Nicotinamide riboside is a precursor to the important cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and has elicited
metabolic benefits in multiple preclinical studies. In 2016, the first clinical trial of nicotinamide ribosidewas
conducted to test the safety and efficacy of human supplementation. Many trials have since been conducted
aiming to delineate benefits to metabolic health and severe diseases in humans. This review endeavors to summarize
and critically assess the 25 currently published research articles on human nicotinamide riboside supplementation
to identify any poorly founded claims and assist the field in elucidating the actual future potential
for nicotinamide riboside. Collectively, oral nicotinamide riboside supplementation has displayed few clinically
relevant effects, and there is an unfortunate tendency in the literature to exaggerate the importance and robustness
of reported effects. Even so, nicotinamide riboside may play a role in the reduction of inflammatory
states and has shown some potential in the treatment of diverse severe diseases.