Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is crucial for energy production, DNA repair, and cellular health. The easiest way to boost NAD+ is to take a nicotinamide riboside (NR) supplement. NAD+ can be supplemented intravenously with an injection, but NR is a precursor to NAD+, available as an oral supplement, and effectively raises NAD+ levels in the body—no injections required.
Although an NAD+ supplement won’t live up to TikTok’s claims about “reversing aging,” increasing NAD+ levels in the body through an NR supplement can support healthy mitochondrial function, cellular maintenance, and repair to support healthy aging, says Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN. In turn, it may benefit adults over age 40 who want to be proactive about healthy aging at the cellular level.
To select the best NAD+ supplements, we spoke with two registered dietitians, reviewed the research on their benefits, and evaluated the supplement options on the market. We considered their form, dosage, third-party testing, brand reputability, and other ingredients.
NMN Supplements
Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is another NAD+ precursor that increases NAD+ levels. However, in 2022, the FDA banned using NMN as a legal supplement. For this reason, we do not include any NMN supplements in this roundup.
Benefits of NAD+ Supplements
Most benefits of NAD+ supplements are short-term studies and more long-term studies in humans are needed. These are the following benefits NAD+ supplements could offer:
- Promotes Optimal Aging. Aging is caused by molecular and cellular damage over time. Things that contribute to aging include a decline of NAD+, sun exposure, a high-fat diet, alcohol consumption, and lack of sleep, says Amidor. She explains that optimizing NAD+ production through an NR supplement can support healthy aging.
- Supports Cognitive Functioning. Some research suggests that increasing NAD+ levels through supplementing with its precursors may help treat age-related cognitive decline, but more research is needed.
- Help With Energy Levels. Your cells need NAD+ to convert food into energy, so increasing NAD+ levels may help combat fatigue and improve overall energy levels, says Caroline Thomason, RD, CDCES.
- May Improve Cardiovascular Health. Preliminary studies show promising benefits of NAD+ on heart health through reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. In research on mice, NAD+ has reduced heart failure, diabetic cardiomyopathy, cardiac stiffness, and more, but human studies are necessary to confirm these benefits.
Our Top Picks
What Registered Dietitians Want You To Know
- Types of NAD+ supplements: While supplementing with NAD+ intravenously is popular with celebrities, it is expensive and hard to access. Plus, it can cause unpleasant side effects like headache, diarrhea, and nausea, says Amidor. A more convenient way to get NAD+ is by taking nicotinamide riboside (NR)—an NAD+ precursor in the supplement form. NR is a small molecule that can enter cells directly, is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA, and effectively boosts NAD+ levels in the body.
- How much to take: Experts recommend starting with 300 milligrams of NR and increasing your dose based on your tolerance, says Thomason.
- What to expect: Studies show that NR can raise NAD+ levels within a couple of weeks. You may notice changes in energy levels after supplementation, but some cellular changes may not be overtly evident.
- Potential side effects: According to Amidor, there are no known contraindications between NR and prescription medication or other supplements, nor are there any known adverse effects. However, research is ongoing with larger studies in humans. If you have cancer or a personal or family history of cancer, speak with a healthcare provider before taking an NAD+ supplement. NAD+ has not been shown to cause cancer and may even help prevent it.
- Seek a professional if: If you are taking an NAD+ supplement and experience digestive discomfort or distress, reduce your dose and consult a healthcare professional, advises Thomason.
Editor’s Note
Our team of registered dietitians reviews and evaluates every single supplement we recommend according to our dietary supplement methodology. From there, a registered dietitian on our Medical Expert Board reviews each article for scientific accuracy. Always speak with a healthcare professional before adding a supplement to your routine to ensure that the supplement is appropriate for your individual needs and which dosage to take.
