Research has shown that NMN helps protect from ischemia[9], a result of insufficient blood flow in any area of the body. Typically, the body defends itself from ischemia via ischemic preconditioning (IPC)[10]. IPC stimulates SIRT1, which is an NAD+ dependent sirtuin[9], which helps move blood throughout the body. Because NMN activates SIRT1, then, it has the ability to mimic IPC, and thus is capable of protecting the heart from ischemia and reperfusion[9]!