Intermittent fasting is a dietary approach that involves cycling between periods of eating and fasting.
Beyond its association with weight loss, intermittent fasting has intrigued researchers due to its potential benefits for cellular health and longevity through processes like autophagy.
The benefits mentioned above (cellular health and longevity) are also associated with the main subject of our blog post – NMN, which is an abbreviation for Nicotinamide Mononucleotide.
What Is NMN?
NMN, or Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, is a crucial player in the creation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a coenzyme vital for cellular function, energy metabolism, and DNA repair.
Consider NMN as the precursor to NAD+, meaning its availability leads to the formation of NAD+ within our bodies.
As we age, the levels of NAD+ diminish, research suggests that this decline in NAD+ is caused by a decline in NMN.
Since the two are vital for cellular function, energy metabolism, and DNA repair, their decline has been linked to the aging process itself.
Therefore, researchers and companies are looking into NMN supplementation to counter or at least slow down the dreaded aging process.
The idea is that NMN could act as a support system for NAD+, potentially mitigating age-related cellular decline.
Fasting And NMN Supplementation.
One common thing between NMN and intermittent fasting is the promise of a slowed-down aging process.
This means combining intermittent fasting and NMN supplementation could lead to better results in cellular function, energy metabolism, and DNA repair – consequentially leading to a more graceful aging process.
The question is, can intermittent fasting and NMN supplementation go hand in hand?
Or will taking an NMN supplement when fasting break your fast and hinder your progress?
In the next section, I will answer the question above and then go ahead and explain other considerations you should make before combining NMN supplementation with intermittent fasting.
Does NMN Break A Fast?
If you are looking at fasting in terms of caloric intake, then no, NMN will not break your fast.
NMN supplements have low to no calories at all and are not expected to disrupt the fasting state.
When it comes to insulin response, NMN is not expected to trigger a significant insulin release, allowing you to maintain lower insulin levels typical of the fasting state.
One more thing is that since NMN promotes NAD+ production and thereby better cellular function, energy metabolism, and DNA repair – its supplementation aligns with the objectives of intermittent fasting.
On the flip side, IFERs in favor of NMN breaking a fast contend that NMN’s activation of cellular metabolism might shift the body from a fasting to a fed state, potentially interfering with the cellular repair and regeneration processes associated with fasting.
Another argument is that any substance entering the body during fasting could elicit some degree of insulin response, therefore individuals with insulin sensitivity might experience a more pronounced insulin response.
With that, it’s hard to have a verdict, and NMN supplementation during fasting requires a cautious and thought out approach.
Remember, fasting impacts people differently, the introduction of NMN might disrupt the fasting state for some while not affecting others.
FDA Ban on NMN Being Marketed In Dietary Supplements Products.
The FDA concluded in November 2022 that NMN cannot be lawfully marketed in dietary supplement products.
This decision has diminished the over-the-counter availability of NMN supplements and individuals interested in supporting their NAD+ levels with NMN have to explore alternative options – with NAD+ supplements emerging as the go-to substitute.
Directly supplementing with NAD+ means individuals aim to bypass the NMN conversion step and provide their cells with a more direct source of this essential coenzyme, clever right?
These developments leave us with one more important question to answer…
Does NAD+ Break A Fast?
The question of whether NAD+ breaks a fast is complex and depends on the form in which it is consumed.
Pure NAD+ supplements are unlikely to contain calories and therefore cannot break your fast.
However, some NAD+ supplements on the market come in combination with other compounds or ingredients, such as precursors or stabilizers, which may contribute calories and potentially interfere with the fasting state.
NMN, NAD+ Supplements And Intermittent Fasting.
Here’s the thing, supplimenting with NMN or NAD+ during intermittent fasting is not a must.
If you have to, just as with any supplementation during fasting, you should carefully read product labels, and pay attention to calorie content and additional ingredients to avoid breaking your fast.
If your goal of fasting is primarily metabolic benefits, then maintaining caloric restriction is essential and you will be better off avoiding any sneaky supplements during your fasting windows.
Does NMN Break A Fast – Summary.
The synergy between intermittent fasting and NMN supplementation holds promise for a more effective aging process.
What’s more? NMN supplements are typically low in calories and are mostly always safe to take when fasting without breaking the fast.
While debates still persists on whether NMN breaks a fast, the FDA’s ban on NMN being marketed as a dietary suppliment has led individuals to explore NAD+ supplements as an alternative.
As for NAD+, the complexity lies in its form – pure NAD+ supplements may not break a fast, but caution is advised with combinations containing calories.
