By: Amber L., Reagan F., Angela L.
Year: 2023
School: St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
Grade: 9
Science Teacher: Andrea Chou
In the pursuit of defying the inevitability of aging, scientists continuously seek innovative solutions to extend human lifespan and improve overall well-being. Among the promising candidates in this quest is Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN), a molecule touted for its potential to reverse aging effects at the cellular level. This award-winning OCSEF science project conducted by a group of determined students delved into the effects of NMN on the youthfulness parameters of adults over the age of 40, offering intriguing insights into the realm of anti-aging supplements.
The experiment set out to explore the effects of NMN supplementation on subjective perceptions of youthfulness among adults aged 35 and above. Fifteen participants were enlisted to take 250mg of NMN daily for a duration of three months. Regular evaluations were conducted through a ten-question questionnaire, focusing on various aspects associated with youthfulness, such as stamina, health, happiness, curiosity, and memory retention. These assessments provided subjective feedback on the impact of NMN intake over time.
The hypothesis proposing that NMN intake over three months would lead to subjective improvements in youthfulness parameters found support within the data. The conversion of NMN to Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+), a crucial molecule involved in cellular integrity maintenance, aligns with the observed trends in participant feedback.
The preliminary findings of the study indicated a promising correlation between daily NMN consumption and enhancements in subjective measures of youthfulness. Participants reported improvements in various parameters, suggesting a potential rejuvenating effect attributed to NMN supplementation. However, it’s important to note that the study’s short duration and limited sample size warrant further investigation to draw definitive conclusions.
Key Observations:
- Graphical representations showcased an upward trend in subjective youthfulness ratings among both male and female subjects compared to control groups.
- Participants exhibited a greater increase in feelings of youthfulness per week when supplemented with NMN compared to controls.
- Statistical analysis revealed higher t-scores in the subjective youthfulness ratings of NMN-supplemented individuals versus controls.
In conclusion, the findings of this science project suggest a potential role for NMN in enhancing subjective perceptions of youthfulness among adults over the age of 40. While the results are promising, further research with extended durations and larger sample sizes is imperative to validate these initial observations. The exploration of NMN’s anti-aging properties opens new avenues for understanding cellular mechanisms underlying aging and offers hope for prolonging human vitality in the years to come.