In Silicon Valley, managers have long been taking it for breakfast. Now the trend has reached the dog bowl: Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN). It is supposed to boost energy, repair DNA, and slow down aging. But what is really behind it?

Is your dog "just old" or is his cellular battery empty? This is the central question of modern biogerontology. Often we accept that our senior dogs sleep 20 hours a day and no longer want to play. We call it "age". Science calls it "NAD+ deficiency". And the good news is: This deficiency can be fixed.

The Science: The Empty Battery (NAD+)

Every single cell in your dog's body needs energy to function. This energy is produced in the mitochondria (the power plants). The fuel for this is a molecule called NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide).

The problem: With age, the body's own NAD+ production drops dramatically. A 10-year-old dog has only about half as much NAD+ available as a puppy. The consequences:

  • The mitochondria run on low flame (fatigue, lethargy).
  • DNA repair mechanisms (PARPs) no longer work properly (risk of cancer increases).
  • Metabolism slows down (obesity).

NMN as a "Recharger"

You cannot simply feed NAD+ because the molecule is too large to enter the cells. This is where NMN comes into play. It is the direct precursor. The dog eats NMN, it is absorbed in the intestine, transported into the cells, and converted there into fresh NAD+.

Studies (including those by Harvard professor David Sinclair) show that old mice given NMN developed endurance and blood values comparable to young animals within weeks. First clinical observations in dogs confirm increased vitality, better cognitive function ("dementia"), and more joy of movement.

Dosage & Safety

Is NMN safe for dogs? Yes. Current studies show no severe side effects even at higher doses. However, quality is crucial. Low-quality NMN can be contaminated with heavy metals or lose its effectiveness due to poor storage (heat).

Dosage Recommendation: As a rough guideline, longevity experts recommend approx. 10-20 mg per kg of body weight per day. It is best administered in the morning mixed with food, as NMN can have an activating effect and influence the circadian rhythm.

Conclusion

NMN is not a magic pill that makes a 15-year-old dog a puppy again. But it is one of the most potent tools we currently have to influence the biological cause of aging (loss of energy). For owners who want to give their senior dog more "quality of life" and alertness, it is definitely worth a try.