A blend of botanical extracts marketed as BluNADBooster by NXT USA and Blue Helix Health was found to raise blood concentrations of NAD+ and improve biomarkers of mitochondrial health, energy metabolism, inflammation, cognition, and overall quality of life scores significantly in a recent clinical study.

The study also compared the ingredient head-to-head with nicotinamide riboside (NR), a precursor to NAD+ production in the body, and evaluated a combination of the two ingredients; BluNADBooster consistently outperformed NR, and the blend of both ingredients had the best results of all.

“The market has been waiting for an NAD+ solution that goes beyond precursors alone,” said Eric Anderson, managing director at NXT USA and CEO of Blue Helix Health. “BluNADBooster represents a next-generation approach, one that strengthens the ability to generate and maintain healthy NAD+ levels while addressing the underlying mechanisms that cause NAD+ to decline with age. This study confirms what we’ve believed for years: polyphenols matter, and they work in ways synthetic precursors cannot.”

In the study, 140 healthy adults received either a placebo, 500 mg of NR, 1,000 mg of BluNADBooster, or a combination of 500 mg of BluNADBooster and 500 mg of NR.

BluNAD Booster, which has previously been shown to enhance NAD+ metabolism and moderate CD38 activity (a pathway implicated in the slowdown of NAD+ production), consistently outperformed placebo across biochemical, physical, and cognitive measures.

BluNADBooster increased blood NAD+ levels by 26.48%, while NR achieved a 22.69% increase. The combination of the two ingredients achieved the largest rise, 31.76%, indicating synergistic effects.

Age-related elevation in CD38 is a driver of NAD+ depletion, and BluNADBooster acted as an inhibitor of the enzyme, reducing its activity by 17.98%.

BluNADBooster also provided polyphenol-driven inflammatory modulation, lowering key biomarkers like TNF-a, IL-6, and GDF-15.

BluNADBooster groups also achieved increases in cognitive performance scores on the MMSE-2, supporting its potential role in cognitive function, stress resilience, and overall longevity, the authors noted. And those taking BluNAD saw increases in energy and exercise performance, as indicated by a 9.94% increase in the six-minute walk test distance.

All groups experienced significant increases in health-related quality of life assessment scores after the 60-day treatment, with the most significant improvements observed in the BluNADBooster/NR combination group.

Blue Helix Health and NXT USA began the development of BluNADBooster by screening 900 herbal extracts for functional activity, identifying pomegranate and marigold as two complementary botanicals with maximal synergistic activity. The combination was then tested in several evaluations, which included physician assessments, biomarker tests, and physical performance tests.

“This is comprehensive, multidimensional evidence, science layered on science, to ensure the formulation truly delivers,” said Anderson. “For the first time, we’re seeing a clinically validated botanical strategy that supports multiple hallmarks of aging, including mitochondrial efficiency, inflammation, and cognitive resilience, within just 60 days.”