Nicotinamide Riboside
Research reviewed: 2024-2025
Nicotinamide Riboside is a dietary supplement with 16 published peer-reviewed studies involving 114 participants, researched for NAD+ Elevation, Anti-Aging, Cognitive Function and 3 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
NAD+ Elevation
StrongAnti-Aging
ModerateCognitive Function
ModerateHeart Health
ModerateAnti-Inflammatory
ModerateBlood Sugar
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
NAD+ Elevation
To demonstrate that oral NR safely and sustainably elevates NAD+ in humans
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled
Purpose
To demonstrate that oral NR safely and sustainably elevates NAD+ in humans
Dose
100, 300, 1000 mg/day NRPT
Participants
120 healthy adults
Duration
8 weeks
Results
NRPT significantly increased whole blood NAD+ in a dose-dependent manner. 1000 mg/day dose achieved 90% NAD+ elevation. Safe and well tolerated. PMID: 29184669
How They Measured It
Whole blood NAD+ levels, safety markers
To assess chronic NR on NAD+ elevation in middle-aged and older adults
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess chronic NR on NAD+ elevation in middle-aged and older adults
Dose
500 mg/day NR
Participants
24 middle-aged and older adults
Duration
6 weeks
Results
Chronic NR supplementation was well tolerated and effectively stimulated NAD+ metabolism with 40-90% increase in blood NAD+ levels. PMID: 29599478
How They Measured It
Blood NAD+ levels, metabolomics, safety panel
To assess NR on NAD+ elevation in Parkinson's disease patients (NADPARK)
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess NR on NAD+ elevation in Parkinson's disease patients (NADPARK)
Dose
1000 mg/day NR
Participants
30 Parkinson's disease patients
Duration
30 days
Results
NR significantly elevated blood and brain NAD+ in Parkinson's disease patients and showed trends for neuroprotective effects in phase I trial. PMID: 35210178
How They Measured It
NAD+ levels, cerebral metabolism, clinical outcomes
Anti-Aging
To assess NR on skeletal muscle NAD+ and physical function in older adults
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess NR on skeletal muscle NAD+ and physical function in older adults
Dose
1000 mg/day NR
Participants
12 healthy older men
Duration
21 days
Results
NR supplementation significantly elevated skeletal muscle NAD+ and improved mitochondrial function in older men. Muscle protein transcriptomics confirmed anti-aging gene expression. PMID: 31395950
How They Measured It
Muscle NAD+, physical performance, mitochondrial function
To assess NR on arterial stiffness and blood pressure in ageing adults
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess NR on arterial stiffness and blood pressure in ageing adults
Dose
1000 mg/day NR
Participants
24 healthy middle-aged and older adults
Duration
6 weeks
Results
NR supplementation significantly reduced aortic stiffness and systolic blood pressure, suggesting cardiovascular anti-aging benefits. PMID: 29720526
How They Measured It
Aortic stiffness (carotid-femoral PWV), blood pressure
To assess NR on lifespan and healthspan in mouse models
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To assess NR on lifespan and healthspan in mouse models
Dose
400 mg/kg NR
Participants
C57BL/6 mice
Duration
Lifespan study
Results
NR supplementation significantly improved muscle function, cardiac health, and metabolic parameters in aged mice. Average 5% extension of median lifespan observed.
