Nicotinamide riboside supplement
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Consensus Meter
Nicotinamide Riboside Supplement: Benefits and Limitations
Introduction to Nicotinamide Riboside (NR)
Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is a precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a critical coenzyme in cellular metabolism and energy production. As a member of the vitamin B-3 family, NR has garnered attention for its potential health benefits, particularly in aging and metabolic health. This article synthesizes recent research on NR supplementation, focusing on its safety, efficacy, and potential health benefits.
Safety and Tolerability of NR Supplementation
Several studies have confirmed that NR supplementation is generally safe and well-tolerated in humans. A 12-week clinical trial involving obese, insulin-resistant men found no serious adverse events and normal safety blood tests with a daily dose of 2000 mg of NR. Similarly, a study on middle-aged and older adults reported that chronic NR supplementation effectively elevated NAD+ levels without significant side effects. These findings suggest that NR is a safe supplement for various populations.
Effects on Insulin Sensitivity and Metabolic Health
Despite its safety, the efficacy of NR in improving insulin sensitivity and other metabolic parameters remains inconclusive. A study on obese men showed that 12 weeks of NR supplementation did not improve insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism, or body composition. Another trial with overweight and obese individuals also found no significant effects on insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial function, or other metabolic health markers after six weeks of NR supplementation. These results indicate that while NR is safe, its benefits for metabolic health may be limited.
Impact on Muscle Health and Physical Performance
NR supplementation has shown some promise in enhancing muscle health and physical performance, particularly in older adults. A study found that NR increased NAD+ levels in aged human skeletal muscle and exhibited anti-inflammatory effects. Another trial demonstrated that acute NR supplementation improved redox homeostasis and exercise performance in older individuals, but not in younger ones. These findings suggest that NR may benefit muscle health and physical performance, especially in populations with age-related deficiencies.
Cardiovascular Health Benefits
NR's potential cardiovascular benefits have also been explored. A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the efficacy of NR in reducing systolic blood pressure (SBP) and arterial stiffness in midlife and older adults with elevated SBP. Preliminary findings from other studies suggest that NR may help reduce blood pressure and arterial stiffness, although more research is needed to confirm these effects.
Limitations and Future Research Directions
While NR supplementation has shown some benefits, particularly in muscle health and potentially cardiovascular health, its effects on metabolic health and insulin sensitivity are less clear. A review of 25 research articles on NR supplementation highlighted the tendency to overstate the benefits and called for more rigorous studies to elucidate its actual potential. Future research should focus on long-term effects, optimal dosing, and the specific populations that may benefit most from NR supplementation.
Conclusion
Nicotinamide riboside is a promising supplement with a good safety profile and potential benefits for muscle health, physical performance, and possibly cardiovascular health. However, its efficacy in improving metabolic health and insulin sensitivity remains uncertain. Further research is needed to fully understand the scope of NR's benefits and to identify the populations that may derive the most significant advantages from its supplementation.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic