.
While more clinical trials are needed, these findings suggest that NMN could play a valuable role in therapeutic strategies aimed at improving cognitive health and mental well-being in ageing populations.
Higher-dose options such as 500mg NMN supplement capsules are often explored in this context.
LEARN MORE!
Leave a comment