If you used to pick up your nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplements from your local specialty vitamin shop, you may have noticed that in 2023, they seemed to disappear off the shelves.
Don't worry — it wasn't due to safety concerns or illegal activity but rather because of NMN's potential to be classified as a drug.
NMN supplements became so popular because of the research supporting their ability to support NAD+ levels. This is especially exciting in longevity sciences, which study ways to slow the natural aging process.
NMN still isn't approved for anti-aging or metabolic disorders, and it's not entirely removed from the supplement market. You can still find NMN supplements if you know where to look — albeit under the radar because it is still technically legal.
The Timeline of NMN Supplements on The Market
- Early 2010s: NMN gained popularity in the scientific community due to its potential to support NAD+ levels and longevity.
- 2019: NMN hits the market as a dietary supplement, widely available online and in specialty supplement stores.
- 2021: Research on animals and in vivo shows NMN’s benefits for NAD+ levels, sparking interest from pharmaceutical drug companies.
- November 2022: The FDA begins investigating NMN's status as a new dietary ingredient (NDI) due to its growing use and the potential for drug classification.
- Early 2023: NMN is removed from the market as the FDA considers it for drug classification, largely due to its promising anti-aging research.
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Mid-2023: The Natural Products Association (NPA) and the Alliance for Natural Health USA asked the FDA to keep NMN classified as a dietary supplement and stop enforcing its sale ban. However, the FDA didn't decide within 180 days.
So, what happened?
The FDA's decision (or lack thereof) had a major impact on the NMN market, causing it to be banned from platforms like Amazon.
The Alliance for Natural Health USA was disappointed, claiming that the FDA is siding with drug companies instead of supporting businesses that make affordable health supplements. There's some news suggesting that a lawsuit might be needed to challenge the FDA's decision on recategorizing NMN as a dietary supplement again.
Why Did the FDA Ban NMN?
The Food and Drug Administration has very strict rules on what constitutes as a dietary supplement versus a drug to protect consumers.
Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) was first available as a dietary supplement for supporting NAD+ levels, which is particularly important as we age since our natural NAD+ levels decline.
The real turning point for NMN came when pharmaceutical companies began to explore NMN's potential as a drug. The research surrounding NMN and its effects on NAD+ levels caught the attention of these companies, leading to the possibility of NMN being classified as a drug. This potential reclassification would mean that its sale as a supplement could conflict with future drug patents, and this played into the FDA's decision to remove NMN from the shelves.
Has the FDA Ever Approved NMN?
No, the FDA has never approved NMN as a drug or dietary supplement, despite some claims circulating online. The confusion about NMN's FDA approval may have come from ongoing research and interest in its drug potential, but as of now, NMN remains unapproved for any specific health claims.
Does Amazon Sell NMN?
Since the unofficial ban in late 2022 and into 2023, NMN, for the most part, disappeared from mainstream retailers like Amazon.
However, NAD+ supplements serve a similar function but are still available. These supplements are often marketed as alternatives to NMN. A viral example of this is nicotinamide riboside (NR), which is another precursor to NAD+.
The shift has pushed NMN into a more niche market, where it’s sold quietly by specialty retailers.
NMN Updated News & Current Legal Status
NMN's legal status is currently in a gray area.
While it isn't classified as illegal, its availability has been restricted because of its potential classification as a drug as it undergoes further clinical trials.
This reclassification is still under review, meaning NMN isn’t outright banned, but its sale is heavily monitored. Given the evolving situation, we like to stay on top of these things. As a supplement company, we remain committed to updating our customers with the latest news regarding NMN and its availability.
Despite the recent challenges surrounding NMN, Neurogan Health still offers NMN supplements in various formats such as NMN capsules, tablets, and tinctures drops.
At Neurogan Health, we believe in transparency and are upfront that NMN's status lives somewhere between an investigated drug and a health supplement.
Our NMN products are carefully formulated to stay within safe dosage limits, we recommend taking anywhere around 450mg of nmn a day. This ensures you receive a product that supports your wellness goals without compromising quality or safety.
We know the NMN supplements situation can be confusing, but we’re here to help you stay informed.
Through our blog, we'll keep you in the loop with any updates about NMN and its availability. Things might be uncertain right now, but you can count on us to monitor the situation and share the latest news.
