Ingestion of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide increased blood NAD levels, maintained walking speed, and improved sleep quality in older adults in a double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled study

This 12-week double-blind trial randomized 60 older adults to 250 mg/day NMN or placebo. The prespecified primary stepping-test outcome did not significantly differ between groups at either four or twelve weeks.

Several secondary outcomes favored NMN: four-meter walking time was shorter at 12 weeks, blood NAD+ and metabolites increased, and some Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index measures improved.

No test-substance-related adverse effects were reported. The secondary findings are useful but should be interpreted in the context of a null primary endpoint.

• The primary stepping-test outcome was not significantly different between NMN and placebo at 4 or 12 weeks.
• Four-meter walking time was significantly shorter in the NMN group at 12 weeks.
• Blood NAD+ and several metabolites increased with NMN.
• Daytime dysfunction and global PSQI scores improved relative to placebo at 12 weeks.
• No adverse effects attributed to the test substance were reported.

• The primary efficacy endpoint was null.
• Positive walking and sleep findings were secondary outcomes.
• Commercial affiliations were present: three authors were employees of Meiji Holdings.
• Twelve weeks does not establish long-term functional or safety effects.
• Results in older adults do not automatically generalize to younger populations or disease treatment.