Trigonelline
Trigonelline (coffee and fenugreek alkaloid)
A natural NAD+ precursor found in coffee and fenugreek that improved muscle function in aged mice and worms and is lower in people with sarcopenia; no human intervention trial yet.
Overview
A 2024 Nature Metabolism paper identified trigonelline as an NAD+ precursor: blood levels were lower in older adults with sarcopenia, and supplementation improved muscle mitochondrial function and strength in aged mice while extending worm lifespan by about 18%. It is widely available as a supplement, and coffee is a dietary source. Whether it does anything for human muscle has not been tested.
Mechanism of action
Feeds NAD+ synthesis and supports mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle.
Key studies & citations
- Animal2024
Trigonelline is an NAD+ precursor that improves muscle function during ageing and is reduced in human sarcopenia
Better muscle function in old mice; 17.9% lifespan extension in C. elegans; low levels in human sarcopenia.
Nature Metabolism
Frequently asked questions
Is trigonelline better than NMN or NR?
Unknown. No human study compares them, and trigonelline has no human intervention trial at all.