Oral NR Supplementation for Health in Adults

Not yet recruiting at 1 trial location
JM
DR
Overseen ByDamodar Reddy
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how a supplement called nicotinamide riboside (NR) affects NAD levels, which are crucial for energy and cell health. Participants will take NR capsules daily for about a month. The trial seeks healthy adults who do not have diabetes requiring insulin and are not taking certain medications, such as blood thinners or niacin. Generally healthy individuals not on many supplements may be suitable candidates. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to scientific understanding and potentially enhance health outcomes.

Is there any evidence suggesting that oral NR supplementation is safe?

Research has shown that nicotinamide riboside (NR) is generally safe for people. Studies have found that NR is well-tolerated in amounts up to 2 grams per day. One study suggested that, with proper safety checks, NR can be safely taken in doses of 3 grams daily. Importantly, participants did not report common side effects like flushing, which often occurs with similar supplements. Overall, NR is considered safe for use in foods and supplements, with no major health issues reported.12345

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about oral NR (nicotinamide riboside) supplementation because it offers a novel approach to enhancing cellular health. Unlike most current treatments that may focus on specific symptoms or conditions, NR is a form of vitamin B3 that boosts levels of NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a crucial molecule involved in energy metabolism and cellular repair. This mechanism is unique as it targets the root of cellular aging and damage, potentially offering benefits across a range of health conditions. Additionally, its oral administration makes it convenient and easy for daily use, which could improve adherence compared to more invasive options.

What evidence suggests that oral NR supplementation might be an effective treatment for increasing NAD levels?

Research has shown that nicotinamide riboside (NR) effectively increases NAD+ levels in people. One study found that NAD+ levels rose by 2.6 to 3.1 times after taking NR for 5 to 10 weeks. This increase is important because NAD+ aids in energy production and cell repair. Although NR is generally safe and well-tolerated, its effects on memory and physical abilities remain under investigation. Some research suggests it might benefit brain health, but further studies are needed to confirm these benefits.23678

Who Is on the Research Team?

JA

Joseph A. Baur, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of Pennsylvania

RR

Ravinder Reddy, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of Pennsylvania

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Inclusion Criteria

No known sensitivity to NR
If female with reproductive potential, must use highly effective contraception for at least 1 month prior to screening and during study participation
HbA1c below 8.5% and not diabetic requiring insulin
See 7 more

Exclusion Criteria

I am currently taking niacin, blood thinners, or chemotherapy drugs.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Measurement

Baseline measurements of NAD+ and metabolites using MRS, whole blood, serum, and urine collection

1 week
1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants take 1000 mcg of NR orally daily for 30 days

4 weeks
2 visits (in-person) for measurements on days 29 and 30

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Oral NR Supplementation

How Is the Trial Designed?

1

Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: NR ArmExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Pennsylvania

Lead Sponsor

Trials
2,118
Recruited
45,270,000+

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborator

Trials
1,841
Recruited
28,150,000+

Citations

Results from a pilot 4-week open-label clinical trial - PMC

Current evidence suggests that NAD+ levels can be effectively increased in humans through oral supplementation with nicotinamide riboside (NR), a NAD+ precursor ...

Effects of NAD+ supplementation with oral nicotinamide ...

These findings suggest that NR supplementation could ameliorate cognitive outcomes in older adults with PAD, potentially through mechanisms linked to improved ...

Cognitive and Alzheimer's disease biomarker effects of oral ...

Eight weeks NR supplementation is safe and lowered pTau217 concentrations but did not alter cognition as measured by conventional or novel ...

Nicotinamide Riboside—The Current State of Research and ...

When administered in AD mouse models, NR displays beneficial effects on both oxidative stress and DNA repair by increasing NAD+ levels [88]. Additionally, NR ...

Nicotinamide Riboside

NR has shown little effect in improving clinically relevant outcomes such as insulin sensitivity and physical function. Safety: NR has GRAS ...

NR-SAFE: a randomized, double-blind safety trial of high dose ...

Our results support extending the dose range of NR in phase II clinical trials to 3000 mg per day, with appropriate safety monitoring.

GRAS Notice 635: Nicotinamide riboside chloride

Intake of nicotinic acid at doses of 50 mg/day and higher consistently results in undesirable side effects, including vasodilation effects ( ...

A nonrandomized study of single oral supplementation ...

We report a human clinical trial designed to assess the efficacy of single-dose supplementation of nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3, on increasing NAD + ...