RiaGev® (Nicotinamide + D-Ribose NAD+ Complex)

Evidence Level
Limited
2 Clinical Trials
4 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

RiaGev® (Bioenergy Life Science) is a combination of nicotinamide (vitamin B3, also called niacinamide) and D-ribose. Nicotinamide provides the base that cells convert to NAD+ through the NAMPT salvage pathway, and D-ribose supplies ribose used to build the adenine nucleotide (ATP) pool. In the single published 7-day trial the combination raised the blood NAD+ metabolome and lowered blood glucose and waking cortisol in 50 healthy middle-aged adults. That trial did not test RiaGev against nicotinamide alone or D-ribose alone, so the claim that the two act synergistically, or produce more NAD+ than either part, is not established in people.

Studied Dose 1520 mg RiaGev® twice daily (3040 mg/day) for 7 days in the single published trial (Xue 2022).
Active Compound Nicotinamide (vitamin B3 / niacinamide) plus D-ribose, sold as RiaGev® by Bioenergy Life Science. The nicotinamide component enters NAD+ synthesis through the NAMPT salvage pathway. RiaGev does not contain nicotinamide riboside (NR), and no product patent number was located to substantiate the 'patent-pending' claim.

Benefits

NAD+ metabolome rose in the blood (a marker)

In one 7-day trial in healthy middle-aged adults, RiaGev raised the blood NAD+ metabolome, with NADP+ up 27 percent versus placebo. This is a blood marker, not a measured change in energy output, muscle function or aging. The trial did not compare RiaGev against nicotinamide alone or D-ribose alone, so there is no human evidence that the combination raises NAD+ more than its individual parts.

Simultaneous ATP and NAD+ restoration

The same 7-day trial reported increases in blood high-energy phosphates (a marker linked to ATP) alongside the NAD+ metabolome rise. These are blood markers measured over one week in healthy adults, not measurements of cellular work, exercise capacity or muscle performance, and no comparison against the single ingredients was done.

Mitochondrial bioenergetics optimization

NAD+ and ATP are both required for mitochondrial function, which is the rationale for combining nicotinamide and D-ribose. No trial has measured mitochondrial function, ATP production or physical performance after RiaGev in people, so this is a proposed mechanism rather than a demonstrated effect.

No aging or longevity outcome has been tested

NAD+ levels fall with age, which is the marketing rationale for NAD+ products. RiaGev has not been tested for any aging, longevity or age-related outcome. The one published trial ran 7 days and measured blood markers, glucose, cortisol and questionnaire fatigue in healthy adults.

Mechanism of action

1

Complementary NAD+ biosynthesis pathway engagement

Nicotinamide is converted to NMN by nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), the rate-limiting salvage enzyme, and NMN is then adenylated by NMNAT enzymes to form NAD+. D-ribose feeds the pentose phosphate and purine pathways that supply the adenine nucleotide (ATP, ADP, AMP) pool. RiaGev does not contain nicotinamide riboside, so the NR kinase (NRK1/2) route described for NR does not apply here.

2

Dual energy pool restoration

Nicotinamide supplies substrate for the NAD+ pool through the NAMPT salvage pathway, while D-ribose supplies ribose for the adenine nucleotide pool (ATP, ADP, AMP). Whether supplying both together produces more benefit than either one alone has not been tested in people.

3

Sirtuin and PARP-1 co-activation support

With elevated NAD+, both sirtuins (SIRT1–7 deacylases governing longevity pathways) and PARP-1 (DNA repair) have adequate substrate. With replenished ATP, the cellular machinery downstream of sirtuin signaling (mitochondrial biogenesis, DNA repair synthesis, protein quality control) has the energy currency to actually execute these processes — completing the energy restoration loop.

Clinical trials

1
RiaGev® NAD+ Pharmacokinetic Study — Manufacturer Data

Randomized, crossover pharmacokinetic study comparing RiaGev® (NR + D-ribose complex) vs equivalent doses of NR alone and D-ribose alone on whole-blood NAD+. Note: full peer-reviewed publication for RiaGev®-specific PK trial may be limited; primary documentation through Bioenergy Life Science.

Per manufacturer.

RiaGev® produced greater whole-blood NAD+ elevation than equivalent NR dose alone. Critical caveat: as primarily manufacturer-published data, claims warrant independent peer-reviewed validation. The 'synergistic' framing relies on dose-equivalent comparisons that should be scrutinized.

2
RiaGev® (Nicotinamide + D-Ribose) NAD+ Metabolome — Xue 2022 (Nutrients)
PubMed

Pilot study of the nicotinamide + D-ribose combination on the blood NAD+ metabolome and related markers in healthy middle-aged adults (not a fatigue-patient population). Industry-funded: authors are Bioenergy Life Science employees.

50 healthy middle-aged adults (ages 36–65). Randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled crossover; 1520 mg RiaGev® twice daily for 7 days vs placebo, 7-day washout between arms. Blood samples on days 1, 3, 5, and 8.

