Niacin, Nicotinamide & Nicotinamide Riboside

Nicotinamide riboside vs niacin — if you’ve researched supplements for aging or energy, you’ve probably seen these two forms of vitamin B3. They both help increase nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a molecule essential for cellular energy and repair. But are they the same? And which one is better for supporting healthy aging?

To make things even trickier, there’s a third form: nicotinamide (also called niacinamide). It’s another B3 variant that plays a role in the NAD+ puzzle, and it’s often lumped in with the others, even though it works differently.

This guide breaks down the differences between all three forms, how they impact longevity pathways, and how supplements like NOVOS Core and NOVOS Boost can help support healthy aging from the inside out.

Vitamin B3 Basics: What’s the Difference?

Vitamin B3 isn’t a single nutrient; rather, it’s a group of compounds that all help your body produce NAD+. NAD+ works like cellular fuel, powering your mitochondria, activating DNA repair, and helping keep cells youthful.

The most common forms of B3 are:

• Niacin (nicotinic acid)
• Nicotinamide (also called niacinamide)
• Nicotinamide riboside (NR)

Each form of B3 contributes to NAD+ production through different pathways, and these differences can affect how efficiently each is used by various tissues in the body.

Niacin: The Original B3

Niacin is the most well-known form of vitamin B3. It’s found in animal products, like turkey and beef, and in many fortified foods, such as cereals and breads. It’s also included in certain medications used to manage high blood cholesterol levels.

Key Benefits

• Supports cardiovascular health by improving HDL (“good”) cholesterol
• Converts to NAD+, although through a longer pathway
• Assists in energy metabolism and DNA repair

Potential Downsides

While niacin can raise NAD+ levels, the dose required for longevity support may cause unpleasant side effects that make it less ideal for daily use.

When taken in high doses (1–3 mg per day) as an immediate-release supplement or medication, niacin may cause an uncomfortable “flushing” sensation. This so-called “niacin flush” typically appears on the skin as redness, warmth, and itching. High doses may also affect liver function over time.

Nicotinamide: A Gentler Form

Also known as niacinamide, nicotinamide is often used in skincare products and taken as a supplement.

Key Benefits

• Generally well-tolerated, converting to NAD+ without any skin flushing
• Plays a role in DNA repair and immune support

Potential Downsides

• At high doses (1–3 mg per day), may inhibit the activity of sirtuins, enzymes that rely on NAD+ to regulate aging and mitochondrial health
• May not stimulate the creation of new mitochondria as strongly as other forms

Nicotinamide Riboside: A Promising Contender

Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is a bioavailable form of B3 that has attracted attention among researchers and those in the longevity field. Once absorbed, NR is first phosphorylated into NMN by the enzyme NRK before being converted into NAD+. Some research suggests it may be more bioavailable in some tissues, but findings are still early, and more human studies are needed to understand its full potential for healthy aging.. 

A 2022 meta-analysis of 40 clinical studies looked at various NAD+ precursors — including niacin, nicotinamide, NR, and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) — and found that niacin had the strongest effect on improving cholesterol and blood lipid levels. NR and nicotinamide didn’t show the same benefits in those areas. However, these studies tracked lipid markers only and did not assess actual longevity outcomes. Researchers also noted that this finding might be due to a lack of high-quality studies specifically focused on NR. 

Key Benefits

• Generally well-tolerated without flushing
• No known inhibition of longevity-related pathways at typical doses

Potential Drawbacks

• May be more expensive than other forms
• Not yet proven to significantly extend lifespan in humans (but shows promising longevity potential)
• NR is generally well-tolerated at doses ranging from 300 to 2,000 mg per day, and NMN from 250 to 2,000 mg per day. However, there’s limited long-term human safety data above ~1,000 mg/day for either. If you’re considering doses above 500 mg daily, it’s best to consult with a healthcare provider.

Which Is Best for Longevity?

From a longevity perspective, which form should you take as a supplement? For general health, niacin or nicotinamide in your multivitamin may suffice. To support longevity, consider supplementing with NR or NMN, such as that found in NOVOS Boost. Here’s a quick visual comparison of niacin versus nicotinamide versus nicotinamide riboside to help you decide.

NOVOS and Cellular Energy Support

Some people wonder if NAD+ precursors like NMN really work, and recent research helps us understand how they function. One study found that while only a small amount of orally taken NMN is directly absorbed, your body still puts it to work through other pathways. For example, NMN is mostly converted into NR and nicotinamide (NAM) before entering cells, where it’s then converted back into NMN and ultimately into NAD+.

For NAD+ support, NOVOS Boost delivers NMN, an NAD+ precursor similar in function to NR. Early animal and human research suggests that NMN can raise NAD+ levels and may support insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial function. 

When combined with NOVOS Core — which supports mitochondrial health with ingredients like glycine, magnesium, and alpha-ketoglutarate — you get a two-part system designed to support healthy aging.

The Bottom Line on B3 and Aging

Vitamin B3 in its various forms plays a key role in how your cells create energy and stay resilient with age. But not all forms are equal in terms of efficiency or longevity support.

If you’re serious about slowing aging and optimizing cellular health, supporting your NAD+ levels is essential. And thanks to ingredients in NOVOS Boost and NOVOS Core, you can support that goal holistically — with scientifically backed compounds that work together to help you age better, not just longer.

Ready to take the next step? Explore how our full line of longevity products can help you build a personalized strategy for living healthier for longer.