Longevity
Nicotinamide riboside
NR, Niagen
Nicotinamide riboside is a NAD+ precursor sold as a dietary supplement, and the better-regulated of the two main NAD+ boosters in the US, where it has notified GRAS status and New Dietary Ingredient acknowledgement.
Also known as: Niagen, nicotinamide riboside chloride, Tru Niagen
- Status
- Nicotinamide riboside is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use.
- Evidence
- Human trials. Published clinical trials in people report results.
- Half-life
- Plasma NR is cleared within about an hour; NAD+ elevation persists for several hours.
- How it's taken
- Oral capsule
- Mechanism
- Mitochondrial / longevity
- Pathways
- Mitochondrial, Nad Precursor
How Nicotinamide riboside works
Nicotinamide riboside is converted to NMN by nicotinamide riboside kinases, and then to NAD+. It is the only NAD+ precursor with a dedicated kinase-mediated entry route, and it can be taken up by cells through nucleoside transporters, which is a mechanistic argument for it over NMN.
What research has looked at
- Multiple randomised controlled trials in humans confirm dose-dependent increases in blood NAD+.
- It has a clearer US regulatory position than NMN, with notified GRAS status and NDI acknowledgement.
- It has been studied in a wider range of registered human trials than NMN, including in heart failure, Parkinson's disease and ageing cohorts.
- Safety in trials has been consistently good at studied doses.
Evidence level: Human trials. Published clinical trials in people report results. These are areas studied or reported, not promised effects.
Reported side effects and risks
- As with NMN, raising blood NAD+ is demonstrated but downstream clinical benefit largely is not. Trials in ageing cohorts have generally failed to show meaningful functional improvement. No regulator has approved it, the human evidence base is limited, and material sold under this name is research chemical supply with unverified identity, purity, sterility and dose accuracy.
- A trial in heart failure did not demonstrate the benefit hoped for, and results across indications have been mixed.
- Theoretical concern that increasing NAD+ availability could support existing malignancy remains unresolved.
- Flushing, nausea and headache have been reported.
- It is an expensive supplement relative to the strength of the outcome evidence.
Sources
- PubMed research on nicotinamide riboside NAD+ randomised trial · NIH · National Library of Medicine
- DrugBank record for nicotinamide riboside · DrugBank
- Active clinical trials for nicotinamide riboside · U.S. National Library of Medicine
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Related compounds
Nicotinamide riboside FAQ
What is Nicotinamide riboside?
Nicotinamide riboside is a NAD+ precursor sold as a dietary supplement, and the better-regulated of the two main NAD+ boosters in the US, where it has notified GRAS status and New Dietary Ingredient acknowledgement.
How does Nicotinamide riboside work?
Nicotinamide riboside is converted to NMN by nicotinamide riboside kinases, and then to NAD+. It is the only NAD+ precursor with a dedicated kinase-mediated entry route, and it can be taken up by cells through nucleoside transporters, which is a mechanistic argument for it over NMN.
Is Nicotinamide riboside FDA approved?
No. Nicotinamide riboside is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use. Evidence level: human trials. Published clinical trials in people report results.
What is the half-life of Nicotinamide riboside?
Reported half-life: Plasma NR is cleared within about an hour; NAD+ elevation persists for several hours.
How is Nicotinamide riboside taken?
Oral capsule.
What side effects have been reported with Nicotinamide riboside?
Reported in the sources: As with NMN, raising blood NAD+ is demonstrated but downstream clinical benefit largely is not. Trials in ageing cohorts have generally failed to show meaningful functional improvement. No regulator has approved it, the human evidence base is limited, and material sold under this name is research chemical supply with unverified identity, purity, sterility and dose accuracy; A trial in heart failure did not demonstrate the benefit hoped for, and results across indications have been mixed; Theoretical concern that increasing NAD+ availability could support existing malignancy remains unresolved; Flushing, nausea and headache have been reported; It is an expensive supplement relative to the strength of the outcome evidence.
Educational summary compiled from the sources listed above. Not medical advice. Peptide Vault does not sell, source or recommend any compound. Talk to a qualified clinician before starting or changing anything.