Nicotinamide riboside (Nicotinamide Riboside Chloride)
Synopsis of nicotinamide riboside
Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is a naturally occurring form of vitamin B3 and a direct precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺), a coenzyme that plays a vital role in energy metabolism, DNA repair, cell signaling, and aging-related cellular health. It is found in trace amounts in milk and some other foods, but therapeutic doses are obtained through supplementation.
NR is part of a class of NAD+ precursors, along with niacin, niacinamide (nicotinamide), and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), but it has unique advantages: it is highly bioavailable and efficiently boosts NAD+ levels in tissues such as the brain, liver, muscle, and heart. NAD+ levels decline naturally with age and are further depleted by stress, poor diet, alcohol consumption, and chronic illness. Restoring NAD+ is considered critical for supporting mitochondrial function, cellular repair, and longevity pathways.
NR supplementation is used to support:
- Anti-aging and cellular health: By raising NAD+, NR supports sirtuin activity, autophagy, and mitochondrial biogenesis—mechanisms associated with longevity, metabolic efficiency, and stress resilience.
- Brain health: Preclinical studies suggest NR may protect neurons, improve memory, and guard against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, though more human trials are needed.
- Cardiovascular support: NR may improve endothelial function, reduce arterial stiffness, and lower inflammation markers linked to atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome.
- Muscle and metabolic function: It may improve endurance, glucose metabolism, and mitochondrial performance in muscle tissues, particularly in older adults or those with metabolic dysfunction.
Standard supplemental doses range from 100 to 500 mg per day, with some studies using up to 1,000 mg daily. It is well-tolerated, with mild side effects such as nausea or fatigue reported in some cases.
Historical Use
Unlike classic herbs or older vitamin forms, nicotinamide riboside is a recent discovery, first identified in the early 2000s during research into NAD+ metabolism. Its potential to enhance cellular NAD+ without the side effects of high-dose niacin (like flushing) or niacinamide (which can inhibit sirtuins at high doses) sparked interest in both the scientific community and wellness industry.
NR became commercially available as a supplement in the 2010s, popularized by companies like ChromaDex (makers of Tru Niagen®), who hold key patents on its synthesis and use. Since then, it has become a central ingredient in the longevity and biohacking movements, often grouped with resveratrol, PQQ, NMN, and CoQ10 in mitochondrial health formulas.
While it lacks a traditional medical history, NR embodies a new phase of nutrient therapy, aimed not only at treating deficiencies but enhancing biological resilience, slowing aging, and preventing chronic disease at the cellular level.
Nicotinamide riboside is used for these health conditions
Aging (prevention) (Scientific)
Alzheimer's Disease (Scientific)
Cardiovascular Disease (Scientific)
Cholesterol (high) (Scientific)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (Scientific)
Circulation (poor) (Scientific)
Concentration (poor) (Scientific)
Congestive Heart Failure (Scientific)
Diabetes (Scientific)
Fatigue (Scientific)
Fatty Liver Disease (Scientific)
Free Radical Damage (Scientific)
Inflammation (Scientific)
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders (Scientific)
Memory and Brain Function (Scientific)
Metabolic Syndrome (Scientific)
Multiple Sclerosis (Scientific)
Nerve Damage (Scientific)
Parkinson's Disease (Scientific)
Peripheral Neuropathy (Scientific)
Senility (Scientific)
nicotinamide riboside is used to support these body systems
Brain (Scientific)
Circulatory System (Scientific)
Heart (Scientific)
Hepatic System (Scientific)
Immune System (Scientific)
Liver (Scientific)
Mitochondria (Scientific)
Muscles (Scientific)
Nerves (Scientific)
Skin (Scientific)
