Mitsubishi’s NMN Study Reveals Promising Hair Growth Insights

Mitsubishi Corporation Life Sciences has released findings from a groundbreaking study that suggests a potential link between Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation and hair growth. The research, published in the journal Cosmetics, indicates that NMN may enhance hair health by improving the anagen phase, which is crucial for active hair growth.

The study involved 15 healthy Japanese women aged between 40 and 50, who participated in a single-arm, pre-post intervention trial. Over a period of 12 weeks, participants ingested 500 mg of a torula yeast-fermented NMN supplement daily, marking a significant step in exploring NMN’s potential benefits for hair.

Key Findings on Hair Growth

Researchers observed notable improvements in hair metrics, particularly in anagen hair elongation density and hair diameter. The analysis revealed that within three days of shaving, the number of hairs in the anagen phase increased dramatically from 55.9 ± 43.5 hairs/cm² at baseline to 87.7 ± 21.9 hairs/cm² following NMN supplementation. Additionally, terminal hair density saw a significant rise, moving from 38.6 ± 33.7 hairs/cm² to 66.2 ± 15.1 hairs/cm².

While these results suggest a positive impact on hair growth, there was a notable decrease in total hair count, dropping from 190.8 ± 34.0 to 167.9 ± 35.8 hairs/cm². Researchers theorized that this reduction may be linked to seasonal hair loss, as previous studies have indicated fluctuations in hair shedding among Japanese populations, particularly peaking in September due to summer UV damage.

Mechanisms Behind NMN’s Effects

Despite the unexpected decrease in hair count, the researchers emphasized that NMN supplementation could enhance follicle maturation and improve nutrient supply to dermal papilla cells. This enhancement might stimulate the growth of existing terminal hairs, as opposed to generating new vellus hair.

“NMN supplementation could lead to improved hair volume and texture,” the researchers noted, highlighting findings from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis that demonstrated thicker hair shafts and healthier cuticle conditions.

Self-reported assessments via a visual analog scale (VAS) indicated significant improvements in participants’ perceptions of fatigue and gray hair. Other subjective benefits included enhanced hair texture, ease of combing, and overall volume, suggesting a broader impact of NMN on hair health beyond just growth metrics.

In addition, the research indicated that NMN intake was associated with increased levels of metabolites linked to energy metabolism, such as isovalerylcarnitine and creatine. This correlation suggests that NMN may support mitochondrial ATP production, which has implications for hair health, given that mitochondrial dysfunction is often observed in conditions like androgenetic alopecia (AGA).

The study concludes that oral NMN supplementation could represent a promising strategy for maintaining healthy hair. As the research community continues to explore the role of NAD+ and its effects on hair growth and loss prevention, the findings from Mitsubishi Corporation Life Sciences could pave the way for new approaches in hair health management.