Study Reveals Pomegranate and Marigold Extracts Boost NAD+ Levels

Research published in the Journal of Functional Foods has found that a combination of pomegranate and marigold extracts can significantly enhance levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) in the blood. The study indicates that the ingredient branded as BluNADBooster raised blood NAD+ levels by 26.5%. When combined with nicotinamide riboside (NR), the increase reached 31.8%. In contrast, NR alone resulted in a 22.7% increase.

Scientists from four medical institutions in India conducted this proof-of-concept study involving 140 healthy aging adults. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo, 500 mg of NR, 1,000 mg of BluNADBooster, or a combination of BluNADBooster and NR for a duration of 60 days.

Significant Findings on NAD+ and Mitochondrial Health

The results demonstrated that supplementation with the phytoceutical composition LN22199 significantly elevated NAD+ levels while also reducing the activity of the enzyme CD38. Elevated CD38 levels are known to drive NAD+ depletion, a critical factor in age-related health issues. The BluNADBooster intervention was found to decrease CD38 activity by 18%, while NR alone showed minimal change.

Additionally, the study highlighted improvements in other health markers. Participants taking the pomegranate-marigold combination showed a 15% reduction in serum growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), a marker associated with “inflammaging.” The combination with NR resulted in a reduction of 17.8% in GDF-15 levels, while NR alone led to an 11.4% decrease.

The study also measured functional outcomes, revealing that participants receiving the combination of BluNADBooster and NR achieved a 10% increase in six-minute walk distance. This performance improvement outpaced the separate groups, which recorded 6.85% and 6.6% increases for BluNADBooster and NR, respectively. Cognitive function, gauged using the Mini-Mental State Examination 2 (MMSE-2), also improved significantly, with a 16.5% enhancement in cognitive scores for the combination group.

Implications for Healthy Aging

The researchers concluded that the findings support a dual-action strategy aimed at both boosting NAD+ biosynthesis and limiting its degradation. This approach may offer a promising avenue for mitigating age-associated declines. The study authors stated, “

LN22199, when used alone or in combination with NR, provides a comprehensive intervention strategy that emerges as a safe and effective nutraceutical approach to promote healthy aging and mitochondrial function.

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Eric Anderson, managing director at NXT USA and CEO of Blue Helix Health, emphasized the significance of the study, stating, “This is comprehensive, multidimensional evidence—science layered on science—to ensure the formulation truly delivers.” He noted that this research validates a botanical strategy that supports key aspects of aging, including mitochondrial efficiency and cognitive resilience, within just 60 days.

As the global population ages, the quest for effective supplements that enhance mitochondrial health and overall well-being becomes increasingly relevant. The promising results of this study highlight the potential of natural extracts in promoting healthspan and combating age-related issues.

The research was published in 2025, contributing to the ongoing exploration of innovative solutions for healthy aging.