SYS ONLINE
SUPPLEMENT_SCHOLAR
evidence · mechanism · dose
Supplements/Compound

Nicotinamide Riboside (NR)

aka Niagen

NAD+ precursor with bioavailability and longevity research interest.

Buy
Quick picks · code supplementsch-20 auto-appliedSee all →
Third-party testedThird-party testedAmazon →CapsulesCapsulesAmazon →PowderPowderAmazon →Best sellersBest sellersAmazon →
Healthy AgingEnergy Production

Overview

NAD+ precursor with bioavailability and longevity research interest.

Natural sources
  • Trace in milk
Common forms
  • NR chloride (Niagen)

Mechanism of action

Salvage pathway precursor that raises NAD+ levels in blood and tissues.

Pathways
  • · NAD+ salvage pathway

Effects on the body

Increases
NAD+ levels

Organ system effects

Brain & CNS

Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) acts on hallmarks of aging including oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and senescence signaling.

Skeletal Muscle

Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) supports mitochondrial ATP production and fatigue resistance.

Evidence-based benefits

Raises NAD+ in humans

Strong evidence

Functional/clinical benefits still being established

Limited evidence

Potential side effects

Common
  • · Flushing (rare)
  • · Headache
Rare
    Serious

      Drug interactions

      Prescription medications (general)
      Always disclose Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) use to your prescriber — additive, antagonistic, or pharmacokinetic interactions are possible.
      minor

      Supplement interactions

      Pairs well with
      • NAD+ precursor (NMN or NR)
        Complementary mitochondrial and sirtuin support.
      • Omega-3
        Lowers inflammation and supports membrane integrity.
      Avoid combining with

      No specific avoidances listed.

      Dosing & bioavailability

      Typical dose
      250–500 mg/d (some trials up to 1 g)
      Best form
      Most evidence is based on the nr chloride (niagen) form.
      Timing
      Consistent daily timing recommended; split larger doses if GI tolerance is a concern.
      With food?
      With a meal containing fat for fat-soluble compounds; otherwise either.

      Where to buy

      Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Amazon code supplementsch-20 is auto-applied at checkout. We don't endorse specific brands; verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

      Buy on AmazonCode supplementsch-20 auto-applied
      Scientific evidence9Show studies
      RCTNat Commun · 2018

      Nicotinamide riboside elevates NAD+ in older adults

      Martens CR, et al.

      6-week RCT of NR 1000 mg/d in older adults.

      Key findings

      Increased NAD+ by 60%; reduced systolic BP.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) — Raises NAD+ in humans

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) Raises NAD+ in humans" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) and "Raises NAD+ in humans". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) — Functional/clinical benefits still being established

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) Functional/clinical benefits still being established" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) and "Functional/clinical benefits still being established". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) — randomized controlled trial

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) — meta-analysis

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) — pharmacokinetics

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) — safety adverse events

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) — dose response

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

      Google Scholar: Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) — clinical evidence

      Live Scholar search

      Cross-database citation index for Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) as it relates to "clinical evidence".

      Key findings

      Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

      Open study
      Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.

      Community discussion

      (0 threads)

      Share your experience or read what others have tried. Anecdotes are not medical advice.

      Sign in or create a free account to post or reply.
      Loading discussion…