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Brain Factors

Thorne
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(339 ratings)
Betaine Anhydrous 85 mg
Niacin 415 mg
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Score70
A substantial nicotinamide riboside amount gives the formula a clear cellular-energy focus. Modest betaine, narrow goal coverage, and premium cost are the main limitations.
How scoring works
Quantity:30 Capsule(s) • (30 servings)
Goals:
Heart Health

Score 70

A substantial nicotinamide riboside amount gives the formula a clear cellular-energy focus. Modest betaine, narrow goal coverage, and premium cost are the main limitations.
How scoring works
$51.00($1.70 per serving)
Pure Formulas
$ 51.00
Walmart
$ 51.00
iHerb
$ 51.00
Report prices

Analysis

Nicotinamide riboside hydrogen malate at 415 mg anchors the formula with a substantial precursor amount. Coffee fruit extract at 100 mg adds a separate cognition-oriented ingredient.

Betaine anhydrous is included at only 85 mg, far below amounts used for dedicated methylation or performance support. Exact quantities are disclosed, although the branded coffee fruit material is not further standardized in the supplied data.

The capsules fit users specifically interested in cellular-energy and cognition pathways. Narrow purpose and premium serving cost reduce value for broad general-health or physical-performance use.

Who is it for
  • Adults seeking focused nicotinamide riboside
  • Users interested in cellular-energy support
  • People who want a simple cognition-oriented blend
Best for
  • NAD-precursor supplementation
  • Cellular-energy routines
  • Coffee-fruit cognitive support

Pros

  • Substantial nicotinamide riboside amount
  • Includes coffee fruit extract
  • Fully disclosed active quantities
  • Simple three-ingredient formula

Cons

  • Betaine amount is very modest
  • Premium daily serving cost
  • Limited relevance to weight gain
  • Narrow coverage for heart or skin goals

Warnings

  • Nicotinamide riboside may cause nausea or digestive discomfort in sensitive users.
  • Betaine can cause stomach upset, although the amount here is modest.
  • Coffee fruit extract may not suit users who are sensitive to coffee-derived ingredients.

Nutrient quality

71 High impact

Nicotinamide riboside is meaningfully dosed and the compact formula avoids obvious padding. Coffee fruit and low-dose betaine remain poorly matched to the configured goals.

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Ingredient transparency

84 Highest impact

Every active ingredient has a specific amount and no proprietary blend is shown. Complete use directions and non-active ingredients are not supplied.

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Customer satisfaction

68 High impact

The supplied average is strong, and the rating count is moderate. Specific firsthand feedback is absent, so recurring complaints and purpose fit cannot be assessed.

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Value for money

51 Moderate impact

The high serving cost is difficult to justify for the configured goals despite a meaningful nicotinamide-riboside amount. A compact formula avoids low-value extras but remains poorly competitive for these uses.

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Report analysis

Goals

Heart Health
Heart Health
Impact
Moderate effect
F Goal FitC Strength of SupportF CoverageC Formula Quality

Nicotinamide riboside supports cellular NAD production, but that does not provide the lipid-lowering action associated with nicotinic acid. Betaine has a potential homocysteine role, though its 85 mg amount is far below common supplemental levels.

Coffee fruit extract makes the formula more relevant to brain support than cardiovascular care. Clear individual amounts help assessment, but the combination lacks a meaningful heart-focused dose or mechanism.

Study evidence
Niacin Supportive 105 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Nicotinamide Riboside Hydrogen Malate
415 mg
CognatiQ (Coffee Fruit Extract)
 100 mg
Betaine Anhydrous
85 mg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50
Report overview
Niacin · 415 mg OverallScore84
B+ Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyC Value

Nicotinamide riboside is a direct NAD+ precursor provided at a research-aligned amount for metabolic and cellular-energy support. The chemical form is clear, but no patented source, independent verification, or specialized release technology is identified. Value is moderate for an NR formula, with coffee fruit extract and betaine adding broader formulation support.

View ingredientView products
Betaine Anhydrous · 85 mg OverallScore84
A+ Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityB Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyC Value

The label uses the intended anhydrous form and clearly discloses its amount. The dose is suitable for modest wellness support but falls short of the stronger wellness target and is far below a performance dose. Value is limited because the serving cost is near the collection benchmark despite the modest betaine amount, though the broader formula includes other substantial active ingredients.

