Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is a form of vitamin B3. It is converted to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) in the body. NAD+ acts as a coenzyme and is important for cellular energy production. Nicotinamide riboside is available as a supplement. It may have some potential health benefits including anti-aging. For instance, increasing NAD+ may help with aging. To optimize benefit, choosing the right dose is important. Learn about Nicotinamide riboside, its benefits, and how it supports healthy aging by visiting Healthnews.

This article reviews some of the potential beneficial doses of Nicotinamide riboside supplement.

Factors Affecting NR Dosage

The amount of NR a person should take will vary. There are no official dosing recommendations on how much NR a person should take daily. Additionally, there are factors that can impact the dose taken. Factors such as age, health conditions, and lifestyle can affect the dose you may take. Learn more below.  

Age

The amount of NAD+ levels decrease as individuals get older. Younger people may be able to take lower doses compared to senior adults. In one study, NR has been shown to increase levels of NAD+ in skeletal muscle of adults. NR also revealed anti-inflammatory properties that may help with aging. Adult men in this study were given 1 gram of NR per day for 21 days.

Health conditions

Certain health conditions may influence how your body responds to NR. NR is converted to NAD+ by the liver. Conditions like liver disease may interfere with this conversion. Higher doses of NR may be needed. Other conditions like diabetes and kidney disease may also play a role. In one study, adults diabetic nonalcoholic fatty liver disease took 1000 mg of NR daily for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, lower levels of cholesterol were observed. Discuss your conditions with your doctor before beginning NR supplementation.

Lifestyle factors

Nicotinamide riboside is found in certain foods. Varying amounts of NR can be obtained from milk, beer, certain fish, and bread. If you are consuming NR from food, you may consider using lower doses of NR. Alternatively, depending on your level of physical activity you may benefit from higher doses of NR.

Additionally, individuals will respond to nicotinamide riboside supplementation differently. Doses of the best NR supplement range from 250 mg to 600 mg. Clinical studies have supported that doses up to 3,000 mg daily are safe.

Recommended NR Dosage

As mentioned, the ideal dose of NR depends on age, existing health conditions and lifestyle factors. In many studies, the dose of NR ranged from 250 mg to 500 mg per day. These doses were effective for increasing NAD+ levels in relatively young and healthy adults.  

Higher doses of NR have been used in trials of patients with liver fibrosis and heart failure. In a small study of heart failure patients, 1000 mg twice daily, significantly increased NAD+ levels. Higher doses may also be needed in older patients due to the decrease of NAD+ levels. Higher doses of NR, up to 2,000 mg daily, may also be needed for patients with obesity or insulin resistance. Close monitoring by a healthcare professional is recommended.

How to choose the right NR supplement

After choosing the best dose, the next step is selecting a product. Consider the below factors when researching NR products.  

•  Product purity and quality. It is a good idea to seek out products that were produced under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). The FDA created these regulations to ensure the production of high-quality supplements. These products are safe and the description of the product on the label is accurate.

•  Dosage form. NR supplements are available currently as oral supplements. Consider choosing supplements formulated to enhance absorption. This may include products with special delivery systems that aid in absorption.

• Additional ingredients. Be cautious of products that use a lot of fillers and inactive ingredients that you may be allergic too. Alternatively, you may benefit from supplements that combine NR with other supplements. This can decrease the pill burden associated with taking supplements.

• Health claims. Products that claim to cure or treat a disease should be avoided. At this time, no research has proven that NR can cure any health condition.

Potential side effects of NR

There are limited side effects associated with the use of nicotinamide riboside. Side effects are generally seen with higher doses. Some side effects that may be experienced include:

• Nausea

• Bloating

• Tiredness

• Headaches

• Itching

Also, NR may interact with certain medications. Specifically, it may interact with statin medications. Statin medications help manage cholesterol levels in the body. Nicotinamide riboside may enhance the effect of these drugs.

People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or under the age of 18 need to consult with a doctor before using NR supplements.

Conclusion

Nicotinamide riboside supplements may have some benefits for aging and other health conditions. Doses will vary and individual response to NR will vary. Higher doses may be needed for older patients with chronic conditions. If you are considering supplementation, speak with your doctor. Your healthcare provider can advise if this supplement is suitable for your health needs.