NMN (β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide)

NMN (Beta-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide) is a naturally occurring nucleotide found in trace amounts in edamame, broccoli, and avocado. It's a direct precursor to NAD⁺, a coenzyme your cells use for normal energy production. NAD⁺ is something the body draws on every day, which is part of why NMN has become one of the more talked-about nutrients for women 35+. In element3 Rise (AM Formula), NMN is included at 250mg to support normal cellular energy.

NMN (β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide)

Technical review: Lucy Yang, MFoodTech (Dist.)Reviewed

[ 01 ] Key Facts

Dose in element3 element3 Rise: 250mg
Form β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN), direct NAD+ precursor
Signs you may need more Persistent fatigue despite adequate sleep, slow recovery from exercise or illness, declining skin elasticity, poor concentration
Safe range 125–500mg daily. Well-tolerated in human studies up to 1,200mg/day. Long-term safety data (>12 months) still emerging.

Food sources

  • Broccoli
  • Cabbage
  • Avocado

[ 02 ] Rationale

Why this ingredient is in element3

NMN exists in the body for one primary reason: to be converted into NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), the coenzyme that every cell in your body requires to produce energy, and regulate gene expression. NAD+ is not optional, it is a fundamental requirement for cellular life. And research shows NAD⁺ levels gradually decline with age.

NAD⁺ supports the everyday work your cells do. Mitochondria, the energy-producing structures inside your cells, rely on it, as do sirtuins, a family of proteins involved in normal cellular function. This is why NAD⁺ has become a focus of interest in research on energy and healthy cellular function as we age.

The 250mg dose in element3 Rise sits at a level drawn from human studies. At this dose, NMN has been studied for its role in supporting NAD⁺ levels and normal energy metabolism. The element3 Rise formulation uses high-purity (>99%) NMN chosen for quality and consistency.

Within the element3 Rise formula, NMN works in deliberate synergy with two other complementary ingredients. Trans-Resveratrol activates SIRT1, a sirtuin protein that depends on NAD+ as its substrate, meaning NMN provides the fuel that Resveratrol’s pathway needs to function. PQQ supports the creation of entirely new mitochondria (mitochondrial biogenesis), giving NMN more cellular machinery to power.

Together, NMN, Trans-Resveratrol and PQQ work along related cellular pathways, which is why element3 Rise includes all three.

[ 03 ] At 35+

Relevant at 35+

NAD⁺ is something the body draws on constantly, and research indicates levels change gradually with age. That change is part of why NAD⁺ has become a focus of interest for women thinking about their energy from their mid-30s onward.

Perimenopause adds another layer. As hormone levels shift, many women notice their energy and focus feel different from one week to the next. This is a normal part of the transition, not a deficiency, and it’s part of why interest in cellular energy support tends to grow at this stage.

NMN is of interest here because of its role as a direct precursor to NAD⁺. Within element3 Rise it sits alongside Trans-Resveratrol and PQQ, which work along related cellular pathways. For women in their late 30s and 40s, that makes it a considered addition, included to support normal cellular energy rather than as a quick fix.

[ 04 ] Your Questions

Your Questions

What is NMN?
NMN (Beta-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide) is a naturally occurring nucleotide found in trace amounts in edamame, broccoli and avocado. It's a direct precursor to NAD⁺, a coenzyme your cells use for normal energy production. NMN occurs in every cell of your body, but only in very small amounts in food, which is why it's included in element3 Rise at a level drawn from human studies.

What are the benefits of taking NMN?
NMN has been studied for its role as a precursor to NAD⁺, a coenzyme involved in normal cellular energy. Human research has looked at NAD⁺ levels and measures of energy metabolism and physical function. As with any single nutrient, it works as one part of a varied diet and lifestyle.

What are the benefits of NMN in the element³ protocol?
In element3 Rise, NMN at 250mg is part of the MITO-ACTIVE™ Complex, alongside Trans-Resveratrol and PQQ. NMN is a precursor to NAD⁺, Trans-Resveratrol interacts with SIRT1, and PQQ relates to mitochondrial number. The three work along complementary cellular pathways, which is why element3 Rise includes all of them.

What is the recommended daily intake of NMN?
Human research has used NMN at 250–500mg per day. element3 Rise provides 250mg per serve, the lower end of that range, chosen for consistent daily use within a multi-ingredient formula. Human trials have demonstrated safety at doses up to 1,200mg per day with no significant adverse effects. As always, individual needs vary and a healthcare practitioner can advise on appropriate dosing based on your health status.

What food provides NMN?
NMN occurs naturally in edamame, broccoli, avocado, cabbage, cucumber, and tomatoes, but in trace microgram amounts, far below the milligram doses used in clinical research. A typical serve of broccoli provides approximately 0.25–1.12mg of NMN; achieving the 250mg in element3 Rise through food alone would require impractical quantities. Supplementation is the only practical route to the doses that have been shown to raise blood NAD+ levels in clinical trials.