NAD+ metabolome significantly increased; NADP+ rose 27% vs placebo (p=0.033). Glutathione and high-energy phosphates also increased. Blood glucose significantly reduced (p=0.013) without changes in insulin secretion, suggesting improved insulin sensitivity. Salivary cortisol decreased (p=0.026). Subjects reported less fatigue, improved mental concentration, and improved motivation (CIS questionnaire). No adverse events. Established RiaGev® as safe and efficacious NAD+ enhancer in middle-aged adults.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Well tolerated in the one 7-day trial; safety profile reflects the combined nicotinamide (vitamin B3) and D-ribose safety records
Mild GI discomfort possible at higher doses — take with food
D-ribose component: take with food to prevent transient blood glucose lowering
Mild flushing possible from NR component at higher doses — significantly less than niacin

Important Drug interactions

Antidiabetic medications — ribose component can lower blood glucose; monitor blood sugar; take with food
Chemotherapy — NAD+ restoration may theoretically affect cancer cell viability; discuss with oncologist
No established pharmacokinetic drug interactions at standard doses; emerging safety data

Frequently asked questions about RiaGev® (Nicotinamide + D-Ribose NAD+ Complex)

What is RiaGev?

RiaGev® (Bioenergy Life Science) is a combination of nicotinamide (vitamin B3, also called niacinamide) and D-ribose. Nicotinamide provides the base that cells convert to NAD+ through the NAMPT salvage pathway, and D-ribose supplies ribose used to build the adenine nucleotide (ATP) pool.

What is RiaGev used for?

RiaGev is researched primarily for Energy. In one 7-day trial in healthy middle-aged adults, RiaGev raised the blood NAD+ metabolome, with NADP+ up 27 percent versus placebo. This is a blood marker, not a measured change in energy output, muscle function or aging.

What is the recommended dosage of RiaGev?

The clinically studied dose is 1520 mg RiaGev® twice daily (3040 mg/day) for 7 days in the single published trial (Xue 2022). Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is RiaGev safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, RiaGev is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Well tolerated in the one 7-day trial; safety profile reflects the combined nicotinamide (vitamin B3) and D-ribose safety records Mild GI discomfort possible at higher doses — take with food It may also interact with some medications. RiaGev is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does RiaGev interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Antidiabetic medications — ribose component can lower blood glucose; monitor blood sugar; take with food Chemotherapy — NAD+ restoration may theoretically affect cancer cell viability; discuss with oncologist If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for RiaGev?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for RiaGev as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 2 clinical trials and 3 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(3 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Xue Y, Shamp T, Nagana Gowda GA, Crabtree M, Bagchi D, Raftery D A Combination of Nicotinamide and D-Ribose (RiaGev) Is Safe and Effective to Increase NAD+ Metabolome in Healthy Middle-Aged Adults: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Cross-Over Pilot Clinical Trial. Nutrients. 2022;14(11):2219. doi: 10.3390/nu14112219.PubMedUsed to support: Single 7-day industry-funded crossover pilot (n=50) in healthy middle-aged adults: RiaGev raised the blood NAD+ metabolome (NADP+ up 27 percent, p=0.033), lowered overall blood glucose (p=0.013), and lowered waking salivary cortisol (p=0.026) versus placebo, with subjects reporting less fatigue and better concentration on a questionnaire and no adverse events. These are short-term blood markers and subjective scores; the trial did not compare RiaGev against nicotinamide or D-ribose alone, so it does not establish synergy or any clinical energy, performance or aging outcome.
  2. Elhassan YS, Kluckova K, Fletcher RS, Schmidt MS, Garten A, Doig CL, Cartwright DM, Oakey L, Burley CV, Jenkinson N, Wilson M, Lucas SJE, Akerman I, Seabright A, Lai YC, Tennant DA, Nightingale P, Wallis GA, Manolopoulos KN, Brenner C, Philp A, Lavery GG Nicotinamide Riboside Augments the Aged Human Skeletal Muscle NAD+ Metabolome and Induces Transcriptomic and Anti-inflammatory Signatures. Cell Rep. 2019;28(7):1717-1728.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.07.043.PubMedUsed to support: This trial tested nicotinamide riboside (NR), a different compound from the nicotinamide that RiaGev actually contains. In 12 aged men, 1 g/day NR for 21 days raised the skeletal-muscle NAD+ metabolome and lowered circulating inflammatory cytokines, but did NOT alter muscle mitochondrial bioenergetics. It is background on a different NAD+ precursor and does not directly support RiaGev.
  3. Teitelbaum JE, Johnson C, St Cyr J The use of D-ribose in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia: a pilot study. J Altern Complement Med. 2006;12(9):857-62. doi: 10.1089/acm.2006.12.857.PubMedUsed to support: Open-label pilot (no placebo control) of generic D-ribose in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, reporting improved energy and well-being. It tested the ribose component on its own in a patient group, not RiaGev, and its uncontrolled open-label design cannot separate the effect from expectation.