Mitsubishi Corporation Life Sciences (MCLS) has unveiled significant findings related to NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) and cysteine peptides at a recent event, highlighting their potential benefits for hair and skin health.
The company reported that NMN is associated with increased levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), which is believed to contribute to healthy aging. MCLS noted that NMN supplements might improve red blood cell parameters, enhance motor function, aid muscle recovery, and possess anti-inflammatory properties.
In Japan, NMN has become a highly sought-after supplement, evidenced by more than 4,000 listings on the e-commerce platform Rakuten. It is also permitted in Foods with Function Claims (FFC) in Japan, with examples including NMN (Assist Walk) by MCLS, which claims to maintain walking ability, and Assist NMN 360 by Kobayashi Perfumery Co. Ltd., which claims to improve sleep quality and assistance with walking speed for older adults.
NMN’s Benefits for Hair Health
MCLS has also highlighted new research indicating that NMN may improve hair diameter, thickness, and overall condition. In a 12-week clinical trial involving 15 women aged 40 to 50, participants taking 500mg of NMN daily exhibited significant improvements in hair growth parameters, including hair diameter and anagen hair elongation density.
Yosuke Morita from MCLS’s Nutrition Business Division discussed the company’s focus on NMN for hair health, which stemmed from positive consumer feedback on its product NMN fáinə. He noted that users reported subjective improvements in hair condition, prompting the decision to conduct further studies to validate these effects.
Given the clinical findings, some companies have begun developing NMN products specifically targeting hair health. Morita added that NMN remains a popular ingredient among Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) companies in Japan, where it has ranked highly among functional ingredients.
Beyond the Japanese market, MCLS is already selling NMN in Southeast Asia and aims to launch products in the United States next year.
Cysteine Peptides for Skin Brightening
At the exhibit, MCLS also presented findings related to its cysteine peptides, which are being explored as an alternative to glutathione for skin health. A five-week clinical trial with 90 adults showed that daily supplementation with 48mg of cysteine peptides significantly reduced UV-B-induced erythema and pigmentation.
While glutathione is well-known for its skin-brightening effects, it is classified as a pharmaceutical ingredient in Japan, restricting its use in food supplements. Morita emphasized the need for alternatives like cysteine peptides, which have already received functionality claims under Japan’s FFC system that affirm their antioxidant properties and protective effects against UV damage.
MCLS aims to leverage these findings to further attract interest from the nutraceutical industry and expand its range of health-related products.
