5-Amino-1MQ: Targeting Fat Storage and Aging Through NNMT Inhibition

In the fields of metabolic health, aging, and performance science, researchers have long understood the value of NAD⁺ — a crucial coenzyme that governs everything from cellular repair to mitochondrial function. But only recently have scientists begun to focus on an upstream regulator that may hold even greater influence: NNMT, or nicotinamide N-methyltransferase.

This enzyme, which is frequently elevated in adipose tissue during obesity and age-related metabolic decline, plays a pivotal role in determining how the body handles NAD⁺, stores fat, and regulates energy output. At the forefront of research into NNMT inhibition is a small but potent compound known as 5-Amino-1MQ — and its early results are raising eyebrows in both longevity and metabolic labs worldwide.

Understanding 5-Amino-1MQ and NNMT

5-Amino-1MQ, short for 5-amino-1-methylquinolinium, is a selective small-molecule inhibitor of NNMT. In healthy cells, NNMT acts to methylate nicotinamide, thereby consuming methyl donors and converting potential NAD⁺ precursors into inactive byproducts. When NNMT activity is too high — as is often the case in obesity, aging, and chronic metabolic dysfunction — this diversion causes NAD⁺ levels to fall and cellular energy systems to become less efficient.

By inhibiting NNMT, 5-Amino-1MQ restores the flow of nicotinamide into the NAD⁺ salvage pathway. This preservation of NAD⁺ has downstream effects that include improved mitochondrial function, better fat metabolism, and enhanced insulin signaling. Unlike stimulants or appetite suppressants, 5-Amino-1MQ does not act on the nervous system. Instead, it works at the enzymatic level to promote long-term metabolic correction.

The Research Behind 5-Amino-1MQ

In 2017, a groundbreaking study published in Nature Chemical Biology introduced 5-Amino-1MQ as a potent and selective NNMT inhibitor. Researchers found that its administration led to elevated intracellular NAD⁺ levels, enhanced mitochondrial respiration, and increased fatty acid oxidation across multiple tissue types (PMC: 5826726). These changes were attributed to improved sirtuin activity — particularly SIRT1 and SIRT3 — which are enzymes closely linked to aging, mitochondrial health, and metabolic regulation.

Building on this foundation, a 2022 study evaluated the compound’s effects in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. In that research, animals receiving 5-Amino-1MQ in combination with a reduced-calorie diet lost more fat mass than those on the same diet alone (PMID: 35013352). The treated mice not only experienced reductions in white adipose tissue but also showed significantly improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. These effects suggest that 5-Amino-1MQ may enhance the efficacy of metabolic interventions by improving energy efficiency at the cellular level.

Most recently, a 2024 review published in Frontiers in Aging provided a broader look at NNMT’s role in age-related decline. The authors highlighted how elevated NNMT levels deplete NAD⁺ pools, impair mitochondrial health, and promote oxidative stress — three hallmarks of cellular aging (PMC: 11196770). In the same review, 5-Amino-1MQ was described as a promising tool for laboratory studies focused on fat mass reduction, NAD⁺ preservation, and longevity-supportive metabolic correction.

Why NNMT Inhibition Matters

For researchers studying obesity, insulin resistance, or aging, NNMT has become a highly attractive target. Unlike downstream pathways that address symptoms of metabolic dysfunction, NNMT inhibition tackles a root cause: the inefficient use of NAD⁺ and the buildup of dysfunctional adipose tissue.

What makes 5-Amino-1MQ especially compelling is its ability to support metabolic restoration without introducing stimulant-based side effects or relying on caloric restriction alone. Instead of forcing short-term change, it shifts the cell’s energy balance back toward optimal fuel use, improved redox control, and healthier metabolic rhythm. Whether in obesity models or longevity studies, the compound shows promise in supporting the body’s own regulatory mechanisms.

The research so far suggests that NNMT inhibition could play a key role in addressing metabolic syndrome, age-related insulin decline, and even fatigue caused by impaired mitochondrial output. It may also contribute to improved sirtuin activation, enhanced cellular resilience, and the slowing of biological aging at the molecular level.

A New Frontier in Metabolic and Longevity Research

5-Amino-1MQ offers researchers a precise, well-characterized tool for exploring NNMT’s role in metabolic disorders, NAD⁺ regulation, and energy metabolism. Unlike many experimental compounds that affect broad pathways, it operates on a focused enzyme target with reproducible results in preclinical models.

From fat loss and insulin sensitivity to energy balance and NAD⁺ preservation, 5-Amino-1MQ stands at the intersection of performance, longevity, and metabolic optimization. Its continued study may help unlock new strategies for addressing the root causes of cellular aging and chronic metabolic dysfunction.

Available Now from FluxLabs

FluxLabs supplies 5-Amino-1MQ in 50mg capsules, third-party tested for purity and encapsulated under rigorous lab conditions. Each bottle contains 60 capsules, intended exclusively for research purposes.