FDA Reverses Course on NMN: A Win for Healthy Aging Advocates
17.10.2025
In a move that has energised the healthy aging community, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reversed its previous stance on nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), once again permitting its sale as a dietary supplement in the U.S.A. This landmark decision marks a significant shift in the regulatory landscape, and offers new hope for those seeking science-backed longevity solutions - and for direct-to-consumer wellness brands like Manapura.

Its re-approval signals a greater openness within the regulatory system to consider supplements not only for deficiency prevention, but also for promoting long-term resilience, cellular repair, and metabolic optimisation.
Why NMN Was Under Fire
NMN, a naturally occurring compound and precursor to NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), has gained widespread attention for its potential in promoting cellular energy, DNA repair, healthy aging, and metabolic health. As interest grew, many supplement brands began offering NMN in capsule and powder form. However, in late 2022, the FDA unexpectedly ruled that NMN could not be marketed within the U.S.A. as a dietary supplement because it was under investigation for it’s widespread benefits for use as a pharmaceutical drug.
This classification - called an "IND" or Investigational New Drug exclusion - stemmed from the timing of NMN’s inclusion in clinical trials as a helpful drug. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, if a substance is first investigated as a drug before being marketed as a supplement, it cannot later be sold as a dietary supplement within the U.S.A.
This caught many in the industry off guard. NMN had been sold widely and safely for years all around the world, and the FDA’s sudden reversal left both U.S. consumers and sellers scrambling. Brands were forced to pull NMN products from the U.S.A. market or risk enforcement action.
The Pushback from Industry and Consumers
The FDA’s decision sparked immediate backlash from scientists, longevity researchers, and supplement companies alike. Notably, organisations such as the Natural Products Association (NPA) launched petitions and legal challenges arguing that NMN had already been marketed as a supplement in the U.S.A. before the drug investigations began.
A wave of consumer support emerged as well. Thousands of health-conscious individuals expressed frustration, noting that NMN had shown a strong safety profile, promising research, and zero history of adverse events. For many, NMN represented an accessible and non-pharmaceutical tool for optimising long-term health.
The tension mounted for over a year, with U.S. NMN brands shifting sales offshore or temporarily halting production. In the meantime, international companies were able to continue supplying the U.S. market through direct-to-consumer (DTC) e-commerce models.
The Reversal: NMN Once Again Allowed
In October 2025, the FDA formally reversed its decision, reinstating NMN’s eligibility as a dietary supplement in the U.S.A. In a statement, the agency acknowledged that sufficient evidence had been presented to show NMN had indeed been marketed as a supplement prior to drug trials - satisfying the key legal requirement under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA).
The updated ruling affirms that NMN can be legally sold in the U.S. as a dietary ingredient, subject to standard Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), labeling requirements, and safety assessments. This opens the door once more for American consumers to access NMN via trusted brands – such as Manapura.

Why This Matters for the Longevity Movement
The FDA’s decision represents more than just a policy reversal - it’s a validation of the consumer-driven movement toward proactive, longevity-focused wellness. NMN, alongside compounds like Trans-Resveratrol and Spermidine, is part of a growing class of “healthy aging” supplements backed by a wave of emerging evidence.
Its re-approval signals a greater openness within the regulatory system to consider supplements not only for deficiency prevention, but also for promoting long-term resilience, cellular repair, and metabolic optimisation.
The move also shows the power of collective industry advocacy. By banding together and citing both scientific data and market history, brands and consumers alike were able to influence policy at the highest level.
What This Means for Manapura and U.S. Consumers
For Manapura - a UK-based longevity brand known for ultra-pure, pharmaceutical-grade NMN - this announcement is very welcome news. With its existing infrastructure for direct-to-consumer fulfilment to the U.S., Manapura is ideally positioned to serve American consumers now that regulatory clarity has returned.
Now, with the FDA reinstating NMN’s legal status, U.S. customers can enjoy this amazing product with extreme confidence - and with the backing of brands that prioritise science, quality, and transparency.
What Does It Mean for UK and EU Consumers?
With over a decade of human trials and regulatory clearance in the US, NMN now stands among the most scientifically validated longevity supplements available.
A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN NMN’S SAFETY
After years of review, the FDA found no safety concerns that warrant restriction on NMN. That’s meaningful - the agency is among the world’s strictest regulators, so its recognition reinforces what research has long shown - NMN is a safe, well-tolerated precursor to NAD⁺.
A SIGNAL THAT THE SCIENCE IS MATURE
Over a decade of human trials has demonstrated NMN’s benefits for:
- NAD⁺ restoration and mitochondrial function.
- Energy metabolism and muscle performance.
- Healthy ageing and cognitive support.
GLOBAL REASSURANCE FOR CONSUMERS
While the ruling only applies in the US, it sets a positive precedent internationally. European regulators tend to align with FDA standards over time, meaning greater transparency and availability of NMN supplements across trusted brands.

Why Choose Manapura
Unlike a lot of NMN on the market today which is chemically made, Manapura's NMN is produced by using patented Enzymatic Synthesis technology. This more natural method leads solely to the production of the form of NMN used in our bodies, making Manapura NMN more potent and bio-active.
Not only this, but each batch of Manapura NMN is third-party tested at accredited laboratories, and is manufactured in the UK under strict GMP standards. Manapura’s current batch tests at an unbeatable 99.97% purity. And unlike many sub-standard products, Manapura’s NMN is fully traceable and labelled in compliance with local supplement guidelines.
Final Thoughts
For those already using NMN - or exploring it for the first time - the FDA’s decision underscores its credibility.
The reinstatement of NMN as a legal dietary supplement in the USA is a major win for health freedom, scientific progress, and the growing longevity community. It not only restores consumer access to a safe and promising compound, but also sets a precedent for how natural products with therapeutic potential can coexist with pharmaceutical research. Evidence is catching up with belief - and NMN is here to stay.
As we look ahead, it’s clear that the line between supplements and medicines will continue to blur - making regulatory clarity all the more important. For now, those committed to healthy aging have reason to celebrate. And for brands like Manapura, it’s an opportunity to continue raising the bar on quality, education, and evidence-based wellness.
Explore Manapura’s unbeatable third-party tested NMN and other longevity essentials at www.manapura.co - delivered to your door, with compliance and quality at the core.