Peripheral artery disease, often called PAD, is a common condition that affects millions of people around the world. It develops when the arteries that carry blood to the legs become narrow or blocked.
In most cases, this happens because fatty deposits slowly build up inside the blood vessels over many years. As the arteries become narrower, less blood can reach the muscles in the legs.
Blood is essential because it carries oxygen and nutrients that muscles need to produce energy and work properly. When leg muscles do not receive enough blood, they struggle to keep up during physical activity. This is why many people with PAD develop pain, cramping, weakness, or a heavy feeling in their legs when they walk.
The discomfort often improves after resting for a few minutes. However, it usually returns once the person starts walking again. Over time, this cycle can make people less active and less independent. Many patients find it difficult to do everyday activities such as shopping, walking around their neighborhood, or spending time outdoors.
PAD is especially common among older adults. In the United States, more than 8.5 million people over the age of 40 are living with the condition. Because PAD limits mobility, it can greatly affect quality of life.
The condition is also linked to a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes because the same process that blocks arteries in the legs can also affect blood vessels in other parts of the body.
Doctors usually recommend supervised exercise programs for people with PAD. These programs often involve regular walking sessions guided by healthcare professionals. Research has shown that structured exercise can improve blood flow and help people gradually walk longer distances before pain begins.
However, these programs are not always easy to access. Some patients live far from medical centers that offer supervised exercise therapy. Others may face barriers such as transportation problems, busy schedules, or treatment costs. Because of these challenges, scientists have been searching for additional ways to help people with PAD improve their mobility.
A new study by researchers from Northwestern University and the University of Florida has offered some encouraging results. The researchers examined a supplement called nicotinamide riboside, which is a form of vitamin B3.
In recent years, nicotinamide riboside has become increasingly popular. Some people believe it may help slow the effects of aging and improve energy levels. Interest in the supplement has grown quickly, and sales in the United States reached about 60 million dollars in 2022.
The study included 90 people with PAD. Most of the participants were around 71 years old. The researchers randomly assigned participants to receive either nicotinamide riboside or a placebo pill that looked identical but contained no active ingredient.
Neither the participants nor the researchers knew who was receiving the real supplement during the six-month study. This type of study design is called a double-blind trial. It is considered one of the most reliable ways to test whether a treatment truly works because it reduces the chance that expectations influence the results.
After six months, the researchers measured how far participants could walk. On average, people who took nicotinamide riboside were able to walk 57 feet farther than those who took the placebo.
The findings became even more interesting during a six-minute walking test. Participants taking the supplement increased their walking distance by about 23 feet. In contrast, the placebo group walked about 34 feet less than they did at the start of the study.
Among participants who took at least 75 percent of their assigned pills, improvements were even greater. They increased their walking distance by more than 100 feet.
The researchers believe the supplement works by increasing levels of a natural substance in the body called NAD. This substance plays a key role in helping cells produce energy and repair damage. As people age, NAD levels naturally decline. Lower levels may reduce the ability of muscles to generate energy efficiently.
For people with PAD, whose muscles already receive less oxygen and nutrients because of restricted blood flow, increasing NAD levels may help muscles use energy more effectively and perform better during physical activity.
The researchers also investigated whether combining nicotinamide riboside with another popular compound called resveratrol would provide extra benefits. Resveratrol is found naturally in red wine and has attracted attention because of its possible health effects.
However, the study found that adding resveratrol did not improve results beyond what nicotinamide riboside achieved 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 stressed that larger studies are still needed. Bigger trials will help determine whether the supplement is safe and effective over longer periods.
Dr. Mary McDermott, a PAD specialist at Northwestern University and another leader of the study, said the team also hopes to explore whether the supplement might help healthy older adults maintain mobility as they age.
Although more research is needed, the study offers new hope for people living with peripheral artery disease. A simple daily supplement that supports the body’s natural energy systems could one day become an easy and affordable way to help older adults stay active, walk farther, and maintain their independence.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies about the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease, and vitamin D supplements strongly reduce cancer death.
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