View ingredientView products
Loading alternative details
79 Performance

ResveraCel

Thorne
<p>The same nicotinamide-riboside and betaine base is extended with phytosome quercetin and trans-resveratrol, improving alignment with skin and cardiovascular goals. Weight-gain support remains poor, and the added ingredients come with premium positioning.</p>
80 Performance

Niacin (Vitamin B3) 500 mg

Solgar
<p>Clearly identified nicotinic acid is more directly aligned with the configured heart and cardiovascular goals than coffee-fruit extract. The high amount may cause flushing and affect the liver, glucose, or blood pressure, so it requires careful use.</p>
77 Performance

Tru Niagen Unflavored

ChromaDex
<p>A clearly named nicotinamide riboside chloride formula focuses on the same NAD-related purpose without an opaque supporting extract. It omits betaine and does not establish direct heart or skin benefits, but its active ingredient is simpler to assess.</p>
82 Budget

Niacinamide 500 mg

NOW
<p>A simple niacinamide formula costs far less per serving and aligns more directly with the configured skin goal. The amount is high for routine nutrition and does not provide the original product's nicotinamide riboside or betaine.</p>
82 Budget

Sustained-Release Niacin with niaXtend 500 mg

Doctor's Best
<p>Sustained-release nicotinic acid costs far less and is more directly aligned with heart and cardiovascular goals than coffee-fruit extract. High-dose niacin can affect the liver and still needs safety guidance despite the controlled-release design.</p>
83 Budget

Betaine Anhydrous

NutraBio
<p>Clearly identified trimethylglycine supplies much more betaine at a substantially lower serving cost. It may fit the configured weight-gain goal better than the original token betaine amount, though it does not replace adequate calories or complete protein.</p>
72 Value

NiaCel 400

Thorne
<p>The same listed amount of nicotinamide riboside and betaine comes at a lower serving cost without the coffee-fruit extract. Direct weight, heart, and skin support remains limited, but the compact formula is easier to evaluate.</p>
81 Value

NAD+ Cell Regenerator

Life Extension
<p>A meaningful amount of branded nicotinamide riboside preserves the main cellular-energy ingredient at a lower serving cost. It lacks betaine and remains only indirectly aligned with the configured goals, but the single-active formula improves clarity.</p>
80 Value

No-Flush Niacin (Inositol Hexanicotinate) 500 mg

Solgar
<p>A low serving cost and clearly named no-flush niacin form provide a more economical route to vitamin B3. The form may be less direct than nicotinic acid for cardiovascular use and does not reproduce the original nicotinamide-riboside formula.</p>
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Sources

Published studies used for the product analysis and the top-ranked studies for each ingredient and goal.

