NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide) is a substance that has become very popular in recent years, both within the scientific community and among consumers. NMN has potentially beneficial effects on health and serves as a promising anti-aging supplement. But is NMN legal and is it safe? We address this in this article.
Is NMN banned?
NMN is currently prohibited, but NMN is not a banned substance. According to European Union regulations, NMN is considered a 'Novel Food'. This means that NMN cannot officially be sold as a dietary supplement within the European Union. Before NMN can be legally sold, it must first undergo an extensive approval process. Despite good progress being made in this process, it may unfortunately take years before NMN is officially approved. Since NMN is extremely popular and already used by hundreds of thousands of people worldwide, most consumers cannot wait for this and order their NMN through various websites & online marketplaces.
Why do you still sell NMN despite the ban?
The genie is out of the bottle, people want to use NMN and will continue to use NMN. Worldwide, NMN is used safely and without side effects by hundreds of thousands of people. NMN is a molecule that naturally occurs in the human body and NMN is derived from vitamin B3.
Research has shown that 70% of the NMN supply contains no or too little NMN. We want to offer a safe and high-quality NMN product so that people get what they expect. A product that contains what is stated on the label. Additionally, the product should be safely produced according to relevant ISO and GMP standards, and each batch should be tested in a laboratory. We want to provide people who want to use NMN with the best possible supplement. With this, we also want to prevent people from sourcing their NMN in other ways and for NMN to potentially end up in illegality.
After all, we produce and sell an NMN supplement because the safety of NMN has now been extensively demonstrated through various studies. At this moment, more than 16 human studies have already been conducted, none of which have shown that NMN is unsafe or leads to serious side effects. 
View our range of NMN supplements here.
Which supplements are also considered 'Novel Food' but still widely available?
CBD and related products are a good example of a Novel Food, yet they are available everywhere. CBD is widely available while CBD is officially banned. CBD is still awaiting official approval. What has already happened with CBD is now also happening with NMN, and you see that more and more manufacturers are starting to offer NMN, even though this is not yet officially allowed. NMN, like CBD, is a good and safe supplement that contributes to a healthier lifestyle, better health, and an improvement in quality of life for many people. The European Union, due to bureaucracy and slow regulations, is lagging behind, causing it to take a long time before good supplements can be officially sold.
Is NMN an endogenous substance?
Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a naturally occurring substance in the body and is found in all cells of the human body. The advantage of this is that the body knows how to handle this substance. NMN is used by all cells in our body and is an alternative form of vitamin B3 (Niacin). At the molecular level, it belongs to a class of molecules called nucleotides, the building blocks of RNA and DNA. NMN is converted into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), thereby increasing NAD+ levels. Therefore, NMN is often referred to as an NAD+ booster.
Is NMN safe?
Meanwhile, more than 16 human studies have been conducted by, among others, Harvard and various major institutes from around the world. The research shows that NMN is safe, even up to a daily dose of 1200mg. Probably also up to a higher dose, but this will need further investigation. NMN is a derivative of vitamin B3 and NMN is a substance that naturally occurs in the body, so the body knows how to handle this molecule. On our website, we regularly publish relevant studies about NMN. Read more here.
Legal status of NMN in other countries
The European Union is lagging behind in authorizing NMN. For example, in Australia, New Zealand, England (UK), Switzerland, and various countries in Asia, South America & Africa, NMN is allowed as a supplement and thus available everywhere. In the United States, NMN has a somewhat unique status. Initially, NMN was available in major supermarkets and drugstores, but now the FDA has designated NMN as a potential drug. This means that NMN officially cannot be sold as a supplement in the US at this time because the properties/effects of NMN are first being investigated for diseases and conditions. However, NMN is widely available online as a supplement in the US, and the FDA has even indicated that it will not strictly enforce this. In short, NMN is becoming legally available in more and more countries; it is now just a matter of waiting until the EU also officially allows NMN on the market as a supplement.
NMN known from Jinek
On January 5, 2023, Professor Andrea Maier was a guest on Eva Jinek's talk show to discuss NMN as a supplement that can counteract aging. During the interview, she mentioned that researchers have managed to extend the lifespan of mice by no less than 60% with NMN. Additionally, she explained that NMN is safe and what the effects and health benefits for humans could be. However, she noted that NMN unfortunately cannot yet be officially sold, but you can already order it. Unfortunately, the interview is no longer available online to watch.
Can I naturally increase my NMN levels through diet?
NMN is naturally found in various foods. Some food sources that are rich in NMN include:
- avocado's | 0.36 to 1.60 mg per 100 grams
- broccoli | 0.25 to 1.12 mg per 100 grams
- cool | up to 0.9 mg per 100 grams
- tomatoes | 0.26 to 0.30 mg per 100 grams
- raw beef | 0.06 to 0.42 mg per 100 grams
- Small amounts of NMN are also found in cow's milk, cucumbers, and edamame.
The problem is that for a standard dose of NMN (500mg), you would have to eat a lot of food, such as 50 kilos of avocados, for example.
Studies in mice have shown that the gut easily absorbs NMN from food, but more studies are needed to investigate how eating NMN-rich foods can increase NAD levels in your cells.
What exactly is a 'Novel Food'?
A 'novel food' is a term used in the EU to describe foods that were not consumed in significant amounts by people in the EU before May 1997, the date of the first novel food legislation. This category can include ingredients produced through new production processes, such as genetic modification, or those traditionally consumed outside the EU.