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Amazon
Key Specs
Serving size: 1 capsule | Form: NR | Dosage Per Serving: 300 milligrams | Third-Party Tested: Yes, Alkemist Assured
Why We Recommend It
Tru Niagen is third-party tested and was crafted by two Nobel Prize winners. It uses a patented form of NR backed by over 300 scientific studies. This product is a good option if you want a simple, high-quality NR supplement because its only active ingredient is nicotinamide riboside chloride, and each capsule has 300 milligrams. One study found that taking 300 milligrams of Niagen daily increased NAD+ levels by 51% in just two weeks.
Plus, Thomason says that 300 milligrams or less is a good dose to start with. You can increase the dose if you’d like based on tolerance, so we like that this supplement gives you the flexibility to increase or decrease the dose as needed.
Keep In Mind
- If you want a higher dose, it’s more cost-effective to buy Tru Niagen Pro
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Amazon
Key Specs
Serving size: 8 capsules | Form: NR | Dosage Per Serving: 45 milligrams | Third-Party Tested: No
Why We Recommend It
Thorne is a well-respected name in the supplement world. Their Advanced Nutrients supplement has various ingredients to help with aging, including 45 milligrams of NR (Nicotinamide Riboside). Alongside NR, it contains key nutrients for older adults, like vitamin B12, vitamin D, and calcium.
This supplement also includes resveratrol, which, when combined with NAD+ boosters, is known to potentially benefit blood glucose and cholesterol, says Thomason. It even contains other antioxidants like quercetin, carotenoids, and bilberry extract, which can further protect body cells from damage.
While an eight-capsule serving is a lot, it also means you can fine-tune the dosage since one serving has well over the daily value of most of the included nutrients.
Keep In Mind
- Eight capsules can be an overwhelming amount to take.
- Each serving has just 45 milligrams of NR. It’s a good option for a multivitamin with a little added NAD+ booster.
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Amazon
Key Specs
Serving size: 1 capsule | Form: NR | Dosage Per Serving: 415 milligrams | Third-Party Tested: Yes, NSF Certified for Sport
Why We Recommend It
Third-party certification is all the more important if you’re a competitive athlete, so we like that Thorne’s NiaCel 400 is NSF Certified for Sport. This means that it’s been tested for unsafe contaminants, banned substances, and ingredient accuracy. Thorne is a reputable supplement manufacturer trusted by many sports teams and organizations.
Its only two active ingredients are NR and betaine anhydrous. Betaine is an amino acid with potential benefits for exercise performance and muscle strength. More specifically, some studies have found that supplementing with betaine improves endurance and muscle power while reducing fatigue.
Each one-capsule serving contains 415 milligrams of NR. This amount falls well within the safe dosage and may raise NAD+ levels quicker than the typical 300-milligram-per-serving options. Plus, you get this higher dose in just one capsule.
Keep In Mind
- Supplementing with NR hasn’t been shown to improve athletic performance specifically, but researchers are examining whether it might be helpful for those who exercise and are deficient in NAD+.
- Each capsule is almost an inch long, so it may be tricky to take if you have a hard time swallowing pills.
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Amazon
Key Specs
Serving size: 1 capsule | Form: NR | Dosage Per Serving: 300 milligrams | Third-Party Tested: Yes
Why We Recommend It
Life Extension is another reputable brand. Their NAD+ Cell Regenerator and Resveratrol Elite provide an evidence-based dose of NR plus antioxidants like resveratrol and quercetin. These antioxidants are known for their potential to support heart health and reduce inflammation, making them a great addition to your supplement routine. It uses the same patented, evidence-backed form of NR as TruNiagen.
Resveratrol found naturally in wine, has been shown to improve cholesterol and glucose levels, supporting cardiovascular health. Quercetin, another key ingredient, may reduce inflammation and help manage inflammatory conditions like asthma, arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Some studies show that combining NR with these antioxidants effectively raises NAD+ levels and may even raise them more effectively than NR alone. Plus, the amounts in this supplement are well within safe doses, and it only takes one capsule to get a full serving.
Keep In Mind
- The antioxidants in this supplement can interact with a number of different medications, including antidiabetic drugs, antibiotics, warfarin, and more.
