Current research shows that nmn does not directly raise testosterone in people, but some studies show there might be a link. Testosterone is important for muscle growth, energy, and mood. Many people try nmn to see if it helps with testosterone and health. Nicotinamide mononucleotide may help people who want healthy testosterone as they get older. Scientists are still studying how nmn changes testosterone and other hormones.
Key Takeaways
NMN helps the body make NAD+. NAD+ gives energy and helps fix cells. It also keeps hormones balanced. NMN does not directly raise testosterone in people.
Animal studies show NMN can help raise testosterone. It does this by protecting testicular cells and lowering stress. But human studies have not shown this effect yet.
Taking NMN supplements can give more energy and help metabolism. This is helpful for older adults. It may help keep testosterone levels healthy in an indirect way.
NMN is usually safe for healthy adults if taken as told. Some people should not take it, like kids, pregnant women, and those with kidney or liver problems.
For best results, use NMN with a healthy lifestyle. Always talk to a doctor before starting supplements. This helps make sure it is safe and you get good advice.
Does NMN Increase Testosterone Levels?
Scientific Evidence Overview
A lot of people wonder if NMN can make testosterone go up. Scientists have looked into this, but the answer is not clear. Most studies about NMN and higher testosterone are done on animals. These animal studies show NMN might help the body make more testosterone in some cases.
When mice got NMN, their testicular NAD+ went up.
Their blood had more testosterone after getting NMN.
NMN helped protect Leydig cells and germ cells, which help make testosterone.
Mice had more sperm when they took NMN.
Signs of stress, like Malondialdehyde (MDA), went down, and antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD) went up.
NMN lowered reactive oxygen species (ROS) and less cell death happened in testicular tissue.
Inflammatory proteins, like p-p65 and p-STAT3, went down, showing less swelling.
Gene tests showed changes in inflammation and germ cell markers, which help the testes work better and make more testosterone.
These findings mean NMN can help animals make more testosterone by keeping their testes healthy and lowering damage from stress and swelling.
Note: Most of what we know comes from animal studies. Scientists need to do more research with people to be sure.
Animal vs. Human Studies
Animal studies give us good clues about how NMN might help with testosterone. In mice, NMN made blood testosterone go up and kept the cells that make testosterone safe. These results show NMN has a strong effect on testosterone in animals.
But studies with people are few. Scientists have not found clear proof that NMN raises testosterone in humans. Some small studies hint at benefits, but the results are not strong enough to be sure. How NMN affects testosterone may depend on age, health, or other things.
Animal studies show NMN can raise testosterone and help the testes.
Human studies do not show a clear link between NMN and more testosterone yet.
NMN’s effects on testosterone may change based on a person’s health.
NMN might help keep testosterone levels healthy, but scientists need more studies to know if it can raise testosterone in people. People should not expect NMN to boost testosterone unless future research proves it works.
What is NMN?
NMN and NAD+ Role
Nicotinamide mononucleotide, or NMN, is found in all living things. Scientists call NMN a nucleotide. It has three main parts: a phosphate group, a ribose sugar, and a nicotinamide base. NMN helps make NAD, which is a very important coenzyme. NAD lets cells make energy, fix DNA, and handle stress. You can find NMN in small amounts in foods like broccoli, avocados, and cabbage. Most people get NMN by taking supplements or through nmn supplementation.
NMN matters because it turns right into NAD. When you take NMN, your body changes it to NAD fast. This helps with energy and fixing cells. NAD also turns on sirtuins, which help slow aging and keep cells working well. Studies show that taking NMN can raise NAD levels. This might help lower problems from getting older, like oxidative stress and inflammation.
NMN can break down from some enzymes, but scientists have found ways to protect it and make it work better in the body.
NMN in the Body
When someone takes NMN supplements, the body uses special transporters to absorb it. Once inside the cell, NMN becomes NAD. This helps the cell make more energy and repair itself. Many studies have checked how NMN supplements change NAD levels in people. The table below shows what recent research found:
| Study (Author, Year) | Population & Sample Size | NMN Dose & Duration | NAD+ Change |
| Huang et al. (2023) | 62 healthy adults | 300 mg/day, 60 days | ~10% increase |
| Yi et al. (2023) | 80 midlife/older adults | 300-900 mg/day, 60 days | 3-6 fold increase |
| Igarashi et al. (2023) | 42 older men | 250 mg/day, 12 weeks | 6-fold increase |
| Okabe et al. (2023) | 29 adults | 250 mg/day, 12 weeks | ~75% increase |
These results show NMN supplements can raise NAD in the blood. More NAD means better energy and cell repair. It may also help slow some signs of aging. Many people use NMN supplements for these reasons, especially as they get older and NAD goes down.
