Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide, is one of the most common forms of niacin (vitamin B3) found in dietary supplements.
Niacinamide can help maintain healthy levels of vitamin B3 and is often used to treat niacin deficiency, which is more common in some people, such as people with eating disorders or people high in niacin-rich foods.
Niacinamide supplements may have many health benefits, such as reducing the risk of skin cancer and improving glaucoma. Additionally, niacinamide supplements cause fewer side effects than other forms of niacin.
Niacinamide is a form of niacin or vitamin B3. When consumed and absorbed by the body, B3 is converted to its main active form, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD helps trigger reactions in the body related to cellular communication, energy production, and many other important functions.
Most people get enough niacin through diet alone. Your body can convert small amounts of the amino acid tryptophan into NAD, so tryptophan in foods such as chicken, fish, eggs and seeds is considered a dietary source of niacin. However, some people may need supplements such as niacinamide if they cannot get enough niacin from food.
Certain populations are more susceptible to niacin deficiency due to insufficient dietary intake of niacin, tryptophan, and other nutrients involved in the conversion of tryptophan to niacin. If left untreated, niacin deficiency can lead to pellagra, a disease that causes dermatitis, dementia, diarrhea and possibly death.
People with alcohol use disorders, Crohn’s disease, anorexia, carcinoid syndrome, and HIV/AIDS are often undernourished, which can lead to niacin deficiency. People who live in poverty and do not have regular access to food may also develop niacin deficiency due to lack of proper nutrition.
Additionally, people with Hartnup disease, a rare genetic disorder, rely on niacin supplements because their bodies are unable to absorb certain amino acids from their diet, which can result in low levels of nutrients, including niacin. Acid levels are low.
People who do not get enough niacin, tryptophan, and other nutrients needed to produce niacin in the body need niacin supplements, such as niacinamide, to maintain healthy niacin levels.
Some evidence suggests that taking niacinamide may help reduce the risk of skin cancer coming back in some people.
A study of 386 people who developed at least two nonmelanoma skin cancers in the past 5 years found that participants who took 500 mg of niacinamide daily for a year had a 23% lower risk of developing skin cancer. They also had a 13% lower risk of developing precancerous skin spots called actinic keratoses compared to the placebo group.
Additionally, a recent review of 29 studies found that niacinamide supplements significantly reduced the incidence of new skin cancers in healthy people and organ transplant recipients compared to controls.
Niacinamide may help prevent skin cancer by preventing cell damage caused by ultraviolet light, boosting cellular energy, and improving DNA repair. It also helps prevent immune suppression often caused by sun damage.
Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis are unable to remove excess minerals such as phosphorus from the blood. As a result, phosphorus levels can build up in the body and cause health problems.
Niacinamide supplements may help people with end-stage kidney disease break down phosphorus, which can help lower blood phosphorus levels.
A review of 12 studies found that nicotinamide is safe and effective for lowering phosphorus levels in hemodialysis patients. Researchers also found that niacinamide supplements helped increase cardioprotective HDL cholesterol levels in this population.
However, niacinamide may increase the risk of thrombocytopenia, or low platelet counts, in people with end-stage kidney disease, which may have negative health effects.
If you have end-stage kidney disease and are interested in taking niacinamide, talk to your doctor to make sure it is the right choice for your specific health needs.
A review of 10 studies, two of which used oral niacinamide supplements, found that niacinamide supplements significantly reduced the number of acne compared to baseline in both studies.
Although oral niacinamide may be effective in reducing some acne symptoms, evidence is currently limited and most studies examining the effects of nicotinamide on acne severity have focused on topical treatment rather than oral administration.
When taken in doses of 1,000 to 3,000 mg per day, niacin can cause a hot flash reaction, characterized by red and sometimes itchy skin, most commonly on the face, arms, and chest. This reaction is due to its crystalline niacin component.
