Dr Zac warns of the risks of latest health supplement fads

The latest fad in the ever growing list of health trends needs to be approached with caution, one doctor has stressed.

Welcome to Ask Doctor Zac, a weekly column from news.com.au. This week, Dr Zac Turner shares his opinion on the latest wellness fad.

QUESTION: Hi Dr Zac, what the heck is NMN? Why are all the influencers on my feed talking about it, what does it do? Should I do it? How do I do it? My curious friend ordered some online and got powder delivered in Ziploc bag in the mail and it looks dodgy –

Shanae, 28, Queensland

ANSWER: I’d let your friend know that most bags of powder you receive in the mail should not be trusted. It’s always best to get supplements from an authorised supplier, or a local pharmacist, chemist and health store.

NMN, or Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, is derived from vitamin B3 (niacin) and is found in human cells. It has a critical role to play in how the body uses cellular energy. It plays a role in energy production, DNA repair, and immune functions. All the cells in your body use nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and therefore require NMN to function properly.

Most bags of powder you receive in the mail should not be trusted! Picture: iStock

Trend

NMN has become the latest fad in the ever growing list of health trends. Although this one has some evidence to it, I commend you on still having your bullcrap detector on. Additionally, not all NMN powders and pills are the same, so I always recommend starting low and going slow.

When taken, NMN synthesises naturally occurring NAD in our body. This is all fancy talk for something quite simple – consider NMN and NAD as a zipper. NAD is the row of teeth, and NMN is the slider that locks everything into place when you pull it.

Influencers have discovered the levels of naturally occurring NAD decrease as you age, and that taking NMN supplements replenishes NAD levels. Many studies have evaluated the potential health benefits of NMN supplementation. That includes anti-ageing benefits to your skin, brain, eyes, and heart health, even improving fertility.

The potential health benefits of NMN supplementation include anti-ageing. Picture: iStock

Weight loss

NMN is getting a lot of attention because it’s also seen as another weight loss supplement. NAD+ turns on sirtuins (SIRTS), which help control cell metabolism. Supplementing with NMN has been shown to reduce weight gain associated with ageing and also help regulate glucose intolerance along with having benefits with cognition and energy.

NMN is present in various food sources such as fruits and vegetables. Picture: iStock

Natural first

Before you go shopping on the internet for bags of powder, I recommend you visit the grocery store first. Natural NMN is present in various food sources such as raw beef, fruits and vegetables, including broccoli, cabbage, edamame, cucumber, avocado and tomato. Many people take far too many extra vitamin supplements, which are often not necessary.

I recommend having a look at how much NMN is in different foods that you’re already eating.

You need to be careful with which brand you go for, as they’re not all made the same! Picture: iStock

Some drugs are made in a sterile lab, and others are made in a toilet. Picture: iStock

Dose

The recommended beginning dose of NMN is 250mg and it’s only to be increased after a week of regular use with no issues.

If you do decide this is for you, you can get NMN supplements in either pill form or powder. You should aim to take it in the morning, on an empty stomach and an hour before eating any food. This is due to NMN possibly causing disruptions to your circadian rhythm, kind of like having a coffee late in the day.

You need to be careful with which brand you go for, as they’re not all made the same! Some drugs are made in a sterile lab, and others are made in a toilet.

I always recommend chatting to your doctor first before trying any supplements.

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Dr Zac Turner has a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Sydney. He is both a medical practitioner and a co-owner of telehealth service, Concierge Doctors. He was also a registered nurse and is a qualified and experienced biomedical scientist along with being a PhD Candidate in Biomedical Engineering.