Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is NR?UsesFood SourcesDosesSide EffectsSimilar SupplementsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is NR?
Uses
Food Sources
Doses
Side Effects
Similar Supplements
Frequently Asked Questions
Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is a form of vitamin B3. It helps the body produce sufficient amounts of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+).
NAD+ is essential to the body’s metabolism, particularly in repairing DNA and preventingneurodegenerative diseases.
Having high enough levels of NAD+ in your body can become increasingly important as you age.There is interest in using NR supplements to increase NAD+ levels in the body with minimal side effects.
Read on to learn more about NR’s safety and benefits.
Nicotinamide Riboside Supplement Facts
What Is Nicotinamide Riboside?
Nicotinamide riboside is a supplemental form of vitamin B3 that enables the body to produce sufficient amounts of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+).As a supplement, it appears to increase the concentration of NAD+ above levels naturally produced when getting vitamin B3 from the diet.
NAD+ plays an essential role in many of the body’s metabolic processes, such asoxidative stress,inflammatory response, and sleep/wake cycles. NAD+ decreases in many tissues throughout the aging process, in times of stress, or during other periods of inflammation.
Decreased NAD+ levels are thought to increase the risk of several diseases, including the following:
Conversely, elevated levels of NAD+ lead to increased production of sirtuins. Sirtuins, a family type of enzymes, play an essential regulatory role in many of the body’s processes, including the following:
NR has been shown to increase NAD+ levels in the body. There is interest in researching NR supplementation’s effects on aging and diseases that correlate with low levels of NAD+.
Holding a capsule in the hand.lotusstock / Getty Images
lotusstock / Getty Images
Nicotinamide riboside supplementation is in the early stages of study, with limited amounts of data using human subjects.
Aging: Cognition
A study found that 500 mg of NR twice daily in older adults led to increased NAD+ blood levels and decreased markers ofneurodegeneration(breakdown of nerves or brain) cells in the body.
A study of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease found that 1,000 mg of NR daily increased NAD+ levels in the brain and reduced cerebral (brain) inflammation. This showed NR’s potential neuroprotective effects (protecting the nerves and brain).
A similar research analysis supported the possible effectiveness of increasing NAD+ (using supplements such as NR) in maintaining overall cognitive health while aging. This review found the most substantial evidence for the potential usefulness of NAD+ in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Aging: Muscle Health
A small study of older men, supplemented with 1,000 mg of NR per day, found an increase in markers of skeletal health over three weeks.
A review of several preclinical studies using NR also found potential beneficial effects of supplementation on the aging body, including the following:
Cardiovascular Health
A study on healthy middle-aged and older adults found that continued use of 1,000 mg NR daily decreased the following:
These are two common risk factors forcardiovascular disease.
General Inflammation
Multiple studies have shown NR supplementation decreases levels ofcytokinesin the blood, which is an important measure of overall inflammation in the body. These results have been shown in the following groups:
Nicotinamide riboside is plentiful in an everyday diet, particularly dairy-containing foods.The highest dietary concentrations of NR are found in cow’s milk, where NR accounts for 40% of all NAD+ precursors analyzed.
Dosage
The FDA has suggested an upper limit of 180 mg per day for a person weighing 60 kilograms (kg), which is equivalent to 132 pounds, and comes out to 3 mg/kg of body weight per day.
The European Commission identified a UL of 900 mg per day. The Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals in the United Kingdom (UK) identified a UL of 500 mg per day.
Studies in humans have used daily doses of up to 1,000 mg with no reported adverse effects.
The FDA gave one NR supplement, Niagen, GRAS status.
In the United States, the FDA does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Safety
You might consider taking nicotinamide riboside for various reasons. However, consuming a supplement like NR may have potential side effects. It is also essential to avoid nicotinamide riboside if you’re allergic to it or its components (parts).
Seek medical attention if you have asevere allergic reaction(itching, hives, shortness of breath).
It is essential to carefully read a supplement’s ingredients list and nutrition facts panel to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.
There are no known side effects of supplementation with NR.
