PMID-29599478 – NR Supplementation in Healthy Middle-Aged and Older Adults
Martens CR, Denman BA, Mazzo MR, Brber PJ, Seals DR. Chronic nicotinamide riboside supplementation is well-tolerated and elevates NAD+ in healthy middle-aged and older adults. Nature Communications. 2018;9(1):1286.
Quick Reference
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| PMID | 29599478 |
| DOI | 10.1038/s41467-018-03421-7 |
| Year | 2018 |
| Journal | Nature Communications |
| Study Type | RCT (crossover) |
| Evidence Level | II |
| Sample | 24 healthy adults aged 55-79, 6 weeks |
| Peptide(s) Studied | NAD+ |
Key Findings
- NR 1000 mg/day was well-tolerated with no serious adverse events in older adults
- NR supplementation effectively elevated NAD+ metabolism in peripheral blood mononuclear cells
- Trends toward reduced systolic blood pressure and aortic stiffness, though not statistically significant in this small sample
Study Design
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Twenty-four healthy, lean adults aged 55-79 received NR 500 mg twice daily (1000 mg/day) or placebo for 6 weeks per arm with a 2-week washout. Outcomes included NAD+ metabolite levels, blood pressure, and arterial stiffness.
Limitations
- Small sample size (n=24) underpowered for cardiovascular endpoints
- Short duration (6 weeks) may be insufficient to observe clinical vascular benefits
Clinical Relevance
First clinical trial of NR in older adults, establishing safety and confirming NAD+ elevation, providing a foundation for larger cardiovascular and aging outcome trials.
Related
#research #RCT #evidence-level-II