Niagen Bioscience Publishes New Research Linking Niagen® Supplementation to Reduced Biological Aging in Skeletal Muscle
Niagen Bioscience, Inc., a global leader in NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) science and healthy aging research, has announced the publication of a new peer-reviewed study in the journal Aging Cell that provides new insights into the potential role of Niagen® (patented nicotinamide riboside, or NR) in slowing biological aging at the tissue level. The findings suggest that supplementation with Niagen may reduce epigenetic age acceleration in human skeletal muscle, marking an important step forward in understanding how NAD+ restoration may influence the molecular mechanisms of aging.
The study analyzed previously published clinical data alongside new laboratory experiments and found that individuals who received Niagen supplementation experienced measurable reductions in muscle epigenetic age acceleration using the Muscle Epigenetic Age Test (MEAT) clock, a specialized biomarker designed to assess biological aging in skeletal muscle. Researchers also identified a correlation between improvements in mitochondrial DNA content and changes in muscle epigenetic age, indicating a potential biological connection between healthier mitochondria and slower tissue aging.
Expanding the Understanding of Healthy Aging
The publication represents one of the earliest human investigations suggesting that increasing NAD+ levels through nicotinamide riboside supplementation may influence biological aging processes beyond simply enhancing cellular energy production.
Rob Fried, Chief Executive Officer of Niagen Bioscience, described the findings as a significant advancement in longevity science.
According to Fried, the research demonstrates that Niagen supplementation may have effects extending beyond increasing NAD+ availability or improving mitochondrial performance. Instead, the results indicate that restoring NAD+ levels could influence fundamental biological aging pathways within skeletal muscle, providing new evidence that tissue-specific aging processes may be modifiable.
While the company emphasizes that additional clinical research is needed, the study adds to a growing body of evidence supporting the role of NAD+ metabolism in maintaining healthy aging.
International Research Collaboration
The study was conducted through a collaboration involving leading researchers from Finland, Denmark, and Australia.
The research team was led by doctoral researcher Aino Heikkinen and principal investigator Miina Ollikainen, Ph.D., an expert in epigenetics at the Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research in Helsinki. Senior investigator Eija Pirinen, Ph.D., Associate Professor at the University of Oulu and University of Helsinki, also played a central role in the project.
Part of the research utilized data generated through Niagen Bioscience’s external Niagen Research Program, which supports independent scientific investigations into NAD+ biology.
Researchers combined clinical samples collected from previously completed human trials with new laboratory analyses involving cultured human muscle cells. Multiple established epigenetic clocks were used to evaluate biological aging, allowing scientists to compare the effects of Niagen supplementation across different biomarkers.
Why Skeletal Muscle Matters
Skeletal muscle plays an essential role in overall health, mobility, metabolic regulation, and physical independence. As individuals age, muscle tissue naturally loses mitochondrial function and cellular efficiency, contributing to reduced strength, slower recovery, frailty, and sarcopenia.
Mitochondria serve as the energy-producing structures within cells, and their decline is considered one of the hallmarks of aging.
NAD+ is a vital coenzyme involved in numerous biological processes, including:
- Cellular energy production
- DNA repair
- Regulation of inflammation
- Mitochondrial function
- Cellular stress responses
- Epigenetic regulation
Previous studies have shown that NAD+ concentrations decline substantially with age—by as much as 65% between the ages of 30 and 70 in tissues such as muscle and skin. This decline has been associated with many age-related physiological changes.
Because nicotinamide riboside serves as a precursor to NAD+, scientists have long investigated whether restoring NAD+ levels could improve cellular health and potentially influence biological aging.
Evaluating Epigenetic Aging
Unlike chronological age, which simply measures the number of years a person has lived, biological age reflects how rapidly tissues and organs are aging at the molecular level.
Epigenetic clocks estimate biological age by analyzing DNA methylation patterns—chemical modifications that influence gene activity without changing DNA sequences.
In this study, researchers assessed epigenetic age acceleration (EAA), which measures whether tissue appears biologically older or younger than expected based on chronological age.
To ensure comprehensive analysis, investigators evaluated seven well-established epigenetic clocks, including:
- MEAT (Muscle Epigenetic Age Test)
- DunedinPACE
- PCHorvath
- PCHannum
- PCPhenoAge
- PCGrimAge
- GrimAge2
Using multiple clocks allowed scientists to better understand how different biological aging markers respond to interventions such as NAD+ restoration and exercise.
Clinical Data from Multiple Studies
Rather than relying on a single clinical trial, investigators integrated samples from three independent human studies.
These included:
- A five-month twin study involving 1,000 mg daily Niagen supplementation.
- A supervised high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program lasting four weeks.
- A second supervised HIIT study lasting six weeks.
Researchers also conducted laboratory experiments using cultured human muscle cells to determine whether observed effects could be replicated under controlled conditions.
This multi-study design provided a broader perspective on how supplementation and exercise may independently influence biological aging.
