Researchers have found a potential new treatment for peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition that affects blood flow to the legs and causes chronic pain, cramping, and difficulty walking.
PAD is caused by fatty deposits building up in the arteries, reducing blood circulation to the legs. Over 8.5 million Americans aged 40 and older are affected by this disease, which worsens over time, making everyday activities more challenging.
In a new study led by scientists from Northwestern University and the University of Florida, a form of vitamin B3 called nicotinamide riboside was found to help people with PAD walk longer distances without pain. This research is especially promising for those who find it difficult to access traditional treatments, like supervised exercise programs.
To ensure reliable results, the researchers conducted a double-blind clinical trial, where neither the participants nor the researchers knew who received the actual supplement and who got a placebo (a fake treatment). This method helps eliminate bias and provides more trustworthy findings.
The study included 90 participants diagnosed with PAD, with an average age of 71. Over six months, those who took nicotinamide riboside every day increased their walking distance by an average of 57 feet more than those who took the placebo. This may not seem like a lot, but for people with PAD, even small improvements in walking ability can make a big difference in daily life.
Nicotinamide riboside is known for its anti-aging properties, with sales in the U.S. reaching $60 million in 2022. It works by boosting levels of a compound called NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), which is crucial for energy production, blood flow improvement, and DNA repair.
Since PAD is linked to reduced energy production in muscle cells, increasing NAD levels may help improve blood flow and muscle function, making it easier for patients to walk without pain.
During the six-minute walking test, participants who took nicotinamide riboside walked an average of 23 feet more after six months. In contrast, those on the placebo lost walking ability, with their distance decreasing by 34 feet. The benefits were even greater for participants who took at least 75% of their prescribed doses, adding more than 100 feet to their walking distance.
The study also explored whether combining nicotinamide riboside with resveratrol—a compound found in red wine known for its health benefits—would improve results. Surprisingly, the combination did not show any additional improvements over nicotinamide riboside alone.
The study’s co-author, Christiaan Leeuwenburgh, Ph.D., from the University of Florida, expressed optimism about the findings. He emphasized that while the initial results are promising, larger studies are needed to confirm the benefits.
Leeuwenburgh and his team, along with Dr. Mary M. McDermott, a PAD expert from Northwestern University, plan to conduct more extensive research to verify the results.
They also hope to test the supplement in healthy older adults to ensure it is both safe and effective. If proven successful, nicotinamide riboside could become a valuable option for managing PAD and even help with general mobility issues in older adults.
The study’s findings are not only promising for people with PAD but could also pave the way for new treatments for age-related health problems. As research continues, there may be more opportunities to use vitamins and supplements to improve health and quality of life as people age.
The full study was published in Nature Communications, adding to the growing body of research on the benefits of nutritional supplements for managing chronic health conditions. This breakthrough shows that a simple vitamin supplement could potentially help millions of people walk farther and live more comfortably.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk, and Vitamin K2 could help reduce heart disease risk.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about how to remove plaques that cause heart attacks, and results showing a new way to prevent heart attacks, strokes.
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