Vitamin B3

Nicotinic Acid (niacin), Niacinamide (nicotinamide)

Nicotinic acid was isolated as a pure chemical substance in 1867, but not until 1937 was it dsicovered to be the anti-PELLAGRA vitamin for humans. Classical deficiency of niacin, Pellagra, is characterised by the four D's - dermatitis, dementia, diarhoea, and death. Nicotinic acid is produced from tryptophan in the body and is then converted into niacinamide. Nicotinic acid functions in the body as a component in the coenzymes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and NADP, which are involved in approximately 200 enzyme processes.

Nicotinic acid and niacinamide have different beneficial applications.

CHOLESTEROL LOWERING - nicotinic acid has shown effective lipid lowering effects when compared to conventional drugs. In 1994 the Annals of Internal Medicine published results of a 26 week study, demonstrating a 33% increase in HDL cholesterol in the nicotinic acid group compared to 7% using Lovastatin. Nicotinic acid reduces concentrations of triglyceride-rich and small low-density lipoprotein particles while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
BLOOD SUGAR LOWERING - Niacinamide shows effectiveness in diabetic conditions by prolonging non-insulin requiring remission, lowering insulin requirements, improving metabolic control, and increasing pancreatic beta-cell function. Nicotinic acid along with chromium is thought to be a component of glucose tolerance factor (GTF) that potentiates the action of insulin.
ARTHRITIS - niacinamide has shown good clinical results in the treatment of hundreds of patients with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. Results demonstrate improved joint flexibility, and reduced inflammation in those receiving supplementation over 12 weeks.
ENERGY PRODUCTION (ATP) - NADH is formed from NAD producing energy via ATP production

Dosage

Up to several grams of nicotinic acid has been used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol). Studies evaluating niacinamide in arthritic patients have utilised between 900mg - 4,000mg daily.

Potential applications

Elevated blood lipids i.e. elevated cholesterol levels, hyperglycaemia, diabetes, intermittent claudication, Raynaud's phenomena, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. Niacinamide has been shown to be a tumour-specific radio-sensitizer, possibly because of its effect on vaso-relaxation and increased tumour oxygenation.

Known contraindications

Nicotinic can cause a harmless facial flushing resulting from vasodilation and histamine release. Nicotinic acid should not be used by diabetic individuals unless under supervision. It should also not be used by those with liver disease or peptic ulcers.

Interactions

The conversion of vitamin folic acid to its active form tetrahydrafolate (THF) requires vitamin B3. Nicotinic acid is intricately involved with other B vitamins in energy metabolism.

Use in conjunction with

Cholesterol reduction - flax seed oil, ester C, antioxidant complex, vitamin E
Hyperglycaemia - chromium complex, garlic, quercetin complex, fibre complex

REFERENCES

Michael Murray. 1996. The Encyclopaedia of Nutritional Supplements. P. 44-53
Bowman and Russell. 2001. Present Knowledge in Nutrition. Eighth Edition.
James L. Groff, Sareen S. Gropper, Sara M. Hunt. 1995. Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism. 2nd Edition.
Grundy SM, Vega GL, McGovern ME, Tulloch BR, Kendall DM, Fitz-Patrick D, Ganda OP, Rosenson RS, Buse JB, Robertson DD, Sheehan JP; Diabetes Multicenter Research Group. Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of once-daily niacin for the treatment of dyslipidemia associated with type 2 diabetes: results of the assessment of diabetes control and evaluation of the efficacy of niaspan trial. Arch Intern Med. 2003 Feb 10;163(3):369-70
Jonas WB, Rapoza CP, Blair WF. The effect of niacinamide on osteoarthritis: a pilot study. Office of Alternative Medicine, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA Inflamm Res 1996 Jul;45(7):330-4
Kelleher DK, Vaupel PW. Possible mechanisms involved in tumour radio-sensitization following niacinamide administration. Radiother Oncol 1994;32:47-53

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