Testosterone Production and Regulation
How Testosterone is Made
Testosterone is made in Leydig cells in the testes. The process starts with cholesterol. Cholesterol is the main building block. Luteinizing hormone (LH) tells the cells to use cholesterol. Cholesterol moves into the mitochondria. The enzyme CYP11A1 changes cholesterol to pregnenolone. Pregnenolone goes to the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. More enzymes help turn it into testosterone. The main way humans make testosterone is the Δ5 pathway. Enzymes like CYP17A1 and HSD17B3 are important in this process. The body keeps testosterone in the testes much higher than in the blood. This helps make sperm and supports male health. The testes make a few milligrams of testosterone each day. The body uses and replaces it quickly. Testosterone travels in the blood to muscles, bones, and the brain.
Factors Affecting Testosterone
Many things can change testosterone levels. Age is a big factor. Testosterone is highest in early adulthood. It drops about 1% each year after that. Lifestyle choices matter too. Exercise, especially lifting weights, helps keep testosterone high. Eating healthy foods supports hormone balance. Bad diets, being overweight, and not moving enough lower testosterone. These also raise the risk of hormone problems. Good sleep and less stress are important. Sleeping 7-9 hours helps the body make hormones. Stress raises cortisol, which can block testosterone. Some medicines, like statins and metformin, may lower testosterone. Studies show active men who eat well have more testosterone. They also have fewer hormone problems.
The chart below shows testosterone levels in healthy young men:
| Percentile | Testosterone Level (ng/dL) |
| 2.5th | 264 |
| 5th | 303 |
| 50th | 531 |
| 95th | 852 |
| 97.5th | 916 |
Note: These numbers are from studies of young men who are not obese. Age, weight, and ethnicity can change these levels. Lab tests help doctors check testosterone and plan treatment.
NMN and Testosterone Production Mechanisms
NAD+ and Enzyme Activity
NMN helps make NAD, which is important for every cell. NAD lets enzymes work better, especially ones that help make steroid hormones like testosterone. When NMN raises NAD, it can help enzymes like 3β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase work more. This enzyme is needed to make testosterone. Some studies say that more NAD from NMN helps these enzymes do their job. This could mean more testosterone in some cases.
NMN is a building block for NAD, which cells need.
NAD helps enzymes that make testosterone work better.
NMN boosts NAD, which helps enzymes make steroid hormones.
Research in older men showed NMN supplements raised testosterone and made muscles stronger.
Clinical trials found women have less NAD than men, and less testosterone is linked to lower NAD.
Animal studies show NMN can change NAD, which might change testosterone levels.
Other enzymes, like retinol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenases, also need NAD. These enzymes help make retinoic acid, which is good for sperm and hormone health. When people get older, NAD goes down. Then, these enzymes slow down, and testosterone can drop.
| Measurement | Methodology | Description |
| Testicular testosterone | Radioimmunoassay | Measures testosterone in testis tissue using special antibodies. |
| NAD and related metabolites | UPLC-MS/MS | Checks NAD and similar molecules in testis samples with advanced technology. |
| Statistical analyses | GraphPad Prism | Uses math tests to see if results are meaningful. |
Cellular Energy and Hormones
Cells need energy to make hormones like testosterone. NAD helps cells turn food into energy. When NMN raises NAD, cells get more energy. This extra energy helps hormone-making cells, like Leydig cells in the testes.
A study found men with better insulin use and better fitness had more testosterone. Their muscles had more genes for making energy. Men with low testosterone often had weaker mitochondria, which are the cell’s power plants. These men also had more problems with their metabolism.
| Variable/Measure | Correlation with Testosterone Levels | Statistical Significance | Notes |
| Insulin Sensitivity | Positive (r = 0.4) | P < 0.005 | Better insulin use links to more testosterone |
| Maximal Aerobic Capacity (V̇o2max) | Positive (r = 0.43) | P < 0.05 | Fitter men have more testosterone |
| Oxidative Phosphorylation Gene Expression | Positive (r = 0.57) | P < 0.0001 | Stronger mitochondria, more testosterone |
NMN may help keep NAD high, which helps with energy and hormone health. This link between cell energy and making testosterone is why scientists want to learn more about NMN.
Can NMN Help Increase Testosterone Levels?
