By: Dr. Sarah Myhill, MD
May 2, 2012

“Any condition associated with poor mitochondrial function, such as chronic fatigue syndrome… may well benefit from niacinamide supplementation.” – Dr. Myhill 

Niacinamide

Vitamin B3, strictly speaking, is not a vitamin because the body can make it from the essential amino acid tryptophan. [‘Essential’ means the body must have it but cannot produce it: It must be derived from the diet.] However, if people are eating low protein diets offering little tryptophan, then niacin does become an essential B vitamin.

B3 is present in three forms, namely nicotinic acid, niacin and niacinamide. The first two cause dreadful flushing so please make sure when you purchase that you use niacinamide!

The active form of niacinamide in the body is NAD [a coenzyme found in every cell] and this is a vital intermediary in energy production.

Essentially, NAD links the two major biochemical pathways of the Kreb’s citric acid cycle with oxidative phosphorylation in order that the body can make our essential energy molecule, namely adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Without sufficient NAD, energy production is slowed and every single cell in the body will go slow.

Therefore, it is not surprising that a deficiency of NAD has widespread effects and, by implication, NAD has many therapeutic uses.

Therapeutical Uses of Niacinamide

The therapeutic uses that are now well established are as follows:

Fatigue. For the reasons given above, low B3 will result in fatigue. Any condition associated with poor mitochondrial function, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, any organ failure, and any neurological disease such as Parkinson’s disease, may well benefit from high doses of NAD.

Arthritis. Work done by Dr. William Kaufman in the 1940s and written up in his book The Common Form of Joint Dysfunction demonstrated that many forms of arthritis can benefit from high dose B3. Dr. Kaufman was insistent that the full daily dose of as much as 3000 – 5000 mg be given in many small divided doses throughout the day. He got excellent results. This is an intervention well worth trying.

[See an excerpt from Dr. Kaufman’s book describing use of supplemental B3 to support improved joint mobility. And see Dr. Myhill’s handout on Nutritional Treatments for Arthritis, including B3.]