Patients with COPD are encouraged to consult their doctors regarding the potential benefits of vitamin B3 supplementation.

The findings of this study were published in the journal Nature Aging on November 15, 2024, with further research planned to confirm the results.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects around 600 million people globally, yet only about half are aware of their condition.

Common symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath, persistent cough, wheezing, and frequent respiratory infections, which significantly hinder daily activities.

Patients with COPD face increased risks of pneumonia, influenza, and other serious respiratory infections, which can be life-threatening.

A recent study by Danish researchers suggests that daily doses of nicotinamide riboside, a form of vitamin B3, may help reduce lung inflammation in COPD patients.

In a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 40 COPD patients and 20 healthy controls, those taking 2 grams of vitamin B3 daily showed a 53% reduction in interleukin 8 (IL 8), a marker of inflammation, after six weeks, improving to 63% after 12 weeks.

The study found that COPD patients had lower levels of NAD, a molecule linked to accelerated aging, and vitamin B3 treatment raised these levels, indicating potential effects on cellular aging.

Reducing lung inflammation is crucial, as it can lead to improved lung function and a decreased risk of respiratory infections and pneumonia in COPD patients.

Researcher Morten Scheibye-Knudsen from the University of Copenhagen expressed hope that these findings could pave the way for new treatment options for COPD.

While the results are promising, the researchers stress the need for larger studies to confirm these findings and to explore the long-term effects of nicotinamide riboside as a treatment for COPD.

The researchers also caution against drawing premature conclusions about NAD's role in aging, highlighting the necessity for further studies to validate their findings.