Researchers studied whether exercise and a special supplement called NBS could help repair heart damage caused by methamphetamine use. Using 104 rats, they found that methamphetamine harmed the heart by triggering harmful cell death processes. When rats exercised regularly and took the NBS supplement together, their hearts showed significant improvement—with less cell death and better protective genes activated. The combination worked better than either treatment alone. While this is early research in animals, it suggests that combining exercise with proper nutrition might help people recovering from methamphetamine addiction heal their hearts.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether exercise and a nutritional supplement together could reverse heart damage caused by methamphetamine use
  • Who participated: 104 male laboratory rats divided into 8 groups, some given methamphetamine and others given different combinations of exercise training and NBS supplement over 6 weeks
  • Key finding: Rats that exercised AND took the supplement showed the most heart healing, with significantly lower markers of heart damage and better activation of protective genes compared to rats that did only one treatment or neither
  • What it means for you: This animal study suggests that combining regular aerobic exercise with nutritional supplementation may help repair methamphetamine-related heart damage. However, this is early research and hasn’t been tested in humans yet—talk to your doctor before making any changes based on this finding

The Research Details

Scientists divided 104 male rats into 8 different groups to test different combinations of treatments. First, they gave some rats methamphetamine in increasing doses over 6 weeks to damage their hearts. Then they had some rats exercise on treadmills for 60 minutes, five days a week, while others received a daily supplement called NBS Superfood, and some received both treatments. A control group received neither treatment. After 6 weeks, researchers examined the rats’ hearts and blood to measure specific markers of heart damage and cell death.

The researchers looked at three main things: special genes that protect the heart (called Melusin), genes that trigger harmful cell death (called caspase-3), and two enzymes in the blood (CK and LDH) that leak out when the heart is damaged. They used statistical analysis to compare all the groups and determine which treatments worked best.

This research design is important because it tests whether combining two treatments works better than using just one. This matters for real people because it shows whether lifestyle changes (exercise) plus nutritional support together might be more effective than either approach alone. The study also looks at the genetic level to understand how these treatments actually work to protect the heart.

This study has several strengths: it used a large number of animals (104), randomly assigned them to groups, and measured multiple markers of heart health. However, readers should know this was done in rats, not humans, so results may not directly apply to people. The study was published in Scientific Reports, a reputable journal. The researchers used standard statistical methods to analyze their data. One limitation is that this is animal research, which means we need human studies to confirm these findings work in people.

What the Results Show

Methamphetamine caused significant heart damage in rats, shown by increased harmful cell death signals and elevated heart damage markers in the blood. Specifically, a gene called caspase-3 (which triggers cell death) increased dramatically, while a protective gene called Melusin decreased. Blood markers of heart damage (CK and LDH enzymes) also rose significantly.

When rats exercised regularly, these harmful changes improved somewhat. The NBS supplement alone also helped reduce heart damage. However, the combination of exercise plus supplement produced the strongest results—caspase-3 levels dropped the most, Melusin protective genes increased the most, and blood damage markers decreased the most.

The improvement from the combined treatment was noticeably better than either single treatment. This suggests that exercise and nutrition work together in a synergistic way—meaning they enhance each other’s benefits rather than just adding up.

The study found that the timing and intensity of the treatments mattered. The 6-week duration of both exercise and supplementation appeared sufficient to produce measurable improvements. The moderate-intensity treadmill exercise (not extreme training) combined with the specific dose of NBS supplement produced optimal results. The researchers also noted that the protective gene Melusin appeared to be a key mechanism by which these treatments protected the heart.

Previous research had suggested that exercise and nutrition could help with methamphetamine-related heart damage, but this study goes deeper by examining the genetic mechanisms involved. It’s one of the first to show that combining these approaches works synergistically (better together than apart) and identifies specific genes involved in the protection process. This builds on earlier work but provides new insight into how these treatments actually work at the cellular level.

This research was conducted entirely in rats, not humans, so we cannot be certain the results will apply to people. The study used male rats only, so results may differ in females. The NBS supplement is a specific product, and we don’t know if other supplements would work similarly. The study lasted only 6 weeks, so we don’t know about long-term effects. Additionally, the rats were given methamphetamine in a controlled laboratory setting, which may differ from real-world drug use patterns in humans.

The Bottom Line

Based on this animal research, a reasonable approach for people recovering from methamphetamine use would be to combine regular aerobic exercise (like brisk walking, jogging, or cycling for 30-60 minutes most days) with proper nutrition, potentially including nutrient-dense whole foods. However, this is preliminary evidence—consult with your doctor or addiction specialist before starting any new exercise or supplement program. The confidence level is moderate for the general principle (exercise + nutrition helps) but low for specific product recommendations until human studies are completed.

This research is most relevant to people recovering from methamphetamine addiction who are concerned about heart health, addiction specialists treating these patients, and researchers studying addiction recovery. It may also interest people with other forms of drug-induced heart damage. This research should NOT be used as a reason to delay or replace standard medical treatment for heart problems or addiction. People with existing heart conditions should consult their doctor before starting new exercise programs.

In the rat study, measurable improvements appeared over the 6-week treatment period. In humans, similar benefits might take several weeks to months to become noticeable, though some improvements in energy and mood could appear sooner. Heart function improvements typically require consistent effort over months. Individual results will vary based on the severity of prior damage and adherence to the program.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly aerobic exercise minutes (goal: 150-300 minutes per week) and daily supplement/nutrition intake. Also monitor subjective measures like energy levels, shortness of breath during activity, and overall recovery progress on a 1-10 scale.
  • Users could set a daily reminder to complete 30-45 minutes of moderate aerobic activity (walking, cycling, swimming) and log it in the app. They could also track daily intake of nutrient-dense foods (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins) and any supplements being used under medical supervision.
  • Establish a baseline of current fitness level and heart-health markers (if available from doctor). Track weekly exercise consistency and nutrition quality. Every 4-6 weeks, reassess energy levels, exercise capacity, and any symptoms. Share progress with healthcare provider to monitor for actual improvements in heart function through medical testing.

This research was conducted in laboratory rats and has not been tested in humans. The findings are preliminary and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or addiction treatment. Anyone recovering from methamphetamine use should work with qualified healthcare providers, including cardiologists and addiction specialists, before making changes to their exercise or supplement routine. The NBS supplement mentioned in this study is a specific product and has not been independently verified for safety or efficacy in humans. Always consult your doctor before starting new exercise programs, especially if you have existing heart conditions or health concerns. This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.