Form Comparison

Nicotinamide vs NMN

How nicotinamide and NMN differ in potency, absorption, tolerance, and cost.

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Quick verdict. NMN raised blood NAD+ metabolites at 250-1,000 mg a day in human trials, but outcome results have been mostly null apart from one small insulin-signaling study. Nicotinamide costs a fraction as much and has a positive phase 3 trial for skin cancer prevention, though very high doses have caused liver toxicity. Choose nicotinamide for evidence per dollar, and NMN only if you accept paying for mechanistic promise.

Side by Side

Nicotinamide Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN)
Absorption High Variable
How it is absorbed Well absorbed and the main circulating NAD+ precursor. It is also what NAD+-consuming enzymes release. Absorbed in the small intestine, possibly after conversion to NR; a dedicated NMN transporter reported in mouse gut is disputed. 250-1,000 mg daily raised blood NAD+ metabolites in human trials.
Typical dose 500 mg twice daily in the skin cancer trial 250-1,000 mg daily
Common uses NAD+ support, skin cancer prevention in high-risk patients NAD+ support, metabolic health (research)
Side effects No flushing. Doses of several grams daily have caused liver toxicity. None consistent in short trials.
Cost Low High
Also called niacinamide NMN, beta-NMN

When to Choose Nicotinamide

Choose nicotinamide when cost matters and you want the precursor with outcome data. The only NAD+ precursor with a positive phase 3 outcome trial (fewer nonmelanoma skin cancers). High concentrations inhibit sirtuins in cell studies.

Nicotinamide

Pennies per day and the only precursor with a phase 3 outcome trial, in skin cancer prevention.

What to look for: Nicotinamide (niacinamide) 500 mg tablets. Not nicotinic acid, which causes flushing.

Find on iHerb Affiliate link

When to Choose Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN)

Choose NMN when you want the precursor closest to NAD+ and accept the cost. One small trial found improved muscle insulin signaling in prediabetic women; most other endpoints have been null.

Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN)

One small positive metabolic trial and many null endpoints. Expensive for what is known.

What to look for: 250-500 mg per capsule with a certificate of analysis from an independent lab.

Find on iHerb Affiliate link

Products on Titrate

200 of the 214,745 labels in the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database list NMN and NAD+ as an active ingredient (144 on market). 121 are sold as NMN and NAD+ products by name.

Open supplement search

NMN and NAD+ does not have its own search category yet. Each product above links to its full label in the NIH database.

Related

References

Chen AC, Martin AJ, Choy B, et al. A phase 3 randomized trial of nicotinamide for skin-cancer chemoprevention. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(17):1618-1626.

Trammell SA, Schmidt MS, Weidemann BJ, et al. Nicotinamide riboside is uniquely and orally bioavailable in mice and humans. Nat Commun. 2016;7:12948.

Martens CR, Denman BA, Mazzo MR, et al. Chronic nicotinamide riboside supplementation is well-tolerated and elevates NAD+ in healthy middle-aged and older adults. Nat Commun. 2018;9(1):1286.

Dollerup OL, Christensen B, Svart M, et al. A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial of nicotinamide riboside in obese men: safety, insulin-sensitivity, and lipid-mobilizing effects. Am J Clin Nutr. 2018;108(2):343-353.

Yoshino M, Yoshino J, Kayser BD, et al. Nicotinamide mononucleotide increases muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women. Science. 2021;372(6547):1224-1229.

Pencina KM, Lavu S, Dos Santos M, et al. MIB-626, an oral formulation of a microcrystalline unique polymorph of beta-nicotinamide mononucleotide, increases circulating nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and its metabolome in middle-aged and older adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2023;78(1):90-96.