Are there any NMN side effects?
NMN is well-tolerated in human clinical trials at doses up to 1,200mg per day with no significant adverse effects reported. At the 250mg dose in element3 Rise, side effects are uncommon. Some people notice mild digestive changes when first beginning NMN supplementation, which typically resolve within the first week. As with any supplement, those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications should consult a healthcare practitioner before starting NMN.

What are NMN deficiency symptoms?
NMN itself is not an essential nutrient in the traditional sense, so there is no defined deficiency state. It occurs naturally in small amounts in foods like edamame, broccoli and avocado, and is included in element3 Rise for its role in supporting normal cellular energy.

What form of NMN is in the element3 blend?
element3 Rise uses Beta-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) at high purity (≥99%), which is the bioactive form found in human cells and the form used in all major clinical trials. Purity matters significantly with NMN, lower-grade products may contain impurities that reduce efficacy. The 250mg dose in element3 Rise aligns with the TGA-approved range and the doses used in published human trials demonstrating NAD+ elevation.

What is the difference between NMN and NR?
Both NMN and NR (nicotinamide riboside) are precursors to NAD+, but NMN is one step closer in the conversion pathway, which may make it more efficient. Recent research suggests NMN can be directly transported into cells via the Slc12a8 transporter, bypassing the need for prior conversion.

NMN vs NAD+ supplements — which is better?
NAD+ molecules are too large to be efficiently absorbed orally. NMN is a smaller precursor that the body readily converts to NAD+, making it a more practical supplementation strategy. Most longevity researchers now favour NMN or NR over direct NAD+ supplementation

[ 05 ] The Research

4 studies

The Research

Study Key finding
Chronic nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation elevates blood nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide levels and alters muscle function in healthy older menIgarashi, M., Nakagawa-Nagahama, Y., Miura, M., Kashiwabara, K., Yaku, K., Sawada, M., Sekine, R., Fukamizu, Y., Sato, T., Sakurai, T., Sato, J., Ino, K., Kubota, N., Nakagawa, T., Kadowaki, T., & Yamauchi, T. (2022). Chronic nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation elevates blood nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide levels and alters muscle function in healthy older men. npj Aging, 8(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41514-022-00084-z
12 weeks of NMN significantly increased whole-blood NAD+ and improved measures of muscular function (gait, grip) in healthy older men.
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Clinical evaluation of changes in biomarkers by oral intake of NMNMorita, Y., Izawa, H., Hirano, A., Mayumi, E., & Iwakawa, S. (2022). Clinical evaluation of changes in biomarkers by oral intake of NMN. Glycative Stress Research, 9(2), 33–41.
Eight weeks of oral NMN modulated biomarkers of NAD+ metabolism and oxidative stress in healthy adults.
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The efficacy and safety of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation in healthy middle-aged adults: a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, dose-dependent clinical trialYi, L., Maier, A. B., Tao, R., Lin, Z., Vaidya, A., Pendse, S., Thasma, S., Andhalkar, N., Avhad, G., & Kumbhar, V. (2023). The efficacy and safety of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation in healthy middle-aged adults: A randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, dose-dependent clinical trial. GeroScience, 45(1), 29–43. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-022-00705-1
60 days of NMN dose-dependently raised blood NAD+ and improved performance on a six-minute walk test and SF-36 physical scores in healthy middle-aged adults.
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The Safety and Antiaging Effects of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide in Human Clinical Trials: an UpdateSong, Q., Zhou, X., Xu, K., Liu, S., Zhu, X., & Yang, J. (2023). The safety and antiaging effects of nicotinamide mononucleotide in human clinical trials: An update. Advances in Nutrition, 14(6), 1416–1435. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advnut.2023.08.008
Updated systematic review of human NMN trials reporting consistent increases in NAD+ and benefits across aerobic capacity, sleep and cardiometabolic markers.
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[ 06 ] In the Protocol

Where NMN (β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide) sits in the element3 Protocol

In element3 Rise (AM Formula), NMN at 250mg is the primary NAD⁺ precursor in the MITO-ACTIVE™ Complex. It works alongside Trans-Resveratrol, which interacts with SIRT1, and PQQ, which relates to mitochondrial number. Taken in the morning, NMN supports normal cellular energy through the day. It is one of the more extensively researched nutrients in this area, which is why it sits at the centre of element3 Rise.

You can learn more about the full element3 ingredient philosophy at element3.co.nz.

Good to know

This page is for general education only. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor, pharmacist or other health professional. Dietary supplements should not replace a balanced diet. Always read the label and use only as directed. If symptoms persist, or you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication, talk to your health professional before use.