Nicotinamide Riboside (NR)

Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) is a special and advanced form of vitamin B3, also known as niacin.

What makes NR unique is that it acts as a precursor to NAD⁺ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) in the body. This makes NR a very interesting supplement, especially for healthy aging, energy metabolism, and cell repair.

NAD⁺ is a crucial coenzyme involved in numerous cellular processes such as energy production, DNA repair, and cell signaling. Because NAD⁺ levels decline as we age, NR is often studied in the context of aging; or "longevity."

According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the following health claims may be made for niacin*:

- Contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Contributes to normal psychological functioning.
- Contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes.
- Contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.


*source: EU Regulation (EU) 432/2012 and the EU Register on Nutrition and Health Claims

1. NR increases NAD⁺ levels in humans.
In a randomized, double-blind study in older adults, six weeks of NR supplementation (1,000mg/day) increased NAD⁺ levels in blood cells by an average of 60% compared to the placebo group(1). A significant increase in the substance NAAD was also noted, a biomarker of NAD⁺ metabolism.

2. NR is safe and well tolerated.
In the same study, no to hardly any side effects were reported, laboratory values ​​remained within normal ranges(1). NR has also been found to be safe in many other human studies up to at least 1,000 mg NR supplementation per day(2).

3. NR extends lifespan in certain animal models.
NR supplementation has been associated with a longer lifespan in several animal model studies(3). No long-term clinical trials have yet been designed in humans that could fully demonstrate this, but many studies with indirect evidence for this, as described in point 1, are promising.

1. Possible benefits for the heart and blood vessels.
Researchers observed a decrease in systolic blood pressure and aortic stiffness with NR supplementation of 1000mg/day, particularly in participants who already had elevated blood pressure. The decrease averaged ~9 mmHg systolic (1). These are promising, but still preliminary results.

2. Possible benefits for metabolism.
In mice, NR improves glucose regulation and lipid metabolism(4). In humans, such effects are less clear. In clinical studies in healthy subjects, no major changes in glucose or insulin have been found so far(1). The effects may be stronger in older people or in individuals with metabolic disorders, but this still needs to be investigated.

3. Possible improvements in muscle function and endurance.
In animal models, NR improves mitochondrial function, and therefore muscle function and endurance (5). One study in healthy older adults showed no improvements in muscle strength or VO₂max (1). However, the scientists who made these findings note that muscle strength and endurance were not the specific focus of this study and that the study may have been too short to detect any improvements.

At GenAge, we believe every detail matters, including the salt form of nicotinamide riboside (NR). Instead of the commonly used chloride variant, we consciously choose nicotinamide riboside hydrogen malate (NRHM). Why? Because research shows this form is more stable and better tolerated , without compromising efficacy.

Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) is a promising supplement that has been shown to increase NAD⁺ levels in the body and is well-tolerated in clinical studies. While evidence for broader health and longevity benefits in humans is still limited, early signs are encouraging—particularly in the areas of anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular health.

Future large-scale studies will be needed to determine whether NR supplementation can actually contribute to healthy aging. However, current scientific insights strongly suggest that NR could play an interesting role within the broader field of longevity research.

1. 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;9:1286. doi:10.1038/s41467-018-03421-7
2. Trammell SAJ, Schmidt MS, Weidemann BJ, et al. Nicotinamide riboside is uniquely and orally bioavailable in mice and humans. Nature Communications. 2016;7:12948. doi:10.1038/ncomms12948
3. Zhang H, Ryu D, Wu Y, et al. NAD⁺ repletion improves mitochondrial and stem cell function and enhances life span in mice. Science. 2016;352(6292):1436–1443. doi:10.1126/science.aaf2693
4. (was previously 4) Cantó C, Houtkooper RH, Pirinen E, et al. The NAD⁺ precursor nicotinamide riboside enhances oxidative metabolism and protects against high-fat diet-induced obesity. Cell Metabolism. 2012;15(6):838–847. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2012.04.022
5. (was previously 3) Ryu D, Zhang H, Ropelle ER, et al. NAD⁺ repletion improves muscle function in muscular dystrophy and counters global PARylation. Science Translational Medicine. 2016;8(361):361ra139. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.aaf5504
6. Yoshino J, Baur JA, Imai S. NAD⁺ intermediates: the biology and therapeutic potential of NMN and NR. Cell Metabolism. 2018;27(3):513–528. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2017.11.002
7. Elhassan YS, Kluckova K, Fletcher RS, et al. Nicotinamide riboside augments the human skeletal muscle NAD⁺ metabolome and induces transcriptomic and anti-inflammatory signatures. Cell Reports. 2019;28(7):1717–1728.e6. doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2019.07.043
8. 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