Nicotinamide Riboside
Also known as nad+ precursor, niagen, nicotinamide riboside, nr
Key takeaways
- Chronic supplementation is well-tolerated and elevates NAD+ in healthy middle-aged and older adults (PMID: 29599478).
- NR augments the aged human skeletal muscle NAD+ metabolome and induces anti-inflammatory signatures (PMID: 31412242).
- Oral NR raises NAD+ and lowers biomarkers of neurodegenerative pathology in neuronal-origin extracellular vesicles (PMID: 36515353).
What the research shows
AI-synthesized from 10 peer-reviewed sources · Updated 2025
Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) is a precursor to NAD+ used to combat age-related decline in cellular energy and function. Research indicates it is generally well-tolerated and effective at increasing systemic NAD+ levels in humans across various age groups and health statuses.
By condition
Healthy Aging
Moderate
NR effectively elevates NAD+ levels and induces anti-inflammatory signatures in skeletal muscle of older adults.
Neurodegenerative Pathology
Weak
Preliminary evidence suggests NR may lower biomarkers of neurodegenerative pathology in plasma extracellular vesicles.
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
Insufficient
A small safety study showed NR combined with pterostilbene increases NAD+ in AKI patients, but the sample size was very small (N=5).
Werner Syndrome
Weak
Early evidence suggests potential benefits in patients with this rare progeroid syndrome.
COPD
Weak
Investigated for its effect on airway inflammation, though definitive outcomes are not detailed in the provided abstract.
Effective doses
Not explicitly specified in the provided abstracts, though studies utilized chronic administration of NIAGEN (Nicotinamide Riboside Chloride).
Safety & interactions
Generally reported as well-tolerated in healthy and overweight adults; no specific contraindications or interactions were listed in the provided data.
Limitations
Many studies have small sample sizes (e.g., N=5 in AKI study) or are early-phase trials. There is a lack of long-term, large-scale clinical trials to confirm therapeutic efficacy for specific diseases.
Top-rated Nicotinamide Riboside products
Ranked by safety score and evidence coverage
How it's sold
Data aggregated from 29 product labels
Research evidence
Showing top 10 of 10 sources, sorted by quality
**Martens et al., 2018** | Nat Commun | Rct Martens Christopher R, Denman Blair A, ... Seals Douglas R. Chronic nicotinamide riboside supplementation is well-tolerated and elevates NAD+ in healthy middle-aged and older adults. Nat Commun. 2…
**Baichuan et al., 2023** | Front Nutr | Systematic Review Baichuan You, Gomes Reis Marcela, ... Sernizon Guimarães Nathalia. The effects of NAD+ precursor (nicotinic acid and nicotinamide) supplementation on weight loss and related hormone…
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive, incurable disease associated with smoking and advanced age, ranking as the third leading cause of death worldwide. DNA damage and loss of the central metabolite nicotinamide ade…
**Conze et al., 2019** | Sci Rep | Rct Conze Dietrich, Brenner Charles, Kruger Claire L. Safety and Metabolism of Long-term Administration of NIAGEN (Nicotinamide Riboside Chloride) in a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical…
**Elhassan et al., 2019** | Cell Rep | Rct Elhassan Yasir S, Kluckova Katarina, ... Lavery Gareth G. Nicotinamide Riboside Augments the Aged Human Skeletal Muscle NAD+ Metabolome and Induces Transcriptomic and Anti-inflammatory Signatures. …
**Vreones et al., 2023** | Aging Cell | Rct Vreones Michael, Mustapic Maja, ... Martens Christopher R. Oral nicotinamide riboside raises NAD+ and lowers biomarkers of neurodegenerative pathology in plasma extracellular vesicles enriched for…
**Simic et al., 2020** | BMC Nephrol | Rct Simic Petra, Vela Parada Xavier Fernando, ... Rhee Eugene P. Nicotinamide riboside with pterostilbene (NRPT) increases NAD+ in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI): a randomized, double-blind, p…
**NCT ID**: NCT04809974 **Phase**: PHASE4 **Status**: COMPLETED **Enrollment**: 72 **Completion**: 2024-02-23
BACKGROUNDDuring aging, there is a functional decline in the pool of muscle stem cells (MuSCs) that influences the functional and regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle. Preclinical evidence has suggested that nicotinamide riboside (NR) a…
Werner syndrome (WS) is a rare hereditary progeroid syndrome caused by mutations in the WRN gene. Patients frequently develop various age-associated diseases prematurely, often leading to early mortality (≤ 60 years of age). Depletion of ni…
Frequently asked questions
What is Nicotinamide Riboside and what is it used for?
Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) is a supplement used to boost levels of NAD+, a molecule involved in cellular energy and function. It is primarily researched for its potential to combat age-related decline in cellular health and function.
Does Nicotinamide Riboside help with healthy aging?
There is moderate evidence that NR effectively elevates NAD+ levels and induces anti-inflammatory signatures in the skeletal muscle of older adults. This suggests it may support healthy aging, though more research is needed to confirm long-term benefits.
Can Nicotinamide Riboside treat neurodegenerative diseases?
Evidence for this use is currently weak. Preliminary studies suggest NR may lower biomarkers of neurodegenerative pathology in plasma, but definitive clinical outcomes are not yet established. Research is limited, and it should not replace prescribed treatments.
What is the effective dose of Nicotinamide Riboside?
The provided evidence does not specify an exact effective dose, only noting that studies utilized chronic administration of Nicotinamide Riboside Chloride. Consumers should consult a healthcare provider to determine an appropriate dosage for their needs.
Is Nicotinamide Riboside safe to take?
NR is generally reported as well-tolerated in healthy and overweight adults, with no specific contraindications listed in the provided data. However, evidence for safety in pregnant or breastfeeding individuals is insufficient, so they should avoid it unless directed by a doctor.
Does Nicotinamide Riboside interact with other medications?
No drug interactions have been documented in the provided evidence summary. Despite this, individuals currently taking medications should consult their healthcare provider before starting any new supplement to ensure safety.
Who should avoid taking Nicotinamide Riboside?
Individuals with insufficient evidence regarding safety, such as pregnant or breastfeeding women, should avoid NR. Additionally, anyone with specific health conditions or those taking other medications should consult a healthcare provider before use.