Mitsubishi Corporation Life Sciences Reveals NMN’s Impact on Hair Growth

Research conducted by Mitsubishi Corporation Life Sciences has unveiled promising findings regarding the impact of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation on hair growth, as detailed in the journal Cosmetics. The study highlights significant improvements in hair length during the anagen phase, contradicting initial hypotheses regarding total hair count.

A total of 15 healthy Japanese women, aged between 40 and 50 years, participated in this single-arm, pre-post intervention study. Participants ingested 500 mg of a torula yeast-fermented NMN supplement daily for a duration of 12 weeks, coinciding with the period from September 12 to December 5, 2022. Researchers employed various methods to assess hair health, including TrichoScan analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging, and self-administered questionnaires.

Key Findings on Hair Growth

The researchers reported a noteworthy increase in anagen hair elongation density, indicating enhanced hair growth. Specifically, three days post-shaving, the density increased significantly from 55.9 ± 43.5 hairs/cm² at baseline to 87.7 ± 21.9 hairs/cm² after NMN supplementation. Similarly, terminal hair density rose from 38.6 ± 33.7 hairs/cm² to 66.2 ± 15.1 hairs/cm². Terminal hair, defined as hair with a diameter of at least 40 μm, plays a crucial role in overall hair thickness and health.

Additionally, the mean hair diameter increased from 75.3 ± 7.6 μm at baseline to 78.8 ± 9.7 μm post-supplementation. However, total hair density showed a significant decline, dropping from 190.8 ± 34.0 hairs/cm² to 167.9 ± 35.8 hairs/cm². The researchers noted, “Contrary to our hypothesis, a significant decrease in hair count was observed after taking NMN.” They speculate that this reduction may relate to seasonal hair loss, which is common in Japan, particularly during the late summer months.

Implications for Hair Health

Despite the reduction in total hair count, the findings suggest that NMN supplementation may foster follicle maturation and enhance nutrient delivery to dermal papilla cells, ultimately promoting the growth of existing terminal hairs rather than generating new vellus hair. The researchers remarked, “This could lead to improved hair volume and texture through strengthening and thickening existing hair.”

SEM analysis corroborated these findings, displaying thicker hair shafts and improved cuticle conditions, consistent with observations from TrichoScan. Participants also reported subjective improvements in hair-related issues, including fatigue, gray hair perception, and overall hair quality, as indicated by a visual analog scale questionnaire.

In addition to hair growth, NMN intake was linked to increases in metabolites associated with energy metabolism, such as isovalerylcarnitine, creatine, and leucine. These findings suggest that NMN may bolster mitochondrial ATP production and amino acid metabolism, both of which are significant for hair health. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in conditions like androgenetic alopecia (AGA).

The researchers concluded that NMN’s role in enhancing the sirtuin pathway and mitochondrial function could be pivotal for promoting hair growth and preventing hair loss. They posited that oral NMN supplementation may represent a viable strategy for maintaining healthy hair.