Elysium Health, the longevity science company, has published research in Frontiers in Aging suggesting a potential connection between NAD+ metabolism, estrogen balance, and menopausal symptoms. The company also announced the addition of Yousin Suh, PhD, professor of reproductive sciences at Columbia University and director of its Reproductive Aging Program, to its Scientific Advisory Board.
The open-label pilot study evaluated 40 healthy women over 35, of whom 32 self-reported menopause transition symptoms. After seven days of supplementation with Basis, the company’s flagship NAD+ product, participants in the symptomatic group self-reported reductions of 50% or more in the frequency and severity of hot flashes, bloating, and poor sleep.
The study also found a significant increase in the ratio of estradiol (E2) to estrone (E1) – the two primary forms of estrogen in women, whose shifting balance is a hallmark of menopause. And it characterized a previously unreported NAD+ metabolite, adding to the understanding of how NAD+ precursors are processed in humans.
“We were encouraged to see improvements in estradiol-to-estrone ratios alongside meaningful reductions in the frequency and severity of menopausal symptoms reported by participants,” said study co-author Marie Migaud, PhD, of the University of Western Australia. “Unexpectedly, the study also led to the discovery of a previously unreported NAD+ metabolite, highlighting how much remains to be learned about NAD+ biology.”
Important caveats: this is a small, open-label pilot study with self-reported outcomes and no placebo control, meaning the symptom improvements cannot be separated from placebo effects. Elysium says it plans a larger randomized, placebo-controlled trial to build on the findings.
“Women’s health, reproductive aging, and longevity are deeply interconnected, yet they remain underrepresented in aging research,” said Suh. “While further studies are needed, this work underscores the importance of expanding research into the biological mechanisms underlying reproductive aging.”