Niacinamide has a different chemical structure from niacin and does not cause the same adverse reactions when taken in large doses. This is why some people often prefer niacinamide supplements over niacin.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can lead to blindness due to damage to the optic nerve. Niacinamide may help improve eye function and vision in patients with glaucoma by preventing nerve damage and improving cellular health.
A study of 57 glaucoma patients found that participants who took 1.5 grams of niacinamide per day for six weeks, followed by 3 grams of nicotinamide per day for six weeks, had better inner retinal function and improved vision. The retina is the innermost tissue of the eye and plays a key role in vision.
Glaucoma causes vision loss by damaging retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), the nerve cells responsible for sending visual stimuli to the brain. Niacinamide may help protect these cells from degeneration caused by glaucoma, which may help prevent vision loss.
Although niacinamide holds promise as a potential treatment for glaucoma, more research in this area is needed before conclusive conclusions can be drawn.
Niacinamide can be taken alone or in combination with other nutrients, such as other B vitamins, minerals, and herbal ingredients.
Niacinamide is usually recommended to be taken with food and is usually divided into several doses per day.
Many niacinamide supplements contain 500 mg or more of niacinamide per serving. Most studies examining the health effects of niacinamide have used doses ranging from 500 to 3000 mg per day.
However, it is usually not necessary to take very high doses of niacinamide. Even for people who are deficient in niacin, a dose of 500 mg per day is usually enough to increase niacin levels in the body.
In general, you should avoid taking high doses of niacinamide, such as those that provide more than 500 mg per day, unless directed by your doctor.
Niacinamide is generally well tolerated. It is clear that doses of 35 mg per day or less are safe, but doses of 900–1500 mg per day may be safe.
When taken in high doses of nicotinamide, more than 3 grams (3,000 mg) per day, it can cause serious side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and liver problems.
Additionally, niacinamide is not safe for everyone. For example, niacinamide may worsen gallbladder disease and stomach ulcers, and people with these conditions should generally avoid taking niacinamide.
Niacinamide has also been shown to increase the risk of thrombocytopenia, or low platelet counts, in dialysis patients with kidney failure.
People with diabetes should also be careful when taking niacinamide supplements, as they may increase blood sugar levels.
When taken in recommended amounts, niacinamide is considered safe for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding and for children. It is important that children do not take niacinamide above the upper limit for their age.
If you have any medical conditions, be sure to consult your doctor before taking any dietary supplements, including niacinamide.
In addition to medications, niacinamide may interact with certain herbs, such as ginger and ginseng, which have blood-thinning properties. Therefore, use caution when taking niacinamide with other dietary supplements, especially those that contain herbal ingredients.
If you are taking any medications or supplements, talk to your doctor before taking niacinamide.
When purchasing niacinamide supplements, it is best to purchase from companies that hire independent third-party laboratories to test the quality and purity of their supplements. Many supplement companies are certified by third-party organizations such as USP and NSF International, which helps ensure the safety and quality of their supplements.
Niacinamide is often sold as leave-on niacin because it does not cause the same side effects as niacin.
It is important to choose a form of niacinamide that you can tolerate. People who have trouble swallowing capsules may choose a liquid or powder niacinamide supplement.
Additionally, if you have sensitivities or allergies, you should purchase a niacinamide supplement that is free of potential allergens such as nuts, soy, gluten, and dairy.
Niacinamide supplements are safe when taken correctly. However, if you take too high a dose, it may cause unwanted side effects.
For example, niacinamide can cause symptoms such as stomach upset, dizziness, and rash, and may also cause liver toxicity if taken in high doses of more than 3 grams per day.
Children should not exceed the Tolerable Upper Limit (UL) for their age group. The UL limits for niacinamide for children ages 1 to 18 years are as follows:
Pregnant or breastfeeding people over 18 years of age should not take more than 35 mg of niacinamide per day.
Niacinamide has fewer side effects than other forms of niacin (B3) (niacin).
If you are taking niacinamide and experience any of these side effects, stop taking the supplement and seek advice from your doctor.
Post time: May-19-2024