Supplement targeting aging processes shows potential to improve markers of blood vessel health
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A multicomponent nutritional supplement has been found to improve markers of vascular health in a randomized controlled trial led by the University of Surrey. The formulation combined ingredients (vitamins, minerals, amino acids and plant-derived bioactives) selected for their relevance to several biological processes associated with aging.
After six months, participants receiving the supplement, known as NOVOS Core, showed improvements in endothelial function, arterial stiffness and systolic blood pressure compared with those who did not receive the supplement. Blood vessel function improved within one hour of the first dose.
During the study, Surrey scientists explored whether targeting multiple aging-related processes simultaneously with a nutritional supplement could influence cardiovascular health biomarkers. These measures capture complementary aspects of vascular health and are associated with cardiovascular risk, although they are not clinical outcomes.
This study was published in the European Heart Journal Open.
Christian Heiss, professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Surrey, said, "Biological aging is not driven by one pathway, but by a number of interacting molecular and cellular processes. The idea behind this study was to ask whether addressing several of these processes at the same time via a nutritional supplement could produce measurable effects on cardiovascular health biomarkers.
"As a first step, we looked at established biomarkers of vascular health, such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels, rather than clinical outcomes. We found favorable changes in endothelial function, arterial stiffness and systolic blood pressure after six months. These findings are encouraging. We now need larger studies to understand the mechanisms involved and, importantly, whether these changes translate into longer-term health benefits."
Diogo Barardo, director of R&D at NOVOS and a geroscientist, a scientist specializing in the biology of aging, said, "When we began developing NOVOS Core in 2019, our hypothesis was that simultaneously targeting all the hallmarks of aging, the fundamental biological processes underlying aging and age-related diseases, could produce measurable improvements in the organs and systems affected by aging.
"The STAMINA results provide encouraging clinical evidence consistent with that hypothesis, demonstrating improvements across three measures of cardiovascular function—particularly meaningful given that cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide."
For the study, researchers recruited 61 participants, 33 of whom received the supplement and 28 a placebo (control group). Participants were asked to consume the supplement or a placebo once daily for six months.
Researchers found that flow-mediated dilation, a measure of endothelial function (regulation of blood vessel tone and blood clotting), improved in participants receiving the supplement compared with the control group. An improvement was also observed one hour after the first dose, while values remained largely unchanged in the control group.
At six months, the adjusted between-group difference in systolic blood pressure was 6.1 mmHg, again favoring the supplement group. A difference was also observed one hour after the first dose. To put this effect size in context, previous large studies have found that a 5 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure is associated with an approximately 10% reduction in major cardiovascular events when sustained over time. The present study was not designed to assess clinical outcomes.
Pulse wave velocity, a measure of arterial stiffness, was also lower (indicating softer arteries), with an adjusted between-group difference of 1.18 m/s after six months. In addition, blood tests showed no significant changes in cholesterol or other blood lipids, suggesting that the observed changes in vascular markers were not explained by lipid lowering.
Scientists also found that the estimated 10-year cardiovascular risk decreased modestly, largely reflecting the difference in systolic blood pressure.
Juliet Wright, founding dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Surrey, said, "This study is a good example of how ideas emerging from the biology of aging can be tested rigorously in people. The findings provide an interesting proof of concept, but the important next step is to understand the underlying biology and establish whether changes in cardiovascular biomarkers translate into meaningful longer-term health benefits."
More information
Charles Piercy et al., Acute and 6-Month Vascular Effects of a Multi-Component Nutritional Supplement: Preliminary Findings from a Randomised Controlled Trial, European Heart Journal Open (2026). DOI: 10.1093/ehjopen/oeag157
Key medical concepts
Systolic blood pressureArterial Stiffnesses
Clinical categories
CardiologyHealthy agingNutrition & Healthy eatingPreventive medicineHealthy living Provided by University of Surrey Who's behind this story?
Swati Mestri
Swati Mestri holds a bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering and has worked as a content editor since 2019. She has experience editing research documents across technology, health care, and materials science, and has a particular interest in technology and space. Full profile →
Andrew Zinin
Master's in physics with research experience. Long-time science news enthusiast. Plays key role in Science X's editorial success. Full profile →
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