Interactions
No interactions between NR and other drugs, supplements, or foods have been reported. It is wise not to combine NR with other NAD+ precursors, as the potential for NR to increase the known side effects of other NAD+ precursors remains unclear.
Precautions
The FDA gave one NR supplement, Niagen, GRAS status.However, keep the following precautions in mind when considering nicotinamide riboside:
Supplements similar to NR include the following:
Summary
Nicotinamide riboside (NR), also known as Niagen,is a supplemental form of vitamin B3. It helps the body produce sufficient amounts of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+).
There is limited evidence that NR supplementation benefits cognitionand muscle healthin older adults, improves cardiovascular health,and reduces overall inflammation.
To date, there have been no known side effects of supplementation with NR.NR can also be found naturally in dairy, particularly in cow’s milk.
Do not take NR if you are already taking another NAD+ precursor, such as niacin, NMN, or NADH as it is unclear whether NR increases the known side effects of other NAD+ precursors.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThere are no known side effects of supplementation with NR. The FDA granted GRAS (generally recognized as safe) (GRAS) status for one supplement brand (Niagen).NR is found in plentiful levels in an everyday diet, particularly in dairy-containing foods.The highest dietary concentrations of NR are found in cow’s milk, in which NR accounts for 40% of all NAD+ precursors analyzed.Vitamin B3 is not the same as nicotinamide riboside. NR is a form of vitamin B3,but other, similar supplements are derived from vitamin B3 as well, such as niacin and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN).
There are no known side effects of supplementation with NR. The FDA granted GRAS (generally recognized as safe) (GRAS) status for one supplement brand (Niagen).
NR is found in plentiful levels in an everyday diet, particularly in dairy-containing foods.The highest dietary concentrations of NR are found in cow’s milk, in which NR accounts for 40% of all NAD+ precursors analyzed.
Vitamin B3 is not the same as nicotinamide riboside. NR is a form of vitamin B3,but other, similar supplements are derived from vitamin B3 as well, such as niacin and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN).
17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sharma C, Donu D, Cen Y.Emerging role of nicotinamide riboside in health and diseases.Nutrients. 2022;14(19):3889. doi:10.3390/nu14193889Podyacheva E, Toropova Y.Nicotinamide riboside for the prevention and treatment of doxorubicin cardiomyopathy. opportunities and prospects.Nutrients. 2021;13(10):3435. doi:10.3390/nu13103435Mehmel M, Jovanović N, Spitz U.Nicotinamide riboside—the current state of research and therapeutic uses.Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1616. doi:10.3390/nu12061616Conze D, Brenner C, Kruger CL.Safety and metabolism of long-term administration of NIAGEN (nicotinamide riboside chloride) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of healthy overweight adults.Scientific Reports. 2019;9(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-019-46120-zFood and Drug Administration.GRAS Notice (GRN) No. 635.Conlon N, Ford D.A systems-approach to NAD+ restoration.Biochemical Pharmacology. 2022;198:114946. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2022.114946Rajman L, Chwalek K, Sinclair DA.Therapeutic potential of NAD-boosting molecules: The in vivo evidence.Cell Metabolism. 2018;27(3):529-547. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2018.02.011Vreones M, Mustapic M, Moaddel R, et al.Oral nicotinamide riboside raises NAD+ and lowers biomarkers of neurodegenerative pathology in plasma extracellular vesicles enriched for neuronal origin.Aging Cell. 2022;22(1). doi:10.1111/acel.13754Brakedal B, Dölle C, Riemer F, et al.The NADPARK study: A randomized phase I trial of nicotinamide riboside supplementation in parkinson’s disease.Cell Metabolism. 