Indirect Effects on Hormonal Health
NMN does not boost testosterone right away. It works by raising NAD in the body. NAD helps cells stay healthy and helps make hormones. When people take NMN, they often feel more energy and better cell repair. These changes help the body make hormones.
NMN supplements raise NAD, which helps make testosterone.
More NAD helps enzymes keep hormones balanced.
NMN helps metabolism and lowers swelling, which may help the body make more testosterone.
Studies show more NAD helps cells fight stress and fix DNA, which is good for testosterone.
Researchers saw that NMN helped older men with testosterone and muscle strength. Testosterone also helps lower swelling by working on immune cells. So, NMN helps NAD and lowers swelling, which may help keep testosterone levels healthy. But NMN does not raise testosterone directly. It helps the body stay healthy, which can help with hormone balance.
Context-Dependent Outcomes
NMN’s effect on testosterone depends on many things. Age, health, and how you live all matter. NMN works best for people with low NAD or who are older. In these people, NMN may help the body make more testosterone by helping cells.
NMN does not always raise testosterone for everyone.
People with good NAD and hormones may not see much change.
NMN helps most by supporting metabolism and stopping cell damage.
Some mouse studies showed NMN made mice drink more water and make more heat, which means better metabolism. NMN also helped make telomeres longer, which protect DNA and help with aging. These changes help the body keep hormones balanced. NMN is not a direct way to raise testosterone, but it helps the systems that make hormones. Scientists need to do more research to see how NMN changes testosterone in different people.
Tip: People should use NMN with a healthy lifestyle, not as a quick way to raise testosterone.
NMN Benefits for Men
Energy and Metabolism
NMN gives men some good benefits, especially for energy and metabolism. Studies say NMN can help men have more stamina and endurance. In mice, scientists saw up to 80% better results in these areas. Human studies show NMN raises NAD levels, which helps the body use energy better. This extra energy helps with daily life and exercise.
A study with runners showed NMN helped their aerobic fitness. Men who took NMN had muscles that used oxygen better during exercise. The higher the NMN dose, the better the results. No serious side effects happened. These results show NMN supplements are good for energy metabolism.
NMN made the first ventilatory threshold (VT1) and power at the second ventilatory threshold (power@VT2) better.
Higher NMN doses (300, 600, 1200 mg/day) gave stronger effects.
The results were important (p < 0.01).
There were no changes in VO2max or body shape.
No bad side effects were seen.
The table below shows more ways NMN helps men’s health:
| Benefit | Evidence Type | Study Subject | Numerical/Quantitative Evidence | Additional Notes |
| Increased Energy Levels | Clinical studies | Mice and Humans | Up to 80% better stamina and endurance in mice; long-term NMN use raises NAD, helping energy in humans | People say they feel more energy; NAD increase helps the body use energy better |
| Enhanced Metabolism | Human clinical study | Humans | Muscles use insulin better; more genes help the body use sugar | May help fight age-related metabolic problems |
| Increased Libido and Fertility | Animal studies and anecdotal reports | Mice and Humans (anecdotal) | Mice had better fertility; some people say they have a stronger libido | NAD+ may help blood flow, lower swelling, and lower stress, which helps sexual health |
These benefits help men’s reproductive health and show NMN may help men stay healthy.
Aging and Hormonal Balance
NMN also helps men with aging and hormone balance. As men get older, NAD levels go down, which can hurt reproductive and overall health. NMN supplements raise NAD in the blood, liver, and muscles. This helps the body fight aging problems.
Research says NMN can stop biological age from going up. In a 60-day study, men who took NMN did not get older biologically, but the placebo group aged over five years. NMN also helped men walk farther in a test. Men who took more NMN walked longer in the 6-minute walk test.
The table below shows more NMN research results:
| Parameter / Outcome | Numerical Result / Percentage | Description / Context |
| Blood NAD concentration increase | Dose-dependent increase; 600 mg and 900 mg > 300 mg | NMN raised NAD levels in healthy adults over 60 days. |
| Biological age change over 60 days | Placebo: +5.6 years; NMN groups: stable | NMN stopped biological age from rising, while placebo group got older (p<0.05). |
| 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance | Placebo: 330 m; 300 mg: 380 m; 600 mg: 435 m; 900 mg: 480 m | NMN helped men walk farther, and higher doses worked better (p<0.01). |
These results show NMN supplements help with aging and hormone balance. NMN may help men stay active and keep healthy hormone levels as they age.
Safety and Side Effects
NMN Safety Profile
Scientists have checked NMN supplements in people and animals. Most studies say NMN is safe for healthy adults. People took NMN from 100 mg up to 1250 mg each day. They did not have any serious side effects. Blood tests and kidney checks stayed normal. No one had big changes in their body or energy.
