Adding nicotinamide riboside to walking did not improve the main blood pressure outcome
A pilot trial found no demonstrated advantage over placebo plus the same exercise program for daytime systolic blood pressure.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Adding nicotinamide riboside to supervised walking did not reduce daytime systolic blood pressure more than adding placebo. Supplement groups had higher levels of NAD breakdown products, but that biological response did not establish improved blood pressure control. Exploratory nighttime findings in participants without antihypertensive medication remain uncertain and require further testing.
This abstract-based summary concerns a short pilot trial. The nighttime blood pressure signal came from a post hoc subgroup analysis and was described as a trend, limiting its value as evidence of benefit.
What researchers found
Change in daytime systolic blood pressure
Nicotinamide riboside plus walking versus placebo plus identical walking over 6 weeks; this does not establish equivalence.
The primary comparison
The main question was whether the supplement added benefit to the exercise program. Both comparison groups received the same supervised walking regimen, allowing the study to assess the added contribution of nicotinamide riboside to its primary outcome.
Exploratory signals need separation
The researchers also measured arterial stiffness, nighttime blood pressure and NAD-related compounds. Trends in secondary measures or selected participants do not overturn the main result, and this study provides no basis for changing blood pressure medication.
The original publication
Nicotinamide riboside combined with exercise to treat hypertension in middle-aged and older adults: a pilot randomized clinical trial.
Lin Y, Zeidan RS, Lapierre-Nguyen S et al.
Geroscience · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40770531
- Record checked
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