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NAD+ precursor / Sirtuin pathway support

Nicotinamide · Nicotinamide (Niacinamide, NAM) — amide form of vitamin B3

A vitamin B3 form and direct NAD+ precursor with the strongest Phase 3 RCT evidence on this list, showing a 23% reduction in new non-melanoma skin cancers in a large clinical trial.

A
Evidence grade
Replicated human RCTs with hard endpoints

Short answer

This is the single strongest piece of human RCT evidence on this entire list: a 386-person, industry-independent, NEJM-published Phase 3 trial found a statistically significant 23% reduction in new non-melanoma skin cancers with 1000 mg/day nicotinamide over 12 months. This isn't a longevity-lifespan trial per se, but it is genuinely A-grade human RCT evidence for a specific, clinically meaningful outcome.

Product and dose overview

Nicotinamide (Nicotinamide (Niacinamide, NAM) — amide form of vitamin B3) is a NAD+ precursor / sirtuin pathway support with evidence grade A, meaning it is well-supported by replicated human trials. We track 1 products containing Nicotinamide. Typical doses range from 500 to 500 mg per serving. The top-ranked product scores 6.1 out of 10 on our composite scale (dose, evidence, price, testing, transparency). Prices range up to $270.00 per month.

Evidence grade: A Products in database: 1 Category: NAD+ precursor / Sirtuin pathway support

Top Nicotinamide products

ProductBrandDosePrice/mo3rd-party testedScore
Advanced IDID Formulas500 mg$270.00No6.1

Scores are editorial judgments, not a scientific standard. See how we score.

What it is

Nicotinamide is one of the two common forms of vitamin B3 supplements (the other being niacin), and unlike niacin, doesn't cause the characteristic skin flush. It is a precursor in the NAD+ salvage pathway.

Why people take it

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a cofactor essential for hundreds of metabolic reactions and for activating sirtuins, proteins strongly implicated in cellular aging and DNA repair. NAD+ levels decline with age, making NAD+ precursors like nicotinamide a major focus of longevity research (alongside NR and NMN).

Our verdict

This is the single strongest piece of human RCT evidence on this entire list: a 386-person, industry-independent, NEJM-published Phase 3 trial found a statistically significant 23% reduction in new non-melanoma skin cancers with 1000 mg/day nicotinamide over 12 months. This isn't a longevity-lifespan trial per se, but it is genuinely A-grade human RCT evidence for a specific, clinically meaningful outcome.

Structure & class

Nicotinamide feeds into the NAD+ salvage pathway via nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), replenishing cellular NAD+ pools that decline with age and are consumed by NAD+-dependent enzymes including sirtuins (SIRT1) and PARPs (relevant to DNA repair).

Mechanism & clinical data

The landmark ONTRAC trial (Chen et al. 2015, NEJM) randomized 386 high-risk patients to 500 mg nicotinamide twice daily (1000 mg/day total) or placebo for 12 months, finding a statistically significant 23% reduction in new non-melanoma skin cancers (p=0.02) and a 30% reduction specifically in squamous cell carcinomas — one of the most rigorous positive RCTs in the entire longevity supplement space. Subsequent reviews have confirmed this finding's robustness, and a large retrospective VA cohort study (33,822 patients) found similarly positive associations, though this observational follow-up has been methodologically critiqued. Mechanistically, nicotinamide replenishes NAD+ via the salvage pathway and stimulates SIRT1 activity, though at very high doses nicotinamide can paradoxically inhibit sirtuins, a dose-dependent nuance noted in the mechanistic literature.

Pharmacokinetics

Plasma half-life of approximately 4-6 hours in humans; typically dosed twice daily to maintain steady levels, as used in the ONTRAC trial (500 mg BID).

Dose & forms

Trial dose
1000 mg
/ day
Range in trials
500 to 1000 mg
/ day
Common forms
capsule, tablet, powder

What to watch out for

Very high doses (well above 1000 mg/day, e.g. 3g+) have been associated with liver enzyme elevations and, paradoxically, sirtuin inhibition rather than activation; distinct from niacin (nicotinic acid), which causes flushing and has different metabolic effects — the two forms of B3 are not interchangeable.

Where this dose comes from

The trial dose above is our editorial pick from the published human trials for this ingredient. We choose the dose that the best-available studies used on the endpoint most relevant to longevity. The range shows the lowest and highest doses tested in published trials. The landmark studies below are the papers we read to set it. You can click through and check our work.

When new trials publish, our automated sweeps flag them. If a new study materially changes the dose, we update it through editorial review and record the old dose, new dose, and the triggering study in every affected product's recommendation history. The dose is never changed automatically.

Regulatory status

EUAuthorized vitamin form sold as a food supplement, with an established Tolerable Upper Intake Level set by EFSA.
USFDA-recognized vitamin, sold as a dietary supplement under DSHEA; also available in higher-dose prescription/OTC forms for niacin deficiency.
UKAuthorized food supplement vitamin form under retained EU rules.
CAApproved vitamin ingredient under Health Canada's Natural Health Products framework.

