Impacts of Nicotinamide Riboside on Functional Capacity and Muscle Physiology in Older Veterans

What Was Tested

This registered not phased trial tested NAD+.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a critical co-factor needed for many cellular processes.

The natural levels of NAD decline aging and this has been linked to physical performance decline in animals.

It had two arms (groups): NR Supplementation (experimental) and Placebo supplementation (placebo comparator).

Participants in this group will receive placebo given as 2 pills in the morning and 2 pills at night. Placebo pills contain micro cellulose which is likewise found in NR containing capsules.

The registry classes the interventions as dietary supplement and other.

More on the Plan

Restoration of cellular NAD+ levels is gaining support as a therapeutic strategy to maintain and even enhance functional capacity during aging.

Nicotinamide riboside (NR) - an NAD+ precursor - enhances physical activity and mitochondrial health in mice.

Therefore, the goal of this project is to establish a double-blind randomized control trial to assess the impacts of NR on functional capacity, muscle function and structure, and mRNA signaling in healthy older adults.

Towards this goal, this study will investigate healthy older individuals between the ages of 65 and 85 who will receive NR or a placebo for a period of 3 months.

Who Took Part

74 actual participants took part.

It was open to people of any sex aged from 65 years up to 85 years.

Healthy volunteers could join, not only people with the condition.

Examples of who could join: Male or female. Ability to use an exercise bike. Medically cleared for muscle biopsy.

The full record lists 5 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria; among the exclusions: severe co-morbidity; examples include, but not limited to:; congestive heart failure class equal to or above iii.

How the Study Was Run

It was run as a randomized, parallel-group and triple-blind study.

Because people in this NAD+ study were split into groups at random, differences between the groups are less likely to reflect who happened to join each one.

Groups ran in parallel: each of the participants stayed in one arm throughout.

As a double-blind NAD+ study, the assignments were hidden from both participants and investigators until the end.

Those kept unaware of assignments: participant, care provider and investigator.

It started in 2023-09-01 with completion listed for 2026-03-31.

It ran at 1 site in United States.

Its stated primary purpose is supportive care.

What Was Measured

Primary outcome: Sub-maximal oxygen uptake test (VO2max) (time frame: Change from baseline to endpoint at 12 weeks). Muscle strength (time frame: Change from baseline to endpoint at 12 weeks). Gait speed (time frame: Change from baseline to endpoint at 12 weeks).

It also tracked 9 secondary outcomes, for example Frailty assessment, Short Physical Performance Battery, Quality of life assessment, Cognitive screen, Serum inflammatory biomarkers and Body Composition (Lean and fat mass).

What This Means in Plain Language

Put simply, this is a not phased, randomized trial of NAD+ in 74 people.

Its status is active not recruiting; no results are posted to the registry yet, so nothing here describes outcomes.

More context: the NAD+ compound page, all human trials.