This series chronicles my journey from bumbling health newbie, to discovering what is on the cutting edge of health science. In the last episode (Sports Medicine, Space Medicine, Longevity – Part 3 Is Ageing a Disease?), we finished with:

“80% of the factors that determine our health and longevity in later life are in our own hands. Sirtuins, specifically, control the spooling process and the packaging of the genome, and malfunctions in Sirtuins can cause aging. Exercising, dieting and being hungry can help maintain their function, and maximize longevity.

Along with a less stringent option…”

So what is that less stringent option?

The first is to boost the supply of NAD+ which declines with age and is involved in controlling the spooling process and the packaging of the genome.

The second is to remove an excess of senescent cells, which are the ones so badly damaged that they become “zombie cells” which can potentially become cancerous.

So what are the substances that may do this?

• NMN or NR
• Resveratrol

NMN or NR

Supplementing with molecules like NR or NMN might have long-term health benefits in humans, including improvements in athleticism, less inflammation, and potentially staving off type two diabetes.

NMN has been shown to have no negative side effects in human studies and may have similar effects to NR in lengthening lifespan, restoring mitochondrial activity, and enhancing insulin sensitivity.

The idea that simply swallowing NR or NMN capsules can raise NAD levels by two to three fold is intriguing and could have significant implications for longevity research.

Taking one gram of NMN every morning can double NAD levels, which is important for aging individuals who have half the levels of NAD than they did when they were 20.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is a compound naturally found in some plants such as grapes, blueberries, and plums. According to Dr. Sinclair, resveratrol and NMN complement one another. Resveratrol activates the sirtuins. Sirtuins are anti-aging genes that guard and protect our DNA, but their activities are NAD+-dependent.

The alleged benefits also consist of: encouraging the expression of anti-aging-associated genes, promoting optimal mitochondrial function, and insulin responsiveness, aiding in keeping healthy glucose levels and supporting a healthy inflammatory response.

So where can you purchase them?

Large Chemist

My first priority was to find a credible supplier that I could trust, I do not want to risk ingesting anything that could be dangerous and/or ineffective. To start that journey I decided to not risk purchasing via the internet but rather to buy from a large and respected vitamins/supplements brand at a large and respected chemist in Australia.

Despite extensive searching at my local shopping mall I couldn’t find anyone selling NMN. I managed to find Resveratrol that met the above criteria, however I was disappointed that despite it being labelled as “Ultra Strength Resveratrol” the amount in each tablet was fraction of what I had investigated as the low end dose and way below the recommended dose. Also it was mixed with vitamin C and other “Citrus Bioflavonoids” – so if you are perceiving benefits how can you be certain which substance is providing them?

Having spent so long looking I thought I would try this at one tablet a day to see if I can detect any change (which regardless could turn out to be placebo effect). After  a couple of weeks of trying and not being able to feel any difference I decided that my “trial” had not been adequate, so I would continue my quest for a better supplier.

Supplier Factory

I then searched the internet for suppliers in Sydney. I thought if I went out to the location I could see first-hand if they looked reputable, had a shop and/or a research and manufacturing facility.

I found my first contender and drove there, it was a business park which looked promising. Slight hitch the uniit number given didn’t actually exist and after checking with site management there was no such business at the location Strike 1.

My second contender was at a block of apartments – residential not commercial. No signage and no-one answering the phone. Strike 2.

I went back to the internet and widened my search area. I found a supplier that was based at a New Zealand university. That looked more promising, however a more detailed check found that it was backed by a Chinese company. As I had just watched a YouTube video on fake product coming out of China, I wasn’t thrilled. Strike 3.

Specialist supplement store

Back to the internet and looking for a large specialist supplements store anywhere across Sydney. I finally found a decent sized store in a large shopping mall,across town. By now my stubbornness had kicked in and I made a specific trip out there. The product that they supplied was from the supplier who was at the residential apartment block I had visited. The owner of the store said that was only the owner’s residence and that he knew him personally and a deeper review of the website would prove the product was licensed and verified. Still a little concerned, but now thoroughly frustrated I bought some NMN.

The results

So what happened? It worked!!!!

After two weeks I could clearly feel stronger, have more stamina and a clearer mind. Also before I would normally feel the urge for a nap around 2:30pm. Now I was up early (around 6:30am), power through physical work, have dinner and then work on a computer till 9:30pm. An hour’s reading (or similar relaxing activities)  and I would then sleep like a baby till the morning.

It sure didn’t feel like a placebo effect, so I started to investigate further.

Most people report feeling a clear improvement around two months. Great I thought, I am feeling it after two weeks – cool! I was only slightly deflated, when I found out that people have a beneficial effect earlier and stronger because they need it more!!!

So now I was interested in really studying this, so I looked deeper at the Australian manufacturer for the NMN and searched them thoroughly. Surprise! It appeared their certificate only allowed them to make it for export…

I now advanced from frustrated to really pissed off. So I was on a mission to find a thoroughly reputable manufacturer that ticked all the boxes.

A better supplier that I feel comfortable with – DoNotAge

After researching extensively I discovered and reviewed the company DoNotAge ( see DoNotAge.org ). At last a group that actually appear competent, met and exceeded my criteria, and had a load of additional things that I hadn’t even considered.

Why?

• Pure products
  When you want NMN or resveratrol or a whole range of other things you can purchase the pure product.
• Wide range
  They had ALL the products I wanted in one place AND a whole load of new specialist things for me to discover.
• Country of origin
  I may be biased as I was born and spent my earlier years in England before emigrating to Australia, but I was very happy that it is subject to Britsh health standards.
• Internal and External testing
  Clear and frequent internal and external testing with traceable  documentation.
• Reference studies
  On the webpage for each product, there are links to the relevant, recent, high quality studies.
• Medical research facility
  It is a medical research facility, not just some shipping warehouse.
• World leading research doctor
  There are anumber of consulting medical staff, but in particular a world leading research doctor.
• CEO with publicly stated goals that I approve of
  The CEO has given a range of publically available long interviews explaining his goals and motivations. He does not hide away.
• Fast, reliable  delivery
  Products arrived promptly and well packaged for transit.
• Independant genetic testing partnerships
  To really study the effectiveness I want hardcore numbers on a wide range of scales, from a reliable and independent source. These have to be over time to show clear trends. Feeling better, though reassuring and motivating, isn’t enough.

Malcolm Engledew
President at Careers In Space
https://www.linkedin.com/in/malcolm-engledew/

Watch out for the next episode:
Sports Medicine, Space Medicine, Longevity – Part 5 Measure to Manage

NOTE

My personal preference for health supplements is DoNotAge.org who have kindly offered a 10% discount when using the code “SPACEMED”.

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Disclaimer

The information in this article is intended for the  sharing of personal experience information only.   It should be noted that the Author is not in any way whatsoever involved in a medical field, and that the content is based solely on his own experience (which may differ to yours). Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment,  and  before making any decisions regarding your health.  The information provided is “as is,” without any warranties, express or implied, and the Author disclaims any and all liability whatsoever for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages that may arise from using any information in the article.

Disclosure

Please be advised that the discount code provided in this post may result in a small commission for me. Additionally, I would like to disclose that DoNotAge.org has provided me with free products in order to test and gain personal experience for my series.