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.
Short answer
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 produkter containing Nicotinamide. Typical doses range from 500 to 500 mg per portion. The top-ranked product scores 5.4 out of 10 on our composite scale (dose, evidence, price, testing, transparency). Prices range up to $270.00 per månad.
Top Nicotinamide produkter
| Product | Varumärke | Dose | Pris/mo | 3rd-party tested | Poäng |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced ID | 500 mg | $270.00 | No | 5.4 |
Scores are editorial judgments, not a scientific standard. Se 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
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.
Regelverk status
Timeline
Regelverk events, evidence grade changes, and key research milestones for Nicotinamide, most recent first. Every entry links to its primär source.
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EU Court sharpens the bar for botanical health claimsA 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.
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EU report identifies 117 supplement substances as potential health risksThe 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.
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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.
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EU Health Claims Regulation adoptedRegulation (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.
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EU introduces the Novel Food RegulationRegulation (EC) No 258/97 required any food or food ingredient without a history of consumption in the EU before 15 maj 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.
Landmark studies
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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.
Läs studie →
Found in these produkter (1)
Alla produkter in our catalog that contain Nicotinamide, ranked by our overall score. Ranking is editorial, never paid.
Buying guides and comparisons
Related ingredients
Se alla in NAD+ precursor / Sirtuin pathway support →Molekyler in the same class, plus the actives most often formulated alongside Nicotinamide in our catalogue.
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 dag, with a range of 500 to 1000 mg per dag. 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 produkter containing Nicotinamide. The top-ranked product scores 5.4 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.
Data verification
Bevisning grades are reviewed when new human RCTs are published. Product counts update automatically as new produkter are added. Dose ranges reflect published trial data, not brand recommendations. Read how we verify.