NADH
NADH is studied for energy and cognitive outcomes. Human evidence remains limited and mixed.
Overview
What is NADH?
NADH is a coenzyme that occurs naturally in the body. It is the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). Supplementation may be beneficial for treating chronic fatigue syndrome.
Dosage
Typical oral doses of NADH in clinical studies range from 5–20 mg daily, often taken in the morning on an empty stomach.
Effect graph
Effect heatmap
SupplementDEX Database
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Database Snapshot
Most nadh research is concentrated in a handful of conditions.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) accounts for 5 of 9 studies (56%).
- Parkinson's disease accounts for 2 of 9 studies (22%).
- Cardiovascular health accounts for 1 of 9 studies (11%).
- Sparse coverage remains for Parkinson's disease, Cardiovascular health, Dementia.
Dietary Sources
Dietary sources
NADH is not consumed directly from foods in meaningful amounts; the body produces it from NAD+ during metabolism.
Safety
Dose windows
Long-term
Oral NADH is generally well tolerated at studied doses. Long-term safety data are limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
Sources9 references
SupplementDEX uses only high-quality sources to determine supplement effectiveness.
1.SupplementDEX Database: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) — Dietary Supplementation for Fatigue Symptoms in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)—A Systematic Review2025
A systematic review of 14 studies (809 ME/CFS patients) found some supplements including L-carnitine showed significant fatigue reductions, but methodological limitations prevent firm conclusions.
2.SupplementDEX Database: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) — Effect of Dietary Coenzyme Q10 Plus NADH Supplementation on Fatigue Perception and Health-Related Quality of Life in Individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial2021
An 8-week RCT in 104 ME/CFS patients found coenzyme Q10 plus NADH co-supplementation improved fatigue and quality of life versus placebo.
3.SupplementDEX Database: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) — Does oral coenzyme Q10 plus NADH supplementation improve fatigue and biochemical parameters in chronic fatigue syndrome?2015
An 8-week double-blind RCT found oral CoQ10 200 mg/day plus NADH 20 mg/day improved fatigue and some biochemical markers in chronic fatigue syndrome versus placebo.
4.SupplementDEX Database: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) — Comparison of oral nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) versus conventional therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome2004
A 24-month RCT in 31 CFS patients found oral NADH did not clearly outperform conventional therapy for fatigue relief.
5.SupplementDEX Database: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) — Therapeutic effects of oral NADH on the symptoms of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome1999
A 4-week RCT in 26 CFS patients found ENADA (NADH) reduced fatigue symptoms versus placebo.
6.SupplementDEX Database: Cardiovascular health — Effects of NAD+ precursors on blood pressure, C-reactive protein concentration and carotid intima-media thickness: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials2023
A meta-analysis of NAD+ precursor trials in 8664 participants found supplementation did not consistently lower blood pressure, CRP, or carotid intima-media thickness.
SupplementDEX Database · Dementia
1 reference7.SupplementDEX Database: Dementia — No evidence for cognitive improvement from oral nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) in dementia2000
A 3-month open-label study in 25 dementia patients on cholinomimetic drugs found 10 mg/day NADH produced no measurable cognitive benefit on standard psychometric tests.
SupplementDEX Database · Parkinson's disease
2 references8.SupplementDEX Database: Parkinson's disease — Treatment of Parkinson's disease with NADH1994
A small double-blind trial in 5 moderate Parkinson's patients found IV then IM NADH 25 mg/day for 4 weeks did not clearly improve disability scores.
9.SupplementDEX Database: Parkinson's disease — Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)—a new therapeutic approach to Parkinson's disease. Comparison of oral and parenteral application1993
An open-label trial in 885 Parkinson's patients reported clinical improvement in about 80% with oral or IV NADH, but lacked placebo control.