Healthy aging: do you know NMN?

Updated on 2026-05-26

Summary: Healthy aging: do you know NMN?

Samuel Glaude and Lynn Goneau talk about NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide), an increasingly popular supplement to support healthy longevity. Lynn reminds us that the goal is not only to live longer, but above all to preserve autonomy, energy and vitality - the so-called health span.

She explains that NMN helps the body produce NAD, a molecule essential for cellular energy and repair, levels of which naturally decline with age. This decline is associated with several markers of aging, such as fatigue and certain metabolic disorders. NMN could therefore offer interesting support for energy, muscle function and metabolism, but it doesn't replace the basics: eating well, moving, getting enough sleep and managing stress. Lynn also stresses the importance of choosing a quality product and seeking advice from a health professional if you have a medical condition or are taking medication.

The conclusion: we don't just want to add years to life, we want to add life to years.

1) Live long... but especially healthy

The discussion turns to health span Maintaining energy, mobility and independence for as long as possible. Basic habits remain essential: natural diet, physical activity, sleep and stress management.

2) The role of NMN in cellular energy

NMN is a molecule naturally present in the body which is used to produce NAD, essential for energy and cell repair. As NAD decreases with age, NMN may help support vitality and certain functions associated with aging.

3) Support, not a quick fix

NMN can be an interesting addition to an overall health approach, but it does not replace good lifestyle habits. Lynn recommends focus on quality products and to be cautious, consulting a professional when necessary.

About the author

Lynn Goneau, Certified Naturopath

Specialized in :

• Digestive health
• Hormonal health
• Stress and fatigue
• Memory and concentration
• Weight management

Transcription

Samuel Glaude - Host 104.7FM:

Do we want to live longer? I think the answer we're always going to get is yes, but it's important. If we're going to live longer, it's not just about living. It's also about being healthy, being in good health for all that time. So, how do you go about living longer, yes, but also being healthy while you're living longer, it would seem that something called NMN or nicotinamide mononucleotide. Now that's a nasty tongue twister. And we're talking about it today with naturopath Lynn Goneau of La Boite à Grains. Hello Lynn.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Hi, Sam. I have a question for you. Listen, do you want to live to 90, but tired, slowed down and in pain, or maybe live a little shorter, but in great shape?

Samuel Glaude - Host 104.7FM:

Of course, I'd like to be in great shape. Do my activities for the rest of my life and my life will move and I hope it will move until I'm at least 80.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

And that's called health span. So the years when you're active, independent and energetic, because living a long life is great, but living healthy is even better.

Samuel Glaude - Host 104.7FM:

Okay, but in concrete terms, what do we need to do to age well, but above all in good health, that's what's important.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

It's not really that complicated. The basics are always the same. Eat well, then transform less more naturally, move regularly, sleep well and of course manage stress. That's the essential foundation.

Samuel Glaude - Host 104.7FM:

And we talk about it a lot. There are lots of studies on the Internet saying that the less stressed you are, the better off you are. It's going to be for our quality of life or but there are also supplements that are targeted to support that too, that foundation there and there's a lot of talk about it more and more the NMN. So what is it?

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

In fact, NMN is a molecule naturally present in our body. Its main role is to act as a fuel for the production of NAD.

Samuel Glaude - Host 104.7FM:

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

NAD is the conductor of your cells. It coordinates your body's energy production and repair. Simply put, NMN produces NAD.

Samuel Glaude - Host 104.7FM:

Ok.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Because NAD is so vital. And the problem is that its level in the body decreases with age, by about half every 20 years. So the drop is associated with cardiovascular disease, type two diabetes, and what scientists call markers of aging.

Samuel Glaude - Host 104.7FM:

Yes, now you tell me that, it cuts in half every 20 years. It makes sense of all the illnesses you've given me. And all the problems you've given me, which we mostly see later in life. So why should we take extra NMN?

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

It's a form of vitamin D3 that helps you produce your NAD. Okay, which is like the cells' battery. The benefits, obviously reported, include better energy, improved muscle function, then metabolic support.

Samuel Glaude - Host 104.7FM:

It's a bit like what you said about the battery, it provides a bit of that energy in the long term, a bit like my car, where it's important that it's well charged too. And then especially in more difficult times, like winter.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Exactly, because imagine your car in the middle of February in Quebec where it's minus 30. You forgot to start it for three days. And now it won't start because the battery's dead. It's a bit like that with your body. As we age, our cell's battery diminishes. And that can make you feel more tired, less efficient. Recovery is even slower.

Samuel Glaude - Host 104.7FM:

Are you telling me that a constant winter is going to be my body when I get older?

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Well, it could. So that's why NMN is like giving a little push to help our battery recharge better.

Samuel Glaude - Host 104.7FM:

Ah ok, I understand like that. I don't live a constant winter at minus 30 with me unloaded. We prefer it a little heavier. Well, does it really work?

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

There are human studies showing that NMN can increase NAD levels, as we said earlier, and support certain functions such as energy and vitality. We're obviously talking about an interesting tool, but it's not magic. It's also important to get the basics right, eat well, move around and manage stress, as we said earlier.

Samuel Glaude - Host 104.7FM:

And when you take a supplement, well, at least that adds up.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Yes, we've got the right base, but we've also made some small additions that allow us to be even better.

Samuel Glaude - Host 104.7FM:

Can anyone have some Lynn? 

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Well, actually, anyone can take them, but it's always important to be cautious if you have any medical conditions or if you're taking any medication, it's a good idea to consult your pharmacist or doctor because we really want to age intelligently in good health. We don't just want to add years to our lives. We want to add life to our years.

Samuel Glaude - Host 104.7FM:

Right. And if we want to try that, what can we do?

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

It's super important to choose a quality product. So, for example, NMN from Natural Factors, that's the one I chose because it's a Canadian company that's known for their longevity formula that contains active NMN. So, to support your cells' energy, I chose it because of its quality.