Study
Efficacy of oral nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation on glucose and lipid metabolism for adults: a systematic review with meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials
A meta-analysis of 12 RCTs (513 participants) found NMN reliably raises blood NAD and lowers triglycerides in overweight adults, but most clinically relevant outcomes and body composition did not improve.
Summary Does taking NMN improve blood sugar, cholesterol, or fitness in adults? Show / hide ↓
Researchers combined 12 randomized controlled trials, studies that assign people by chance to receive NMN or a comparison treatment, involving 513 adults. NMN raised blood NAD, a substance cells use to produce energy, and lowered triglycerides, a type of blood fat, mainly in people who were overweight or obese. It did not clearly improve fasting blood sugar, physical performance, or body composition. Reported side effects were mostly mild stomach problems, but all the studies had important weaknesses, and five were judged at high risk of bias.
What this means for you: NMN has not been shown to meaningfully improve most health or fitness measures in adults. It is not a strong reason to buy NMN, although it may lower triglycerides in overweight or obese people; larger, better studies are needed.
moderate evidenceZhang, Poon, and Wong screened 4,049 records and included 12 randomised controlled trials with 513 total participants. Random-effects meta-analysis found a significant overall effect of NMN on elevating blood NAD levels. Fasting glucose did not change significantly (mean difference -0.39 mg/dL, 95% CI -2.52 to 1.75, p=0.683). Physical performance showed a non-significant trend toward improvement (standardized mean difference 0.24, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.50, p=0.074). Triglycerides did decrease significantly in participants who were overweight or obese. Risk-of-bias assessment using RoB2 found some concerns in seven of the 12 trials and high risk of bias in the other five. Side effects were mostly mild gastrointestinal issues (diarrhea, abdominal pain), with no significant change in liver enzymes at doses up to 1250 mg/day. The authors' bottom line: NMN reliably boosts blood NAD and gives a moderate triglyceride improvement in overweight or obese people, but most clinically relevant outcomes and body composition changes are not proven effective in humans. This is one of the two major NMN meta-analyses to read alongside the Chen/Zhou 2024 Current Diabetes Reports review; they draw very similar conclusions from overlapping trial pools.
In conclusion, results of this meta-analysis reveal that NMN supplementation effectively boosts blood NAD levels and provides a moderate improvement in TG levels in overweight/obese participants. Nonetheless, most of the clinically relevant outcomes and body composition were not proven effective in humans receiving NMN supplementation.
Over half of the 12 included trials carry some or high risk of bias per RoB2. Short trial durations (14 days to 12 weeks) limit conclusions about long-term efficacy or safety.
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