Martens · Nature communications 2018 · randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial · n=?

Chronic nicotinamide riboside supplementation is well-tolerated and elevates NAD + in healthy middle-aged and older adults.

Cited 591 times in the scientific literature.

Level 2 - randomized trial

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial.

PubMed 29599478 · doi:10.1038/s41467-018-03421-7 · record verified 2026-08-30

What was done

A 2 × 6-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial evaluating chronic supplementation with the NAD+ precursor nicotinamide riboside (NR) in healthy middle-aged and older adults.

What was found

The abstract reports that chronic NR supplementation was well tolerated and effectively stimulated NAD+ metabolism. No specific quantitative measurements, baseline values, effect sizes, or p-values are reported in the abstract. The authors observed preliminary physiological effects and suggested future trials assess potential benefits for reducing blood pressure and arterial stiffness.

Why it matters

Provides human clinical trial evidence that oral nicotinamide riboside can safely increase NAD+ metabolism in healthy middle-aged and older individuals, supporting further research into its cardiovascular effects.

Limits

The abstract does not disclose the sample size, dosage, participant baseline characteristics, or numeric results with variance measures. Findings regarding blood pressure and arterial stiffness are preliminary suggestions rather than fully reported primary clinical endpoints.

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