The latest medical research has revealed a promising development in the treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD), a chronic leg condition with limited effective treatments. A recent preliminary clinical trial conducted by scientists from Northwestern University and the University of Florida showed that the over-the-counter supplement nicotinamide riboside, a form of vitamin B3, significantly improved the walking endurance of PAD patients.
During the six-month study, participants who took nicotinamide riboside daily experienced an increase of more than 57 feet in their timed walking distance compared to those who were given a placebo. The decline in walking speed typically associated with PAD progression was observed in the placebo group, highlighting the potential of nicotinamide riboside in aiding these patients.
Dr. Christiaan Leeuwenburgh, a professor at the University of Florida specializing in anti-aging treatments and the senior author of the clinical trial report, expressed optimism about the results, stating that nicotinamide riboside could be beneficial for PAD patients. Plans are underway for a larger follow-up trial to validate these initial findings.
The research team, led by Dr. Leeuwenburgh and Dr. Mary M. McDermott from Northwestern University, published their findings in the journal Nature Communications. The study involved 90 participants with an average age of 71 diagnosed with PAD, aiming to assess the impact of nicotinamide riboside on their condition.
Nicotinamide riboside, a popular anti-aging supplement, acts as a precursor for NAD, a crucial compound in the body responsible for energy production, blood flow improvement, and DNA repair. Given that PAD is linked to energy generation issues in muscle cells, the researchers hypothesized that nicotinamide riboside could enhance walking performance in individuals with the disease.
Results from the trial supported this hypothesis, showing that participants taking the supplement walked an average of 23 feet further in a six-minute walking test after six months, while those on a placebo walked 34 feet less. Notably, participants who adhered to at least 75% of the prescribed supplement regimen demonstrated even greater improvements, adding over 100 feet to their walking distance compared to the placebo group.
The study did not find similar benefits from resveratrol, a compound commonly found in red wine, indicating the unique potential of nicotinamide riboside in enhancing walking performance for PAD patients.
