Nicotinamide (NAM) and nicotinamide riboside (NR) are forms of vitamin B3. Vitamin B3 is a family of related compounds that the body converts into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). NAD+ is important because our cells need it to produce energy and maintain themselves, ultimately leading to healthier aging.
Nicotinamide — also known as niacinamide — is a simpler, more commonly found form of B3. In contrast, nicotinamide riboside is a modified B3 form with a sugar molecule attached that's been researched for its potential better absorption and readiness to be converted into NAD+ [1].
The Key Differences in Nicotinamide and Nicotinamide Riboside
The main difference between nicotinamide and nicotinamide riboside is how the body uses them to create NAD+:
-
Nicotinamide enters the salvage pathway, where it’s recycled into NAD+. This is a longer pathway.
-
Nicotinamide riboside enters a more direct route called the NRK pathway, which is considered more efficient in some cases.
Some research suggests that nicotinamide might slow down specific proteins called sirtuins — which are important for DNA repair — but this effect is only temporary. Once inside the cells, nicotinamide converts into NAD+, restoring and enhancing sirtuin activity over time [2].
Conversely, NR doesn’t cause this temporary slowdown and may offer a more consistent way to boost NAD⁺ and support sirtuins — especially in higher-dose or performance-focused supplements.
|
Feature |
Nicotinamide (NAM) |
Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) |
|
Type |
Basic form of vitamin B3 |
Modified form of nicotinamide with a ribose sugar attached |
|
Found in |
Multivitamins, foods like meat and fish |
Supplements: small amounts in milk and yeast |
|
Pathway to NAD+ |
Converts to NAD+ through standard salvage pathway |
Converts to NAD+ through a unique, more efficient NRK pathway |
|
Effect on enzymes |
Nicotinamide (NAM) has been shown to temporarily inhibit sirtuin activity, but this effect is short-lived because NAM is quickly recycled back into NAD+, which is required for sirtuins to function [2]. |
Does not inhibit sirtuins. Supports NAD+ and sirtuin activity |
|
Flushing |
No flushing |
No flushing |
|
Supplement use |
Common in multivitamins and skincare |
Used for NAD+ support, healthy aging, metabolism, and energy |
Nicotinamide vs. Nicotinamide Riboside: Which is Better?
When it comes to nicotinamide and nicotinamide riboside, one isn’t necessarily better than the other — it really depends on your health goals.
You might be able to find nicotinamide under the name niacinamide, which is widely used, affordable, and found in most multivitamin formulations. It helps prevent vitamin B3 deficiency, promotes healthy skin, and supports general wellness.
NR supplements are a more advanced form of vitamin B3 as they take a much more direct pathway to create NAD+. Because of this, NR has been the focus of research related to cellular metabolism and aging [1].
At the end of the day, if you're looking for general B3 support, nicotinamide works — and you're most likely getting a healthy supply in your regular multivitamins. But if your goal is to optimize NAD+ levels for long-term cellular wellness and healthy aging, then nicotinamide riboside is the better choice.
Does Nicotinamide vs Nicotinamide Riboside Work Faster?
Nicotinamide riboside is often considered to work faster and more efficiently when it comes to raising NAD+ levels, thanks to its unique pathway (the NRK pathway). This allows it to bypass several conversion steps that nicotinamide has to go through.
Nicotinamide and Nicotinamide Riboside Supplements
NAM and NR both help the body make more NAD+, which is a good thing for maintaining healthy cellular processes, but NR tends to deliver faster and more direct results in elevating NAD+ levels in the body.
This is because NR is a much more direct precursor to NAD+ and requires fewer steps for its conversion compared to the more common vitamin B3 compound NAM.
Resources:
-
Mehmel, M., Jovanović, N., & Spitz, U. (2020). Nicotinamide riboside—the current state of research and therapeutic uses. Nutrients, 12(6), 1616.
-
Hwang, E. S., & Song, S. B. (2017). Nicotinamide is an inhibitor of SIRT1 in vitro, but can be a stimulator in cells. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 74, 3347-3362.
