NADH
Useful mainly for people with chronic fatigue exploring a low-risk adjunct.
Quick decision guide
May help most
people with chronic fatigue exploring a low-risk adjunct
Common dosing range
5–20 mg/day
When to expect effects
Weeks (uncertain)
Watch out for
evidence is limited and benefits are small or inconsistent
What is it
NADH (reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is the active, electron-carrying form of the niacin-derived coenzyme NAD, central to cellular energy (ATP) production. As a supplement it is taken in stabilized oral tablets and marketed for fatigue, energy, and cognition. Human evidence is limited and mostly from small trials in chronic fatigue and Parkinson's disease.
Is it worth it for you?
Use this as a quick fit check, not a diagnosis.
Worth considering if…
Probably skip if…
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
chronic fatigue (including ME/CFS) Mixed Evidence | Small/uncertain | adults with chronic fatigue syndrome or persistent fatigue | Weeks |
Parkinson's disease symptoms Mixed Evidence | Unclear | none clearly established | Not established |
chronic fatigue (including ME/CFS)
- Effect
- Small/uncertain
- Best fit
- adults with chronic fatigue syndrome or persistent fatigue
- Time
- Weeks
Parkinson's disease symptoms
- Effect
- Unclear
- Best fit
- none clearly established
- Time
- Not established
Evidence for 2 uses
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
chronic fatigue (including ME/CFS)
Supplement benefitA few small randomized trials, some combining NADH with coenzyme Q10, report modest reductions in fatigue in ME/CFS, but other studies show little or no advantage over placebo. The trials are small and short, so the benefit is uncertain.
Bottom line: May modestly help chronic fatigue in some people, but the evidence is small and inconsistent.
Evidence is mixed
Some small trials report reduced fatigue while others find no clear benefit; combination products complicate attribution to NADH alone.
Parkinson's disease symptoms
Disease adjunctEarly, mostly open-label studies suggested NADH might improve symptoms or dopamine metabolism in Parkinson's disease, but better-controlled follow-up did not confirm meaningful clinical benefit. The evidence is old, conflicting, and not adequate to support its use.
Bottom line: Parkinson's claims rest on old, uncontrolled data that later studies did not confirm.
Evidence is mixed
Early enthusiastic reports were not replicated in controlled studies.
How to take it
What to track
Safety
Know the common side effects, key cautions, and who should avoid it.
Common side effects
Who should avoid it
- Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals (no data)
- Anyone relying on it instead of prescribed Parkinson's treatment
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
No reliable safety data in pregnancy or breastfeeding; avoid.
Interactions
Theoretical effects on dopamine metabolism; coordinate with a clinician.
Choosing a product
What to look for on the label — and what to be skeptical of.
Look for…
Be skeptical of…
References by claim
Track NADH with Pilora
Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.
Coming to App StoreDisclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.