Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) is a form of vitamin B3 that serves as a precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a coenzyme involved in hundreds of metabolic processes including cellular energy production, DNA repair, and mitochondrial function. Research suggests that NAD+ levels naturally decline with age, and supplementing with NR may help restore these levels, which has generated significant interest in the areas of anti-aging and neuroprotection. Studies indicate that NR supplementation can increase NAD+ concentrations in human blood and may support mitochondrial health, potentially benefiting energy levels, muscle recovery, and cognitive resilience, though much of the evidence remains in early clinical or preclinical stages. Commonly available as Niagen or TruNiagen, NR continues to be an active area of investigation as researchers work to better understand its long-term effects in humans.
Compare this supplementResearch suggests that nicotinamide riboside (NR) and related NAD+-boosting compounds have generated considerable sci...
View studies →Research suggests that the evidence for NR supporting muscle recovery is limited and mixed. The most directly relevan...
View studies →Research suggests that NAD+ precursor metabolism plays a meaningful role in axon degeneration and neuroprotection, wi...
View studies →These are commonly referenced dosage ranges for this supplement. They are not medical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare provider before supplementing.
| Form | Dose range | Frequency | Studied for | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capsule | 500 mg | Daily | anti-aging and metabolic health | Frequently used dose in RCTs examining NAD+ levels and metabolic outcomes (Martens et al., 2018) |
| Capsule | 1,000 mg | Daily | energy, fatigue, and neuroprotection | Used in trials targeting neurological and energy endpoints (Dollerup et al., 2018; Elhassan et al., 2019) |
| Capsule | 250–300 mg | Daily | general health and NAD+ elevation | Common starting dose in early clinical trials (Trammell et al., 2016; Airhart et al., 2017) |
| Capsule | 500–1,000 mg | Twice daily | muscle recovery and mitochondrial function | Split dosing used in trials assessing skeletal muscle NAD+ and physical performance (Canto et al. framework; Remie et al., 2020) |
| Powder | 1,000–2,000 mg | Daily | neuroprotection and high-dose NAD+ replenishment | Higher dose range explored in safety and tolerability studies (Martens et al., 2018; Dellinger et al., 2017) |