Timeline

Regulatory events, evidence grade changes, and key research milestones for Nicotinamide, most recent first. Studies link to the paper; regulatory entries name and link the responsible authority.

  • 2025-04 Regulatory single source
    EU Court sharpens the bar for botanical health claims
    A Court of Justice of the European Union ruling in April 2025 further tightened the requirements for how botanical ingredients (herbs, plant extracts) can be marketed with health claims in the EU, effectively removing much of the flexibility of the on-hold list.
  • 2024-06 Regulatory confirmed
    EU report identifies 117 supplement substances as potential health risks
    The HoA Working Group on Food Supplements (26 European countries) published its first report evaluating 117 substances used in food supplements. Of these, 65 were assessed as likely novel foods, 6 were already regulated, 34 had insufficient data, and 12 were prioritized for Article 8 restriction under Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006. The 12 priority substances include ashwagandha, curcumin, melatonin, piperine, St. John's wort, coumarin, p-synephrine, maca, holy basil, Melaleuca, black cohosh, and L-tryptophan. The report drew on 1,500 RASFF alerts reviewed between 2017 and mid-2022.
    Source →
  • 2015 Research milestone
    Chen AC, et al. (2015). A Phase 3 Randomized Trial of Nicotinamide for Skin-Cancer Chemoprevention (ONTRAC). N Engl J Med. 373(17):1618-1626. PMID 26488693.
    Chen AC, et al. (2015). A Phase 3 Randomized Trial of Nicotinamide for Skin-Cancer Chemoprevention (ONTRAC). N Engl J Med. 373(17):1618-1626. PMID 26488693.
    Source →
  • 2006-12 Regulatory confirmed
    EU Health Claims Regulation adopted
    Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 laid down harmonised rules for nutrition and health claims made on foods, including supplements. Only claims listed in the EU Register of authorised claims can be used. Rejected botanical claims are held in a separate on-hold list.
    Source →
  • 1997 Regulatory confirmed
    EU introduces the Novel Food Regulation
    Regulation (EC) No 258/97 required any food or food ingredient without a history of consumption in the EU before 15 May 1997 to be authorised before being placed on the market. This is the framework that captures NMN, spermidine as a supplement ingredient, urolithin A, and many other longevity actives.
    Source →

Landmark studies

Found in these products (1)

All products in our catalog that contain Nicotinamide, ranked by our overall score. Ranking is editorial, never paid.

ID Formulas
Advanced ID
Longevity stack
Ingredients listed
10 ingredients listedlargest listed: Collagen Peptides 5 g
Price per serving
$9.00$270.00 · 30 servings
Testing
None listed

EPA/DHA split not stored

Status as recorded in the catalog from brand materials; not independently verified by NO1GEVITY.

Score & research context 6.1/10

Editorial score, not proof that this product works. Research-dose calculations are not dosing advice.

100%
of trial dose
$18.00
per research-dose day, not label serving
0Trial dose2×
Catalog price · Confirm current price with www.idformulas.com
Editorial guides

Buying guides and comparisons

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Product shelves
See all in Longevity stack (1)

See Nicotinamide in context: the mechanism it acts through, the biomarker it moves, the products that dose it, and the trials that tested it.

View Nicotinamide on the Longevity Map →

Frequently asked questions

What is Nicotinamide?

Nicotinamide is one of the two common forms of vitamin B3 supplements (the other being niacin), and unlike niacin, doesn't cause the characteristic skin flush. It is a precursor in the NAD+ salvage pathway.

What dose of Nicotinamide should I take?

The trial dose in published human studies is 1000 mg per day, with a range of 500 to 1000 mg per day. Always consult a qualified clinician before starting any supplement.

Is Nicotinamide safe?

Very high doses (well above 1000 mg/day, e.g. 3g+) have been associated with liver enzyme elevations and, paradoxically, sirtuin inhibition rather than activation; distinct from niacin (nicotinic acid), which causes flushing and has different metabolic effects — the two forms of B3 are not interchangeable.

What is the best Nicotinamide supplement?

We track 1 products containing Nicotinamide. The top-ranked product scores 6.1 out of 10 on our composite scale, which evaluates dose, evidence, price, third-party testing, and transparency. See the comparison table above. Scores are editorial judgments, not a scientific standard.

What is the evidence grade for Nicotinamide?

Nicotinamide has evidence grade A, meaning it is well-supported by replicated human trials. Grade A means replicated human RCTs with hard endpoints. Grade B means human RCTs with biomarker outcomes. Grade C means mixed or small human trials. See our evidence grading methodology.

Independently checked

Data verification

Evidence grade
A
Replicated human RCTs with hard endpoints
Research dose
1000 mg
Products tracked
1
Updated continuously
Safety signal
Very high doses (well above 1000 mg/day, e.g. 3g+) have b...

Evidence grades are reviewed when new human RCTs are published. Product counts update automatically as new products are added. Dose ranges reflect published trial data, not brand recommendations. Read how we verify.