Peripheral artery disease, often called PAD, affects millions of people around the world. It happens when the blood vessels that carry blood to the legs become narrow or blocked. This usually occurs because fatty material builds up inside the arteries over many years.
When the arteries become tight, less blood can reach the leg muscles. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients that muscles need to work properly. Without enough blood, the muscles cannot perform well, especially during physical activity such as walking.
For many people with PAD, even a short walk can cause pain, cramping, or a heavy feeling in the legs. This discomfort often forces them to stop and rest. Over time, this can greatly reduce a person’s ability to stay active.
PAD is especially common in older adults. In the United States alone, more than 8.5 million people over the age of 40 are living with this condition. Because the disease limits movement, it can also reduce independence and quality of life.
Doctors usually recommend supervised exercise programs for people with PAD. These programs often focus on regular walking sessions guided by health professionals. Research has shown that structured walking can improve blood flow and help people walk longer before feeling pain.
However, many patients do not have easy access to these programs. Some live far from medical centers. Others may not be able to attend regular sessions because of cost, time, or transportation problems. This has led scientists to search for other ways to help people manage PAD more easily.
A new study by researchers from Northwestern University and the University of Florida has offered fresh hope. The team studied a supplement called nicotinamide riboside. This supplement is a form of vitamin B3.
It has become popular in recent years because some people believe it may slow aging and improve energy levels. In fact, sales of nicotinamide riboside in the United States reached about 60 million dollars in 2022.
In the study, 90 people with PAD took part. Most of them were about 71 years old. Participants were randomly assigned to take either nicotinamide riboside or a placebo pill that looked the same but had no active ingredient.
Neither the participants nor the researchers knew who was receiving the real supplement during the six-month study period. This type of research design is known as a double-blind study, and it helps ensure that the results are fair and not influenced by expectations.
After six months, the researchers measured how far participants could walk. On average, those who took nicotinamide riboside were able to walk 57 feet farther than those who took the placebo.
In a six-minute walking test, people in the supplement group improved their distance by 23 feet. In contrast, the placebo group walked 34 feet less than they had at the beginning of the study. Even more encouraging, participants who took at least 75 percent of their assigned pills improved their walking distance by more than 100 feet.
The supplement appears to work by increasing levels of a natural substance in the body called NAD. NAD plays an important role in producing energy inside cells and helping cells repair damage.
As people age, NAD levels tend to fall. Lower NAD levels may reduce the ability of muscles to generate energy. In people with PAD, whose leg muscles already struggle because of limited blood flow, boosting NAD levels may help muscles work more efficiently.
The researchers also tested whether combining nicotinamide riboside with another popular compound called resveratrol would improve results. Resveratrol is found in red wine and has been widely discussed for its possible health benefits. However, adding resveratrol did not provide extra improvement beyond nicotinamide riboside alone.
The findings were published in a peer-reviewed medical journal. Professor Christiaan Leeuwenburgh from the University of Florida, one of the study leaders, said the results are promising but emphasized that larger studies are still needed. Bigger trials will help confirm whether the supplement is both effective and safe for long-term use.
Dr. Mary McDermott, a PAD specialist at Northwestern University who also worked on the study, said the team hopes to explore whether the supplement could also help healthy older adults maintain mobility as they age.
This research offers new hope for people living with PAD. If future studies confirm these results, a simple daily supplement could become an easy and affordable way to improve walking ability and independence.
While more evidence is needed, the study suggests that supporting the body’s natural energy systems may be one way to help aging muscles stay stronger and more active.
If you care about muscle, please read studies about factors that can cause muscle weakness in older people, and scientists find a way to reverse high blood sugar and muscle loss.
For more health information, please see recent studies about an easy, cheap way to maintain muscles, and results showing these vegetables essential for your muscle strength.
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