Significant Findings
Among the study’s most notable observations was a measurable reduction in muscle biological age following five months of Niagen supplementation.
Using the muscle-specific MEAT clock, investigators estimated an average reduction of approximately 2.5 years in muscle epigenetic age acceleration.
Significant improvements were also observed using the DunedinPACE and PCHannum epigenetic clocks.
Overall, six of the seven skeletal muscle clocks demonstrated trends toward lower biological age acceleration after supplementation, although not every clock reached statistical significance.
Researchers also observed significant improvements in several blood-based epigenetic clocks, suggesting that some systemic biological effects may accompany muscle-specific changes.
Importantly, the study identified a meaningful association between improved mitochondrial DNA content and reduced epigenetic aging, supporting the hypothesis that healthier mitochondria may contribute to slower biological aging.
Exercise and NAD+ Supplementation
The study also compared Niagen supplementation with high-intensity interval training, one of the most effective exercise approaches for improving cardiovascular fitness and mitochondrial function.
Although both interventions influenced biological aging markers, their effects were not identical.
Researchers observed that some epigenetic clocks responded more favorably to Niagen supplementation, while one clock showed greater improvement with HIIT.
The investigators suggested that exercise-induced inflammation and temporary muscle damage may affect certain epigenetic aging signals differently than NAD+ restoration.
Rather than viewing supplementation and exercise as competing interventions, the findings suggest they may provide complementary biological benefits.
Future studies may explore whether combining structured exercise with NAD+ supplementation produces additive or synergistic effects on healthy aging.
Laboratory Findings
In laboratory experiments involving cultured human muscle cells, Niagen supplementation increased intracellular NAD+ concentrations by approximately 1.52-fold compared with untreated cells.
However, these isolated cell models did not demonstrate statistically significant improvements in mitochondrial DNA quantity or epigenetic aging markers.
Researchers believe this difference highlights the complexity of human physiology.
Unlike isolated cells growing in a laboratory, living humans experience interactions among multiple organs, immune signaling pathways, hormones, metabolism, and environmental influences that may contribute to the tissue-level benefits observed in clinical studies.
Implications for Aging Research
The publication contributes to a rapidly expanding field investigating how metabolic interventions may influence biological aging.
Rather than focusing solely on lifespan, modern aging research increasingly emphasizes healthspan—the number of years individuals remain healthy, physically active, and free from chronic disease.
By demonstrating potential effects on molecular markers of skeletal muscle aging, the study provides additional evidence supporting continued investigation of NAD+ restoration strategies.
Researchers caution that epigenetic clocks remain evolving scientific tools, and further clinical trials involving larger populations will be necessary to determine how changes in these biomarkers translate into long-term health outcomes.
Niagen Bioscience believes the findings strengthen the scientific foundation supporting nicotinamide riboside supplementation and its potential role in promoting healthy aging.
The company plans to continue supporting independent research exploring NAD+ biology across multiple tissues and disease areas.
As scientists gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between mitochondrial health, cellular repair, and epigenetic regulation, future studies may help clarify how interventions such as Niagen can contribute to preserving muscle function and improving overall health during aging.
While additional research is needed to confirm these observations and determine their long-term clinical significance, the newly published study represents an important milestone in the evolving science of NAD+ restoration and biological aging, offering promising evidence that skeletal muscle aging may be influenced through targeted nutritional intervention.
About Niagen Bioscience
Niagen Bioscience, Inc. (NASDAQ: NAGE) is the global authority in healthy aging and NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) science. As a trusted pioneer of NAD+ discoveries, Niagen Bioscience™ is dedicated to advancing healthspan through precision science and innovative NAD+-boosting solutions.
The Niagen Bioscience team, composed of world-renowned scientists, works with independent investigators from esteemed universities and research institutions around the globe to uncover the full potential of NAD+. A vital coenzyme found in every cell of the human body, NAD+ declines with age and exposure to everyday lifestyle stressors. NAD+ depletion is a key contributor to age-related changes in health and vitality.
Distinguished by state-of-the-art laboratories, rigorous scientific and quality protocols, and collaborations with leading research institutions worldwide, Niagen Bioscience sets the gold standard for research, quality, and innovation. There’s a better way to age.
At the heart of its clinically proven product portfolio is Niagen® (patented nicotinamide riboside, or NR), the most efficient, well-researched, and high-quality NAD+ booster available. Niagen powers the Company’s consumer supplement, Tru Niagen®, the number one NAD+ boosting oral supplement in the United States† (available at www.truniagen.com), and Niagen™ Plus, featuring pharmaceutical-grade intravenous (IV) and injectable Niagen products (www.niagenplus.com). Pharmaceutical-grade Niagen IV and injections are compounded and distributed by U.S. FDA-registered 503B outsourcing facilities and are available exclusively at clinics with a prescription. NAD Pharmaceuticals Corp., the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary focused on developing therapies for accelerated aging and rare genetic diseases, is conducting research on NB4168, a differentiated molecule.