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Amazon
- NSF Certified for Sport
- Clinically effective dose
- High-quality, patented form
Key Specs
Serving size: 2 capsules | Form: NR | Dosage Per Serving: 1,000 milligrams | Third-Party Tested: Yes, NSF Certified for Sport
Why We Recommend It
Tru Niagen Pro contains the same patented, evidence-backed form of NR in our Best NR Supplement pick, Tru Niagen, just in a higher dose and is NSF Certified for Sport. The dosage of 1000 milligrams comes from a two-capsule serving containing only the active ingredient Niagen.
This a good option if you’re looking for a larger dosee to help raise NAD+ levels even more than the other products on this list. Specifically, this dosage has been shown to increase NAD+ levels up to 142% in just two weeks. One study found that taking 1,000 milligrams of NR for 21 days reduced circulating inflammatory cytokines, which signal inflammation in the body.
Keep In Mind
- Start with a 300-milligram supplement first to see how you tolerate it.
How We Select the Best NAD+ Supplements
To select our top picks, we spoke with two registered dietitians about the NAD+ supplements they recommend and what to look for in an NAD+ supplement. Then, we combed through NAD+ supplements and considered the following factors to select our top picks:
- Third-party testing. To ensure the label is accurate, we verified that the products we included are third-party tested and/or made by reputable supplement manufacturers.
- Dosage. The dosage of an NAD+ supplement may impact how well you tolerate it and how well it works. So, we selected ones with a moderate and/or flexible-dose for various health needs.
- Other ingredients. We considered the additional ingredients and how they impact the overall health benefits or risks of an NAD+ supplement—for example, Thorne’s Advanced Nutrients functions as a multivitamin with added benefits for optimal aging.
- Form. We selected NR supplements because this NAD+ booster is small enough to enter your cells directly, according to Amidor. Therefore, she says NR is 25% more effective than NMN at raising blood NAD+ levels.
Why Third-Party Testing Is Important
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate supplements for purity and potency, meaning some supplements may contain different ingredients or amounts than the label states. Therefore, it’s important to purchase third-party tested supplements whenever possible. This ensures that what the label states is accurate and there are no unlisted contaminants.
Reputable third-party testing agencies include ConsumerLab.com, NSF, and USP; however, it can be expensive for manufacturers to pay for these certifications. If a supplement isn’t tested by one of these agencies, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad, but it’s worth looking into the brand’s reputability and the measures they take to ensure the quality of their products.
It’s especially important for NAD+ booster supplements to be third-party tested because research shows they are prone to mislabeling. Amidor says that a 2021 analysis evaluating the top-selling NMN products on Amazon found that 64% of them had less than 1% of the NMN they claimed to contain.
Ingredients To Pay Attention To
- NMN. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned this NAD+ precursor, but some continue to sell it. According to Amidor, it’s notorious for inaccurate labeling.
- Resveratrol. This antioxidant may help expand blood vessels, reduce inflammation, lower blood sugars, and more. While some studies show potential benefits from resveratrol supplements, research is mixed. Plus, it can interact with medications broken down by the liver and ones that slow blood clotting.
- Betaine anhydrous. This amino acid is found naturally in wheat products, spinach, and beets. Emerging research shows that it may improve sports performance, and you may see it in some NAD+ booster supplements.
Our Experts
We spoke with two registered dietitians about their favorite NAD+ boosters, the benefits of NAD+, what to look for in an NAD+ supplement, and safety considerations to be aware of. The experts we spoke to include:
- Caroline Thomason, RD, CDCES, a dietitian based in Washington, DC
- Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN award-winning nutrition expert and partner with Tru Niagen
Why Trust Verywell Health
Isabel Vasquez RD, LDN is a registered dietitian, experienced freelance health and nutrition writer, and the founder of Nourishing Narratives LLC. Her work is especially focused on helping individuals divest from a one-size-fits-all approach to health and connect with their unique needs. In her work as a dietitian, she regularly examines supplements to ensure they are high-quality before recommending them to her patients, clients, and readers.