2022;34(3). doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2022.02.001Campbell JM.Supplementation with NAD+ and its precursors to prevent cognitive decline across disease contexts.Nutrients. 2022;14(15):3231. doi:10.3390/nu14153231Elhassan YS, Kluckova K, Fletcher RS, et al.Nicotinamide riboside augments the aged human skeletal muscle NAD+ metabolome and induces transcriptomic and anti-inflammatory signatures.Cell Reports. 2019;28(7). doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2019.07.043Custodero C, Saini SK, Shin MJ, et al.Nicotinamide riboside—a missing piece in the puzzle of exercise therapy for older adults?Experimental Gerontology. 2020;137:110972. doi:10.1016/j.exger.2020.110972Martens CR, Denman BA, Mazzo MR, et al.Chronic nicotinamide riboside supplementation is well-tolerated and elevates NAD+ in healthy middle-aged and older adults.Nature Communications. 2018;9(1). doi:10.1038/s41467-018-03421-7Trammell SA, Yu L, Redpath P, Migaud ME, Brenner C.Nicotinamide riboside is a major NAD+ precursor vitamin in cow milk.The Journal of Nutrition. 2016;146(5):957-963. doi:10.3945/jn.116.230078Song M, Armenian SH, Bhandari R, et al.Exercise training and NR supplementation to improve muscle mass and fitness in adolescent and young adult hematopoietic cell transplant survivors: a randomized controlled trial.BMC Cancer. 2022;22(1):795. doi:10.1186/s12885-022-09845-1Food and Drug Administration.NDI 1259 - B-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) from Inner Mongolia Kingdomway Pharmaceutical Limited.Braidy N, Liu Y.NAD+ therapy in age-related degenerative disorders: A benefit/risk analysis.Experimental Gerontology. 2020;132:110831. doi:10.1016/j.exger.2020.110831
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sharma C, Donu D, Cen Y.Emerging role of nicotinamide riboside in health and diseases.Nutrients. 2022;14(19):3889. doi:10.3390/nu14193889Podyacheva E, Toropova Y.Nicotinamide riboside for the prevention and treatment of doxorubicin cardiomyopathy. opportunities and prospects.Nutrients. 2021;13(10):3435. doi:10.3390/nu13103435Mehmel M, Jovanović N, Spitz U.Nicotinamide riboside—the current state of research and therapeutic uses.Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1616. doi:10.3390/nu12061616Conze D, Brenner C, Kruger CL.Safety and metabolism of long-term administration of NIAGEN (nicotinamide riboside chloride) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of healthy overweight adults.Scientific Reports. 2019;9(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-019-46120-zFood and Drug Administration.GRAS Notice (GRN) No. 635.Conlon N, Ford D.A systems-approach to NAD+ restoration.Biochemical Pharmacology. 2022;198:114946. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2022.114946Rajman L, Chwalek K, Sinclair DA.Therapeutic potential of NAD-boosting molecules: The in vivo evidence.Cell Metabolism. 2018;27(3):529-547. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2018.02.011Vreones M, Mustapic M, Moaddel R, et al.Oral nicotinamide riboside raises NAD+ and lowers biomarkers of neurodegenerative pathology in plasma extracellular vesicles enriched for neuronal origin.Aging Cell. 2022;22(1). doi:10.1111/acel.13754Brakedal B, Dölle C, Riemer F, et al.The NADPARK study: A randomized phase I trial of nicotinamide riboside supplementation in parkinson’s disease.Cell Metabolism. 2022;34(3). doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2022.02.001Campbell JM.Supplementation with NAD+ and its precursors to prevent cognitive decline across disease contexts.Nutrients. 2022;14(15):3231. doi:10.3390/nu14153231Elhassan YS, Kluckova K, Fletcher RS, et al.Nicotinamide riboside augments the aged human skeletal muscle NAD+ metabolome and induces transcriptomic and anti-inflammatory signatures.Cell Reports. 