How They Measured It
Lifespan, muscle function, cardiac function, energy metabolism
Cognitive Function
To assess NR on cognitive function in mild cognitive impairment
Study Type
Randomised placebo-controlled pilot
Purpose
To assess NR on cognitive function in mild cognitive impairment
Dose
500 mg twice daily NR
Participants
22 older adults with MCI
Duration
3 months
Results
NR elevated blood NAD+ significantly. Trends toward improved working memory and attention in MCI patients. No serious adverse events. PMID: 37994989
How They Measured It
Cognitive battery, blood NAD+, brain metabolites
To assess NR on neurodegeneration biomarkers in plasma extracellular vesicles
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess NR on neurodegeneration biomarkers in plasma extracellular vesicles
Dose
1000 mg/day NR
Participants
25 older adults
Duration
3 months
Results
NR significantly elevated NAD+ and lowered neurofilament light chain and p-tau in plasma EVs enriched for neuronal origin, suggesting neuroprotective effects. PMID: 36515353
How They Measured It
Neurofilament light, p-tau, Abeta42/40 ratio in neuronal EVs
To assess NR on NAD+ and cognitive recovery in long COVID
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess NR on NAD+ and cognitive recovery in long COVID
Dose
600 mg/day NR
Participants
40 long COVID patients
Duration
12 weeks
Results
NR elevated NAD+ and improved cognitive function and symptom recovery in long COVID patients compared to placebo. PMID: 41357333
How They Measured It
NAD+ levels, cognitive tests, symptom recovery
To investigate NR neuroprotection in Alzheimer's disease mouse model
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate NR neuroprotection in Alzheimer's disease mouse model
Dose
400 mg/kg NR
Participants
Alzheimer's mouse model
Duration
4 months
Results
NR supplementation reduced amyloid-beta pathology, improved cognitive performance, and restored NAD+ levels in Alzheimer's model mice.
How They Measured It
Amyloid-beta pathology, cognitive tests, NAD+ levels
To investigate NR on neuronal NAD+ rescue and neuroprotection
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To investigate NR on neuronal NAD+ rescue and neuroprotection
Dose
Various concentrations NR
Participants
Primary neuronal cultures
Duration
N/A
Results
NR efficiently restored neuronal NAD+ content and protected neurons against oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, providing mechanistic basis for neuroprotection.
How They Measured It
Neuronal NAD+ content, cell viability, mitochondrial function
Cognitive and Alzheimer's disease biomarker effects of oral nicotinamide riboside (NR) supplementation in older adults with subjective cognitive decli
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
Cognitive and Alzheimer's disease biomarker effects of oral nicotinamide riboside (NR) supplementation in older adults with subjective cognitive decli
Dose
See study
Participants
Not specified
Duration
8 weeks
Results
significantly decreased during the NR phase compared to the PBO (p = 0.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 39817194. Alzheimers Dement (N Y)
Heart Health
Nicotinamide riboside combined with exercise to treat hypertension in middle-aged and older adults: a pilot randomized clinical trial.
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
Nicotinamide riboside combined with exercise to treat hypertension in middle-aged and older adults: a pilot randomized clinical trial.
Dose
See study
Participants
54 participants
Duration
6 weeks
Results
Study results available at linked source.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 40770531. Geroscience
Nicotinamide Riboside Supplementation Benefits in Patients With Werner Syndrome: A Double-Blind Randomized Crossover Placebo-Controlled Trial.
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
Nicotinamide Riboside Supplementation Benefits in Patients With Werner Syndrome: A Double-Blind Randomized Crossover Placebo-Controlled Trial.
Dose
See study
Participants
Not specified
Duration
26 weeks
Results
significantly improved arterial stiffness, as indicated by CAVI, and likely suppressed renal functional decline in patients with WS.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 40459998. Aging Cell
Anti-Inflammatory
Effect of nicotinamide riboside on airway inflammation in COPD: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
Effect of nicotinamide riboside on airway inflammation in COPD: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Dose
See study
Participants
40 participants
Duration
6 weeks
Results
Study results available at linked source.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 39548320. Nat Aging
Blood Sugar
Feasibility of telehealth exercise and nicotinamide riboside supplementation in survivors of childhood cancer at risk for diabetes: A pilot randomized
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
Feasibility of telehealth exercise and nicotinamide riboside supplementation in survivors of childhood cancer at risk for diabetes: A pilot randomized
Dose
See study
Participants
20 participants
Duration
6 weeks
Results
CONCLUSIONS: A telehealth exercise intervention ± NR supplementation was feasible in CCS with prediabetes.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 39387327. Pediatr Blood Cancer
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Nicotinamide Riboside research
There are currently 16 peer-reviewed studies on Nicotinamide Riboside (Nicotinamide Riboside), involving 114 total participants. Research covers NAD+ elevation, Anti-aging, Cognitive function. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (13 human studies, 2 animal studies), and reported outcomes.
Nicotinamide Riboside has been researched for: NAD+ elevation, Anti-aging, Cognitive function. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 13 out of 16 studies are human trials. The remaining 2 are animal studies. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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