Origin & tradition
Not traditional as a longevity supplement: niacinamide is a B3 vitamin known since the 1930s and widely used in dermatology.
Western tradition · NAD Precursor
Nicotinamide (Niacinamide / B3)
The simplest and cheapest NAD+ precursor — with extensive human trial data in skin aging and DNA repair.
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Why longevity buyers care
Key active: Nicotinamide — NAD+ precursor via NAMPT salvage pathway.
Nicotinamide is metabolized via NAMPT (rate-limiting salvage enzyme). High doses (>1g) may inhibit SIRT1/PARP activity; lower doses (250–500mg) are preferred for longevity stacks. Strong human evidence for UV-induced DNA damage repair, non-melanoma skin cancer prevention, and skin aging — a unique dermatology profile not shared by NMN or NR.
Effect summary
Studied health outcomes
Editorial summary — This table is curated by hand from published research consensus, not automatically calculated from our trial database. Grades reflect our interpretation of the literature. Treat as a starting point, not a definitive verdict. See the Evidence panel below for the underlying trial and paper counts sourced directly from ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed.
| Health outcome | Effect | Magnitude | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| NAD+ levels (blood) | Increases | Strong | A |
| Skin cancer (non-melanoma) incidence | Decreases | Moderate | A |
| DNA repair markers | Increases | Moderate | B |
| Skin health (topical and oral) | Increases | Moderate | A |
| Kidney protection (CKD progression) | Decreases | Minor | C |
Grade: A = robust RCTs · B = several RCTs / meta-analysis · C = limited or mixed RCTs · D = observational or early data
Dosage guidance
How Nicotinamide (Niacinamide / B3) is typically used
- Typical dose
- 250–500 mg/day (for NAD+ support); up to 1,500 mg for skin cancer prevention
- Form
- tablet or capsule (niacinamide / nicotinamide — flush-free, distinct from niacin)
- Timing
- any time, with or without food
Nicotinamide (niacinamide) is flush-free unlike niacin. Raises NAD+ comparably to NR at a fraction of the cost. At 500mg 3×/day, it reduced skin cancer incidence in a phase 3 RCT. At very high doses (>3g/day), may inhibit sirtuins — keep dose moderate.
Informational only — not a prescription or personalised medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician before starting any supplement or medication.
Evidence summary
What the research actually says
76Evidence confidence
Extensive human-trial evidence953 randomized controlled trials · 365 meta-analyses / systematic reviews
Extensive human RCTs (skin cancer prevention, dermatology); NAD/longevity trials ongoing
Nicotinamide is metabolized via NAMPT (rate-limiting salvage enzyme). High doses (>1g) may inhibit SIRT1/PARP activity; lower doses (250–500mg) are preferred for longevity stacks. Strong human evidence for UV-induced DNA damage repair, non-melanoma skin cancer prevention, and skin aging — a unique dermatology profile not shared by NMN or NR.
67registered clinical trials reference this intervention
3selected from 4+ PubMed papers (longevity / aging angle)
Key active: Nicotinamide — NAD+ precursor via NAMPT salvage pathway.
According to PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov: trial counts from ClinicalTrials.gov, peer-reviewed literature from PubMed. Counts auto-refresh weekly; last checked 2026-06-12. They include trials across many endpoints, not only longevity.
Informational only — not medical advice, a treatment claim, or a substitute for a qualified clinician. Evidence strength varies; we show mixed and null results on purpose.
Evidence collections
Nicotinamide (Niacinamide / B3) appears in
Compare the evidence
Related ingredients
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Nicotinamide Riboside (NR)
79The leading NMN alternative — a direct NAD+ precursor with multiple RCTs confirming it safely raises NAD+ levels in humans.
Apigenin芹菜素
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Pterostilbene紫檀芪
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