2019;28(7). doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2019.07.043Custodero C, Saini SK, Shin MJ, et al.Nicotinamide riboside—a missing piece in the puzzle of exercise therapy for older adults?Experimental Gerontology. 2020;137:110972. doi:10.1016/j.exger.2020.110972Martens CR, Denman BA, Mazzo MR, et al.Chronic nicotinamide riboside supplementation is well-tolerated and elevates NAD+ in healthy middle-aged and older adults.Nature Communications. 2018;9(1). doi:10.1038/s41467-018-03421-7Trammell SA, Yu L, Redpath P, Migaud ME, Brenner C.Nicotinamide riboside is a major NAD+ precursor vitamin in cow milk.The Journal of Nutrition. 2016;146(5):957-963. doi:10.3945/jn.116.230078Song M, Armenian SH, Bhandari R, et al.Exercise training and NR supplementation to improve muscle mass and fitness in adolescent and young adult hematopoietic cell transplant survivors: a randomized controlled trial.BMC Cancer. 2022;22(1):795. doi:10.1186/s12885-022-09845-1Food and Drug Administration.NDI 1259 - B-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) from Inner Mongolia Kingdomway Pharmaceutical Limited.Braidy N, Liu Y.NAD+ therapy in age-related degenerative disorders: A benefit/risk analysis.Experimental Gerontology. 2020;132:110831. doi:10.1016/j.exger.2020.110831
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Sharma C, Donu D, Cen Y.Emerging role of nicotinamide riboside in health and diseases.Nutrients. 2022;14(19):3889. doi:10.3390/nu14193889Podyacheva E, Toropova Y.Nicotinamide riboside for the prevention and treatment of doxorubicin cardiomyopathy. opportunities and prospects.Nutrients. 2021;13(10):3435. doi:10.3390/nu13103435Mehmel M, Jovanović N, Spitz U.Nicotinamide riboside—the current state of research and therapeutic uses.Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1616. doi:10.3390/nu12061616Conze D, Brenner C, Kruger CL.Safety and metabolism of long-term administration of NIAGEN (nicotinamide riboside chloride) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of healthy overweight adults.Scientific Reports. 2019;9(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-019-46120-zFood and Drug Administration.GRAS Notice (GRN) No. 635.Conlon N, Ford D.A systems-approach to NAD+ restoration.Biochemical Pharmacology. 2022;198:114946. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2022.114946Rajman L, Chwalek K, Sinclair DA.Therapeutic potential of NAD-boosting molecules: The in vivo evidence.Cell Metabolism. 2018;27(3):529-547. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2018.02.011Vreones M, Mustapic M, Moaddel R, et al.Oral nicotinamide riboside raises NAD+ and lowers biomarkers of neurodegenerative pathology in plasma extracellular vesicles enriched for neuronal origin.Aging Cell. 2022;22(1). doi:10.1111/acel.13754Brakedal B, Dölle C, Riemer F, et al.The NADPARK study: A randomized phase I trial of nicotinamide riboside supplementation in parkinson’s disease.Cell Metabolism. 2022;34(3). doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2022.02.001Campbell JM.Supplementation with NAD+ and its precursors to prevent cognitive decline across disease contexts.Nutrients. 2022;14(15):3231. doi:10.3390/nu14153231Elhassan YS, Kluckova K, Fletcher RS, et al.Nicotinamide riboside augments the aged human skeletal muscle NAD+ metabolome and induces transcriptomic and anti-inflammatory signatures.Cell Reports. 2019;28(7). doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2019.07.043Custodero C, Saini SK, Shin MJ, et al.Nicotinamide riboside—a missing piece in the puzzle of exercise therapy for older adults?Experimental Gerontology. 2020;137:110972. doi:10.1016/j.exger.2020.110972Martens CR, Denman BA, Mazzo MR, et al.Chronic nicotinamide riboside supplementation is well-tolerated and elevates NAD+ in healthy middle-aged and older adults.Nature Communications. 2018;9(1). doi:10.1038/s41467-018-03421-7Trammell SA, Yu L, Redpath P, Migaud ME, Brenner C.Nicotinamide riboside is a major NAD+ precursor vitamin in cow milk.The Journal of Nutrition. 2016;146(5):957-963. doi:10.3945/jn.116.230078Song M, Armenian SH, Bhandari R, et al.Exercise training and NR supplementation to improve muscle mass and fitness in adolescent and young adult hematopoietic cell transplant survivors: a randomized controlled trial.BMC Cancer. 2022;22(1):795. doi:10.1186/s12885-022-09845-1Food and Drug Administration.NDI 1259 - B-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) from Inner Mongolia Kingdomway Pharmaceutical Limited.Braidy N, Liu Y.NAD+ therapy in age-related degenerative disorders: A benefit/risk analysis.Experimental Gerontology. 2020;132:110831. doi:10.1016/j.exger.2020.110831