  1. Role of Niacin in Current Clinical Practice: A Systematic Review.
    Garg A; Sharma A; Krishnamoorthy P; Garg J; Virmani D; Sharma T; Stefanini G; Kostis JB; Mukherjee D; Sikorskaya E · The American journal of medicine · 2017
    Meta-analysis35,206 participants13 studies pooledHeart Health forNiacin
  2. Relationship of lipoproteins to cardiovascular events: the AIM-HIGH Trial (Atherothrombosis Intervention in Metabolic Syndrome With Low HDL/High Triglycerides and Impact on Global Health Outcomes).
    Guyton JR; Slee AE; Anderson T; Fleg JL; Goldberg RB; Kashyap ML; Marcovina SM; Nash SD; O'Brien KD; Weintraub WS; Xu P; Zhao XQ; Boden WE · Journal of the American College of Cardiology · 2013
    Randomized trial3,414 participantsHeart Health Cardiovascular Support forNiacin
  3. Effect of Nicotinamide in Skin Cancer and Actinic Keratoses Chemoprophylaxis, and Adverse Effects Related to Nicotinamide: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
    Mainville L; Smilga AS; Fortin PR · Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery · 2022
    Meta-analysis3,039 participants29 studies pooledSkin Health forNiacin
  4. Assessment of the Role of Niacin in Managing Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
    D'Andrea E; Hey SP; Ramirez CL; Kesselheim AS · JAMA network open · 2020
    Meta-analysis35,760 participants17 studies pooledHeart Health Cardiovascular Support forNiacin
  5. Nicotinamide for Skin-Cancer Chemoprevention in Transplant Recipients.
    Allen NC; Martin AJ; Snaidr VA; Eggins R; Chong AH; Fernandéz-Peñas P; Gin D; Sidhu S; Paddon VL; Banney LA; Lim A; Upjohn E; Schaider H; Ganhewa AD; Nguyen J; McKenzie CA; Prakash S; McLean C; Lochhead A; Ibbetson J; Dettrick A; Landgren A; Allnutt KJ; Allison C; Davenport RB; Mumford BP; Wong B; Stagg B; Tedman A; Gribbin H; Edwards HA; De Rosa N; Stewart T; Doolan BJ; Kok Y; Simpson K; Low ZM; Kovitwanichkanont T; Scolyer RA; Dhillon HM; Vardy JL; Chadban SJ; Bowen DG; Chen AC; Damian DL · The New England journal of medicine · 2023
    Randomized trial158 participantsSkin Health forNiacin
  6. Supplemental Vitamins and Minerals for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Treatment: JACC Focus Seminar.
    Jenkins DJA; Spence JD; Giovannucci EL; Kim YI; Josse RG; Vieth R; Sahye-Pudaruth S; Paquette M; Patel D; Blanco Mejia S; Viguiliouk E; Nishi SK; Kavanagh M; Tsirakis T; Kendall CWC; Pichika SC; Sievenpiper JL · Journal of the American College of Cardiology · 2021
    Meta-analysisCardiovascular Support forNiacin
  7. A Foodborne Outbreak Traced to Niacin Overenrichment.
    Hudson PJ; Vogt RL · Journal of food protection · 2023
    Case-control study21 participantsSkin Health forNiacin
  8. Exploring the Cardiovascular Impacts of Oral Nicotinamide: A Comprehensive Narrative Review.
    Shoukfeh R; Tisack AM; Lim HW; Mohammad TF · Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD · 2025
    Narrative reviewHeart Health forNiacin
  9. The current state of niacin in cardiovascular disease prevention: a systematic review and meta-regression.
    Lavigne PM; Karas RH · Journal of the American College of Cardiology · 2013
    Meta-analysis9,959 participants11 studies pooledCardiovascular Support forNiacin
  10. Effect of niacin therapy on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease.
    Duggal JK; Singh M; Attri N; Singh PP; Ahmed N; Pahwa S; Molnar J; Singh S; Khosla S; Arora R · Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology and therapeutics · 2010
    Meta-analysis5,137 participants7 studies pooledHeart Health forNiacin
  11. The clinical anti-aging effects of topical kinetin and niacinamide in Asians: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, split-face comparative trial.
    Chiu PC; Chan CC; Lin HM; Chiu HC · Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2008
    Randomized trial52 participantsSkin Health forNiacin
  12. Effects of niacin on apo A1 and B levels: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
    Saboori S; Yousefi Rad E; Tammam J; Thondre PS; Coe S · The British journal of nutrition · 2024
    Meta-analysis12 studies pooledCardiovascular Support forNiacin
  13. Effect of niacin on lipid and lipoprotein levels and glycemic control in patients with diabetes and peripheral arterial disease: the ADMIT study: A randomized trial. Arterial Disease Multiple Intervention Trial.
    Elam MB; Hunninghake DB; Davis KB; Garg R; Johnson C; Egan D; Kostis JB; Sheps DS; Brinton EA · JAMA · 2000
    Randomized trial468 participantsHeart Health Cardiovascular Support forNiacin
