Elysium BasisvsTru Niagen

Each two-capsule serving delivers 250 mg of nicotinamide riboside, a vitamin B3 form the body converts into NAD+, a coenzyme essential to mitochondrial energy production and DNA repair that naturally declines with age. The 50 mg of pterostilbene is included as a polyphenol intended to support sirtuin signaling pathways tied to cellular stress response.

Tru Niagen delivers Niagen, a patented form of nicotinamide riboside (NR), a relative of vitamin B3. Your cells convert NR into NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a coenzyme essential for turning food into cellular energy, supporting DNA repair, and fueling the activity of enzymes called sirtuins. NAD+ levels tend to decline with age, and the theory is that replenishing NAD+ may support healthier cellular aging. Importantly, the supplement reliably raises blood NAD+; whether that higher NAD+ produces meaningful health benefits in people is still an open question.

In an 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 120 healthy adults aged 60-80 published in npj Aging and Mechanisms of Disease, the recommended dose raised whole-blood NAD+ by roughly 40% versus placebo (and ~90% at double dose), sustained over the study period with no serious adverse events. The evidence establishes that Basis reliably increases NAD+; it does not yet demonstrate clinical longevity or disease outcomes.

The strongest, most consistent finding is at the biomarker level: in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 140 overweight but otherwise healthy adults (Conze et al., 2019), Niagen raised whole-blood NAD+ dose-dependently within two weeks (about 22% at 100mg, 51% at 300mg, and 142% at 1000mg per day), and the increase was sustained over the 8-week study. Downstream clinical benefits are far less convincing. Dollerup et al. found that NR (1000mg twice daily, 2000mg/day for 12 weeks) raised NAD+ but did not meaningfully improve insulin sensitivity, skeletal-muscle mitochondrial function, or body composition in obese, insulin-resistant men. A 2018 crossover trial in middle-aged and older adults (Martens et al., 1000mg/day) raised NAD+ by roughly 60% but found that reductions in blood pressure and aortic stiffness did not reach statistical significance. So NR clearly elevates NAD+; the evidence that it slows aging or improves performance in healthy people remains weak.

Generally well tolerated; the published trial reported no serious adverse events. Mild, infrequent effects can include nausea, headache, or warmth/flushing typical of the niacin family. Stop and consult a clinician if you notice an unexpected reaction.

Across trials at doses up to 1000-2000mg/day, Niagen has been well tolerated, with adverse-event rates similar to placebo and, notably, no skin flushing (a common complaint with older high-dose niacin). In real-world use, mild and transient effects can include nausea, stomach discomfort, bloating, headache, or fatigue. No serious adverse events have been clearly attributed to NR in published trials. Long-term safety beyond a few months is less studied, and because NAD+ influences cell metabolism, people with cancer or other proliferative conditions should be cautious and consult a physician before use.

As of 2026, $50/month on subscription or $65 for a one-time 30-day pouch directly from Elysium; prepaid annual plans reduce the per-month cost. Not covered by insurance.

As of 2026, Tru Niagen 300mg costs $49 for a 30-count bottle (about one month) at full price directly from the manufacturer, or $39.20/month on subscription (20% off, with free shipping). Larger bottles lower the per-capsule cost: a 90-count is $127 ($101.60 on subscription) and a 180-count is $244 ($195.20 on subscription), which works out to roughly $1.08-$1.41 per day depending on size and whether you subscribe. At higher daily doses, monthly cost rises proportionally. As a dietary supplement it is not covered by insurance and rarely qualifies for HSA/FSA reimbursement without a doctor's letter. Third-party retailers (Amazon, Costco, Walmart) sometimes price below MSRP.

Marketed to healthy adults seeking cellular-aging support. Not intended for anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding, and people with liver conditions or on prescription medications should consult a clinician first. This is educational information, not medical advice.

Tru Niagen is aimed at generally healthy adults interested in cellular-aging support and NAD+ optimization. It is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding (it has not been tested in these groups), and people with cancer or a cancer history should consult a physician first, since NAD+'s role in cell proliferation is not fully understood. Anyone on prescription medications, with kidney or liver disease, or undergoing chemotherapy should also talk to a clinician before starting. It is a dietary supplement, not a treatment for any disease, and is not intended for children.