The table below lists what recent studies found about safety:
| Study / Dose | Population | Duration | Safety Findings | Adverse Events |
| Irie et al. (2020) | Healthy adults | Single dose | No strange blood or chemistry results | None significant |
| Current study | Healthy adults | 1250 mg daily | Safe, no body side effects, normal kidney function | None significant |
| Yoshino et al. (2021) | Overweight women with prediabetes | 250 mg daily, 10 weeks | Better insulin use, no serious side effects, no body changes | None significant |
| Liao et al. (2021) | Amateur runners | 150–600 mg twice daily, 6 weeks | Better fitness, no serious side effects, no body changes | None significant |
| Animal study (You et al.) | Beagle dogs | 1340 mg daily | Mild kidney effects (higher creatinine) | Mild renal effects |
Most people in human studies did not have any serious side effects. Animal studies showed small kidney changes at very high doses, but this did not happen in people.
Doctors say to start with a low dose and watch for changes. People should talk to a doctor before taking NMN.
Who Should Avoid NMN
Some people should not use NMN supplements. Kids and teens do not need NMN. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take NMN because it has not been tested for them. People with kidney or liver problems should not use NMN. Animal studies showed small kidney effects at high doses, so people with kidney issues should be careful.
People who take medicine for health problems should ask their doctor before using NMN. NMN might change how some medicines work. Anyone allergic to NMN ingredients should not use these supplements.
Key groups who should avoid NMN:
Children and teenagers
Pregnant or breastfeeding women
People with kidney or liver disease
People with allergies to NMN
Anyone taking prescription medicines without medical advice
Tip: Always check with a doctor before starting any new supplement, including NMN. Safety is most important for everyone.
Practical Advice on NMN and Testosterone
Supplementation Tips
Men who want to help their health or try to boost testosterone often look for the best way to use NMN supplements. Studies show that nmn supplementation can safely raise NAD in the body. One clinical trial tested different NMN doses in healthy adults. The study lasted for 60 days and had 80 people. People took either a fake pill or NMN at 300 mg, 600 mg, or 900 mg each day.
| Dose (mg/day) | NAD Increase | Physical Performance | Biological Age | Safety |
| Placebo | No change | No change | Increased | Safe |
| 300 | Significant | Improved | Stable | Safe |
| 600 | Highest | Greatest | Stable | Safe |
| 900 | Highest | Greatest | Stable | Safe |
The best dose for raising NAD and helping physical performance was 600 mg daily. All doses did not cause any serious side effects. Men should begin with a low dose and see how they feel. Taking NMN with food may help the body use it better. People should not think NMN will directly raise testosterone, but it may help with energy and healthy aging.
Tip: Pick NMN supplements from brands you trust. Look for third-party testing to make sure the product is clean and safe.
Consulting a Professional
Before starting any supplement, men should talk to a doctor. Doctors can help decide if NMN supplements are a good choice for each person. They can also check for health problems or medicines that could react with NMN. Some people, like those with kidney or liver disease, should not use NMN supplementation. A doctor can help set safe goals and watch your progress.
Doctors use blood tests to check hormone levels and health. They can also give tips on eating, exercise, and other ways to help testosterone. Men should always use supplements with a healthy lifestyle, not instead of good habits.
Note: Medical advice helps stop side effects and keeps supplement use safe.
Research says NMN does not make testosterone go up in people. Some studies think NMN might help hormones in some cases. Experts say we need more studies to know for sure. People should ask a doctor before using NMN. NMN may help with energy and aging, but talk to a doctor first. Using supplements the right way keeps you healthy.
FAQ
Does NMN directly boost testosterone in men?
NMN does not make testosterone go up right away in men. Most research in people does not show a strong link. NMN can help the body stay healthy, which helps keep hormones balanced.
Can young adults take NMN for hormone health?
Doctors say kids and teens should not use NMN. Young adults with normal hormones do not need NMN. They should eat well and exercise to stay healthy.
Is NMN safe to use with other supplements?
NMN is safe for most healthy adults in studies. People should ask a doctor before using NMN with other supplements. Some mixes can cause effects you do not expect.
How long does it take to see benefits from NMN?
Some people feel more energy or get fitter in a few weeks. Studies usually last from 8 to 12 weeks. Results are different for each person and depend on age and health.
What foods naturally contain NMN?
You can find NMN in foods like broccoli, avocados, cabbage, and edamame. Eating these foods is good for you, but supplements give you more NMN.
