Benefits
NAD+ metabolome rose in the blood (a marker)
In one 7-day crossover trial in 18 healthy middle-aged adults, RiaGev raised the blood NAD+ metabolome, with NADP+ up 27% versus placebo. This is a blood marker, not a measured change in energy, muscle function or aging, and the trial did not compare RiaGev with nicotinamide or D-ribose alone.
Blood ATP and ADP levels (a marker)
In the same trial, blood ATP plus ADP was higher with RiaGev than placebo at each visit, but the difference was significant only on day 5 (7.3% higher), and the ATP to AMP ratio did not differ significantly. These are blood markers in 18 healthy adults over one week, not measures of exercise capacity or muscle performance.
Mitochondrial rationale for the combination
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+ products are often marketed for healthy aging, but 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.
Fatigue and concentration scores in a 7-day trial
On a fatigue questionnaire, people taking RiaGev reported less fatigue and better concentration and motivation than at baseline. Scores also improved on placebo, and the paper reports the RiaGev changes against baseline rather than as a significant difference from placebo, so this short pilot result is uncertain.
Mechanism of action
Nicotinamide Salvage Route to NAD+
Most NAD+ in mammals is made from nicotinamide through the salvage route, in which the enzyme NAMPT turns nicotinamide into NMN on the way to NAD+. This step uses PRPP, an activated form of ribose, which the trial authors give as the reason for pairing nicotinamide with D-ribose; that rationale has not been tested directly in people. RiaGev contains no nicotinamide riboside, so the NR kinase route does not apply.
Sirtuin and PARP substrate supply
NAD+ is the substrate for sirtuin enzymes, which help regulate metabolism, and for PARP enzymes, which help repair DNA. Raising NAD+ could supply these enzymes, but no study has measured sirtuin or PARP activity after RiaGev in people.
Clinical trials
Randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled crossover pilot: 1,520 mg RiaGev twice daily or a dextrose placebo for 7 days each, with a 7-day washout. Two authors are employees of the supplier, Bioenergy Life Science; the paper reports no external funding. (Xue et al. 2022, Nutrients)
18 healthy adults aged 36 to 65 (17 completed); 50 were screened.
NADP+ rose 27% versus placebo (p=0.033) and NAD+ was 10.4% above day 1 on day 5. Blood glucose fell (p=0.013) without a change in insulin, and waking salivary cortisol fell (p=0.026). Fatigue, concentration and motivation scores improved versus baseline. Nine minor adverse events occurred in seven people on RiaGev and three in two people on placebo; weakness and decreased appetite were judged possibly related.