Here’s what we’ll cover in this blog post:
- How NAD+ works for healthy aging
- What the study showed
- How this impacts healthy people
When it comes to aging, most of us think of the slow march of time—wrinkles, fatigue, chronic diseases—playing out over decades. But for those with Werner syndrome, a rare genetic condition sometimes called adult progeria, this process is drastically accelerated.
People with Werner syndrome often begin to show signs of aging in their twenties. Many show conditions like heart disease, osteoporosis, and cancer by their thirties or forties.
Now, in an innovative new clinical study published in Aging Cell, researchers explored whether supplementing with NAD+ precursors could slow or even reverse some of these aging-related declines in patients with Werner syndrome, providing a valuable glimpse into how NAD+ addresses aging.
And the results? Nothing short of fascinating.
The Science Behind NAD+ for Healthy Aging
The trial was a 26-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study—a gold standard in clinical research design. Each participant received both
Each participant received both nicotinamide riboside—an NAD+ precursor our body converts to NAD+ after ingesting—and a placebo. This allowed researchers to closely compare the effects within the same individuals.
This wasn’t just about measuring one biomarker. The researchers tracked a wide range of health indicators—from arterial stiffness and kidney function to chronic wound healing and cellular metabolism.
Here are the standout results:
- Arterial stiffness decreased significantly during the NR phase. That’s a big deal, since stiff arteries are a hallmark of cardiovascular aging. It’s also a major risk factor for heart disease.
- Chronic skin ulcers—a common and debilitating symptom in Werner syndrome—got smaller during NR treatment, but worsened during the placebo period.
- Kidney function was also shown to improve. Levels of creatinine (a waste product normally filtered out by the kidneys) dropped, and levels of uremic toxins (which can build up in cases of kidney dysfunction) also decreased.
- A deep dive into the participants’ metabolomic profiles revealed complex shifts in cellular energy metabolism. This suggests NAD+ supplementation might help restore cell health to youthful levels.
- And perhaps just as importantly: there were no serious adverse effects reported, indicating the treatment was well-tolerated.
Because each participant received both the treatment and the placebo at different times, the researchers could watch in near real-time as markers of aging improved with NR and worsened again on placebo.
That’s what makes this study so compelling. It didn’t just show a one-time benefit, but rather a pattern that repeated and reversed, depending on whether participants were actively receiving NAD+ support.
What Does This Mean for the Rest of Us?
Of course, this study focused on a rare genetic condition. But Werner syndrome is often studied precisely because it mirrors many aspects of normal aging—just on a dramatically accelerated timeline. That makes the results particularly interesting to aging researchers and longevity enthusiasts alike.
If boosting NAD+ can improve vascular health, kidney function, wound healing, and metabolic markers in people who are aging at hyperspeed, could it also help support healthy aging in the general population? Other studies indicate that it’s possible.
In fact, a pivotal study from Washington University found that NAD+ plays a major role in several age-related diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s.
This study adds to a growing body of evidence that supports the broad potential of NAD+ as a longevity intervention, suggesting that targeting NAD+ metabolism may slow age-related conditions.
Though scientists need more studies to confirm the true longevity potential of NAD+, you don’t have to wait for more studies to experience NAD+ for yourself. Our dedicated medical team has prescribed NAD+ to tens of thousands of patients, helping patients like you live better, longer. Get started with a free medical intake to get matched with an expert prescriber, who will help you see if NAD+ is right for your health goals.
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Note: The above statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.