A recent double-blind, randomized clinical trial has shown that nicotinamide riboside (NR), a precursor to NAD+, can significantly improve walking performance in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD, which results from reduced oxygen delivery to the muscles in the lower extremities, leads to oxidative stress, muscle damage, and impaired mitochondrial function, severely limiting mobility.
NAD+ is crucial for mitochondrial respiration and cellular repair. Preclinical studies indicate that NAD+ enhances nitric oxide production, reduces oxidative stress, and improves both mitochondrial and endothelial function. In this trial with 90 PAD patients, NR supplementation significantly improved walking distance by up to 31 meters, especially in patients with strong adherence to the regimen, showing effects comparable to supervised exercise.
These findings suggest NR may serve as an effective, non-invasive intervention for improving mobility and muscle health in PAD patients. Further studies could confirm its potential in larger cohorts.
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