What is Niagen?
Niagen is the commercially patented form of Nicotinamide Riboside (NR). Niagen is manufactured by its parent company ChromaDex, (chromatex.com). ChromaDex licenses their product to third-party companies as a natural supplement. ChromaDex is based in Irvin, California. Scientifically, Nicotinamide Riboside claims to support anti-aging, enhance cardiovascular health and cognitive functions.
How Does Niagen Work?
It allegedly works by improving cellular communication and mitochondrial functioning. As a result, a user will experience an enhanced cardiovascular function, anti-aging support and improved cognitive performance including reasoning, memory, language and concentration. NR, being a member of the Vitamin B3 family is converted to Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) by the body. NAD+ claims to improve conversion of food into energy, and improve communication between the nucleus and mitochondria, the body’s energy workshop. This will in turn lead to better cellular functioning, leading to the benefits mentioned earlier.
Niagen Features
• NAD+
Upon ingestion, Niagen (or NR) converts to NAD+, known to boost metabolism and support cognitive functions by improving cellular communication between the nucleus and mitochondria.
• Mitochondrial Health
Science has it that if the mitochondrial health is improved, the cellular aging process will reduce. Niagen claims to support anti-aging by improving the body’s mitochondrial health.
• Muscular Endurance
NAD+ improves thermogenesis and mitochondria-nucleus function; the body’s energy workshop. This might in turn improve the body’s muscular power and thus support athleticism and muscular endurance.
PROS
It's actually a real company.
ChromaDex is actually a publicly traded company. Most pill pushing companies you find online aren't. They tend to be unknown companies peddling pills.
Positive reviews
There seems to be a lot of positive reviews from verified buyers of Niagen. Many of them are claiming they experienced better memory, improved performance and optimism in regards to the anti-aging effects.
Exclusivity
When the nerds at Cornell University finally closed the curtains on a successful production of NR, they gave the ‘’secret formula’’ and manufacturing rights exclusively to ChromaDex. So, if you are in the market to buy a supplement that promises to make you look 21 again, make sure the label reads Niagen, or Nicotinamide Riboside.
Consumer Support
The folks at ChromaDex make it very easy to contact them via telephone, email, fax or you can visit their location. How many companies even do that any more?
Niagen Complaints
Any time you're dealing with pills there are always going to be people that are going to either love them or complain that they won't work. So we've rounded up the common complaints against Niagen below.
No BBB Rating
At the time of this review there was no BBB rating linked to the product or parent company ChromaDex. For some people that live and die by the BBB rating this may pose an issue.
Your Results May Vary
Some people have claimed the product does not work… for them. Unfortunately that is something you see with any product.
Niagen Side Effects
Some consumers complained of dizziness, fatigue, sedation, allergic reactions and skin irritation.
Where's the rest of my stuff?
Apparently some folks have complained of receiving fewer pills than what they paid for.
Where Can You Buy Niagen?
You don't have to go far to find Niagen because Amazon.com sells it at a reasonable price. You can also read a lot of the reviews and others experience there as well.
So Is Niagen Legit or Not?
ChromaTex manufactures NR and distributes to third party supplement manufacturers. ChromaTex is a legit publicly traded company. But there is no guarantee that other manufacturers selling it have the same credibility.
But given the positive responses we've seen online, there is a good chance you may experience positive results. However there are some of you that may experience the side effects we mentioned above. So like any pill you take there is that risk. At the end of the day the results are not guaranteed either way.
Niagen Review
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Our Overall Rating
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Support
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Quality
Summary
Most people using Niagen seem to be happy with the results. The fact this product was created by a publicly traded company is also reassuring. But there have been complaints of side effects.
Thanks for the review.
It is good to know that ChromaDex is actually a real publicly traded company. That definitely makes me more likely to give this product a try. It sounds like it may be worth a shot. But the possible side effects are a bit of a concern for me.
You’re welcome. Side effects are a concern for any type of pills you take. So I totally hear you.
This is a pretty good review about Niagen. I’ve heard of this substance but didn’t see any reports. Looks like side effects could be due to the rapidly increasing metabolism. Would you say this supplement is more for improving mental cognitive function or for overall health and bumping up one’s metabolism?
Thanks.
Katya.
Thanks for your comment. You could be right and that might be the reason for the side effects. You never know when you take pills. We’ve laid out above what Niagen claims it improves.
I like the idea of this product being held to the standards of a publicly traded company.
I am always skeptical about new products without enough information available for them.
You mentioned some concerns with side effects. Are these from short term uses? are there any studies about the long term effects of using this drug?
I believe the side effects mentioned cover the range of short term and long term use. That said I just think it’s safe to assume any drug has side effects. It’s just the nature of most drugs. It’s not unique to Niagen. I don’t know of any long term studies. Thanks for chiming in.
Thank you for your Niagen Review it has really opened my eyes. This company has me concerned as even if it is a publically traded company. So I am not going anywhere near it. I am with the previous commentor in being concerned with the side effects. But keep in mind I try and not take any drugs apart from coffee. 😉
LOL, I hear ya. But coffee is a hell of a drug too. The fact people can’t start their day without it says a lot. lol
The fact that taking Niagen leads to “better memory, improved performance, and optimism in regards to the anti-aging effects” as you have mentioned is already attractive to me despite its side-effects, which is common in any drug. But my only question is, if I am to make a positive decision – what do the doctors say? I would love to hear something from these medical professionals if I decide to take Niagen. Thanks.
Cheers,
Kipps
Kipps,
That’s what the company claims. It doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to help you. You should still talk to your own doctor before taking something like this to be sure if its safe for you especially if you’re taking any other medications or supplements.
I liked your Niagen review. You are so right about the online companies not being actual companies. The thing that concerns me is that Niagen works with a third party, so after it leaves their hands no one knows what happens to it.
I personally will not purchase pills online or on tv.
Michelle
Well I never said that online companies aren’t real companies. Otherwise no one would buy from Amazon. But I am wary of the third parties that may sell this. I appreciate your insight though.