Do resveratrol and NAD precursors promote longevity?

Resveratrol and NAD precursors lack robust scientific evidence as longevity-enhancing agents despite their commercial popularity. Resveratrol’s reputation stems largely from a flawed mouse study where the supplement only appeared to extend life by preventing a bizarre physical ailment—liver expansion compressing the lungs—caused by an extreme 60% coconut oil diet. Current consensus among aging experts, including Steven Austad, Richard Miller, and Matt Kaeberlein, suggests that while NAD is a central metabolic molecule, oral precursors like NMN and NR often break down into simple niacin in the gut, rendering expensive supplements largely ineffective. Furthermore, the Interventions Testing Program has yielded negative results for these compounds, and high-dose NMN has even shown potential for inducing kidney inflammation in aged mice. Consequently, the risk-reward profile for these supplements remains unfavorable for most healthy individuals and companion animals.