Sharma C, Donu D, Cen Y.Emerging role of nicotinamide riboside in health and diseases.Nutrients. 2022;14(19):3889. doi:10.3390/nu14193889
Podyacheva E, Toropova Y.Nicotinamide riboside for the prevention and treatment of doxorubicin cardiomyopathy. opportunities and prospects.Nutrients. 2021;13(10):3435. doi:10.3390/nu13103435
Mehmel M, Jovanović N, Spitz U.Nicotinamide riboside—the current state of research and therapeutic uses.Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1616. doi:10.3390/nu12061616
Conze D, Brenner C, Kruger CL.Safety and metabolism of long-term administration of NIAGEN (nicotinamide riboside chloride) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of healthy overweight adults.Scientific Reports. 2019;9(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-019-46120-z
Food and Drug Administration.GRAS Notice (GRN) No. 635.
Conlon N, Ford D.A systems-approach to NAD+ restoration.Biochemical Pharmacology. 2022;198:114946. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2022.114946
Rajman L, Chwalek K, Sinclair DA.Therapeutic potential of NAD-boosting molecules: The in vivo evidence.Cell Metabolism. 2018;27(3):529-547. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2018.02.011
Vreones M, Mustapic M, Moaddel R, et al.Oral nicotinamide riboside raises NAD+ and lowers biomarkers of neurodegenerative pathology in plasma extracellular vesicles enriched for neuronal origin.Aging Cell. 2022;22(1). doi:10.1111/acel.13754
Brakedal B, Dölle C, Riemer F, et al.The NADPARK study: A randomized phase I trial of nicotinamide riboside supplementation in parkinson’s disease.Cell Metabolism. 2022;34(3). doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2022.02.001
Campbell JM.Supplementation with NAD+ and its precursors to prevent cognitive decline across disease contexts.Nutrients. 2022;14(15):3231. doi:10.3390/nu14153231
Elhassan YS, Kluckova K, Fletcher RS, et al.Nicotinamide riboside augments the aged human skeletal muscle NAD+ metabolome and induces transcriptomic and anti-inflammatory signatures.Cell Reports. 2019;28(7). doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2019.07.043
Custodero C, Saini SK, Shin MJ, et al.Nicotinamide riboside—a missing piece in the puzzle of exercise therapy for older adults?Experimental Gerontology. 2020;137:110972. doi:10.1016/j.exger.2020.110972
Martens CR, Denman BA, Mazzo MR, et al.Chronic nicotinamide riboside supplementation is well-tolerated and elevates NAD+ in healthy middle-aged and older adults.Nature Communications. 2018;9(1). doi:10.1038/s41467-018-03421-7
Trammell SA, Yu L, Redpath P, Migaud ME, Brenner C.Nicotinamide riboside is a major NAD+ precursor vitamin in cow milk.The Journal of Nutrition. 2016;146(5):957-963. doi:10.3945/jn.116.230078
Song M, Armenian SH, Bhandari R, et al.Exercise training and NR supplementation to improve muscle mass and fitness in adolescent and young adult hematopoietic cell transplant survivors: a randomized controlled trial.BMC Cancer. 2022;22(1):795. doi:10.1186/s12885-022-09845-1
Food and Drug Administration.NDI 1259 - B-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) from Inner Mongolia Kingdomway Pharmaceutical Limited.
Braidy N, Liu Y.NAD+ therapy in age-related degenerative disorders: A benefit/risk analysis.Experimental Gerontology. 2020;132:110831. doi:10.1016/j.exger.2020.110831
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