  14. The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer.
    Hakozaki T; Minwalla L; Zhuang J; Chhoa M; Matsubara A; Miyamoto K; Greatens A; Hillebrand GG; Bissett DL; Boissy RE · The British journal of dermatology · 2002
    Randomized trial138 participantsSkin Health forNiacin
  15. Effect of lipid-lowering therapies on lipoprotein(a) levels: a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
    Xie S; Galimberti F; Olmastroni E; Carugo S; Catapano AL; Casula M; META-LIPID Group · Atherosclerosis · 2025
    Meta-analysis145,314 participants147 studies pooledCardiovascular Support forNiacin
  16. Niacinamide: A B vitamin that improves aging facial skin appearance.
    Bissett DL; Oblong JE; Berge CA · Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] · 2005
    Randomized trial50 participantsSkin Health forNiacin
  17. The ARBITER 6-HALTS Trial (Arterial Biology for the Investigation of the Treatment Effects of Reducing Cholesterol 6-HDL and LDL Treatment Strategies in Atherosclerosis): final results and the impact of medication adherence, dose, and treatment duration.
    Villines TC; Stanek EJ; Devine PJ; Turco M; Miller M; Weissman NJ; Griffen L; Taylor AJ · Journal of the American College of Cardiology · 2010
    Randomized trial315 participantsHeart Health forNiacin
  18. Effectiveness of niacin supplementation for patients with type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
    Xiang D; Zhang Q; Wang YT · Medicine · 2020
    Meta-analysis2,110 participants8 studies pooledCardiovascular Support forNiacin
  19. Nicotinamide for Skin Cancer Chemoprevention.
    Breglio KF; Knox KM; Hwang J; Weiss R; Maas K; Zhang S; Yao L; Madden C; Xu Y; Hartman RI; Wheless L · JAMA dermatology · 2025
    Cohort study33,822 participantsSkin Health forNiacin
  20. The effects of extended-release niacin on carotid intimal media thickness, endothelial function and inflammatory markers in patients with the metabolic syndrome.
    Thoenes M; Oguchi A; Nagamia S; Vaccari CS; Hammoud R; Umpierrez GE; Khan BV · International journal of clinical practice · 2008
    Randomized trial50 participantsHeart Health forNiacin
  21. Niacin improves lipid profile but not endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease on high dose statin therapy.
    Philpott AC; Hubacek J; Sun YC; Hillard D; Anderson TJ · Atherosclerosis · 2013
    Randomized trial66 participantsCardiovascular Support forNiacin
  22. Niacin intake and risk of skin cancer in US women and men.
    Park SM; Li T; Wu S; Li WQ; Weinstock M; Qureshi AA; Cho E · International journal of cancer · 2017
    Cohort study114,116 participantsSkin Health forNiacin
  23. Differential effect of two nicotinic acid preparations on low-density lipoprotein subclass distribution in patients classified as low-density lipoprotein pattern A, B, or I.
    Superko HR; McGovern ME; Raul E; Garrett B · The American journal of cardiology · 2004
    Randomized trial180 participantsHeart Health forNiacin
  24. Effects of HDL-modifiers on cardiovascular outcomes: a meta-analysis of randomized trials.
    Verdoia M; Schaffer A; Suryapranata H; De Luca G · Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD · 2015
    Meta-analysis69,515 participants18 studies pooledCardiovascular Support forNiacin
  25. Evaluation of anti-wrinkle effects of a novel cosmetic containing niacinamide.
    Kawada A; Konishi N; Oiso N; Kawara S; Date A · The Journal of dermatology · 2008
    Randomized trial30 participantsSkin Health forNiacin
  26. Extended-release niacin therapy and risk of ischemic stroke in patients with cardiovascular disease: the Atherothrombosis Intervention in Metabolic Syndrome with low HDL/High Triglycerides: Impact on Global Health Outcome (AIM-HIGH) trial.
    Teo KK; Goldstein LB; Chaitman BR; Grant S; Weintraub WS; Anderson DC; Sila CA; Cruz-Flores S; Padley RJ; Kostuk WJ; Boden WE; AIM-HIGH Investigators · Stroke · 2013
    Randomized trial3,414 participantsHeart Health forNiacin
  27. Chemoprevention of keratinocyte carcinomas and actinic keratoses in adults who were immunocompetent: a systematic review.
    Susanto A; Morgan E; Lindsay D; Collins LG · Clinical and experimental dermatology · 2026
    Systematic review7,355 participants11 studies pooledSkin Health forNiacin
  28. Effect of niacin on endothelial function: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
    Sahebkar A · Vascular medicine (London, England) · 2014
    Meta-analysis441 participants7 studies pooledHeart Health forNiacin