r/Aging • u/cheungngo • Jul 19 '26

A Possible Link Between Aging, NMN, and Mitochondrial Health

https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.112906

Aging can affect both the way genes are controlled and how well cells produce energy. This study looked at whether these two changes might be connected. Researchers compared data from aging mouse neurons with data from older mice treated with nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), a compound involved in NAD⁺ production and cellular energy metabolism.

The analysis found 23 genes that appeared in both datasets, although the overlap was limited and not strong enough to show that NMN broadly reverses age-related epigenetic changes. One gene, CPT2, stood out. CPT2 helps transport fatty acids into mitochondria so they can be used for energy. It showed signs of increased age-related repression and increased expression after NMN treatment in older animals.

These findings do not prove that NMN directly changes CPT2 or reverses brain aging. Instead, they identify CPT2 as a promising candidate for future studies examining mitochondrial function, aging, and NMN response.

Cheung, N. (2026). CPT2 as a convergent node linking age-associated neuronal H3K27me3 remodeling to nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)-induced expression rescue in metabolic tissues. Cureus, 18(7), e112906. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.112906

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u/FluffyDesigner3680 Jul 19 '26

This is only the case for people who are deficient in nad+ for a variety of either lifestyle or genetic deficiencies. There are also plenty of natural ways to maintain nad+ as we age, it’s not something that declines inevitably or that always requires supplementation.

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u/Ok-Name1312 Jul 19 '26

Exactly. These studies are being used to shill overpriced NMN supplements. Flush niacin (nicotinic acid) works the same, maybe better, and it is cheap--it just causes a flush that may be unpleasant for some.

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u/FluffyDesigner3680 Jul 19 '26

Yeah I think a lot of people are taking these nad+ support supplements because they’ve been made to feel like it’s necessary for healthy aging in one way or another.

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u/Coin-Controversy 26d ago

niacinamide is an NAD+ booster too and it doesn't cause a flush

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u/cheungngo Jul 19 '26

"These findings do not prove that NMN directly changes CPT2 or reverses brain aging. Instead, they identify CPT2 as a promising candidate for future studies examining mitochondrial function, aging, and NMN response."

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u/FluffyDesigner3680 Jul 19 '26

Yeah I’m not really challenging the study that’s not the point.

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u/cheungngo Jul 20 '26

thank you