Niacinamide

Overview

Niacinamide, also known as Nicotinamide, is a derivative of Niacin (Vitamin B3).

Aging Process

 Niacinamide (2,000 - 3,000 mg per day) may help to retard the Aging Process at a cellular level ^[1], and may function as a Life Extension agent. ^[2]  The mechanism for this effect is as follows:

 Niacinamide increases levels of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD).

 NAD is a cofactor for the activity of Sir2p, an enzyme that upregulates the deacetylation, removal of Acetyl units, from Chromatin.

  Chromatin, when deacetylated, provides a protective cover to
   Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

 Extrachromosomal rDNA Circles (ERCs), which stimulate a process known as Gene Silencing and therefore accelerate the Aging Process, are unable to issue “Cell strangulation and cellular death” messages to DNA that is protected by deacetylated Chromatin. 

Cardiovascular System

 Niacinamide may be an effective adjunct therapy for the early treatment of Stroke.  ^[3]

Cells

 Niacinamide may help to counteract excessive Oxidation (Free Radicals)-induced Apoptosis of normal, healthy Cells.  ^[4] 

Excretory System

 Niacinamide may retard the development of Diabetic Nephropathy.  ^[5]

Eyes/Vision

 Niacinamide may help to prevent Retinopathy.  ^[6] 

Immune System

 Niacinamide may inhibit the growth of Candida albicans.  ^[7]

 Niacinamide may inhibit the growth of Leishmania.  ^[8]

 Niacinamide (applied topically) may help prevent skin cancer caused by excessive exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation (UV-B).  ^[9] 

Metabolism

 Niacinamide may exert potent Antioxidants effects in the Brain.  ^[10]

 Niacinamide may lower elevated Blood Sugar levels.  ^[11]

 Niacinamide may alleviate Hypoglycemia.  ^[12]

 Niacinamide may retard the development of Diabetic Nephropathy in Diabetes Mellitus patients:  ^[5]

 Niacinamide (2,000 mg per day) may help to prevent the onset of Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 by protecting the Beta Cells of the Islets of Langerhans from destruction ^[13]

 Daily administration of Niacinamide reduced the incidence of Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 from 20% in a test population to 7.1% of the test population.

 Note that Niacinamide does not have any effect on patients with established Diabetes Mellitus Type 1, as its primary effect is to protect the Beta Cells that have largely all been destroyed once Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 becomes evident.

 Niacinamide may stabilize Blood Sugar levels in Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 patients.  ^[14]

 Niacinamide may inhibit Alcohol (ethanol) from damaging the Liver.  ^[15] 

Musculoskeletal System

 Niacinamide may help to prevent and treat degeneration of Intervertebral Disks.  ^[16]

 Niacinamide (1,000 - 3,000 mg per day) may be an effective treatment for Osteoarthritis. Niacinamide therapy can improve the global impact of Osteoarthritis, enhance Joint flexibility, reduce Inflammation, and allow Osteoarthritis patients to reduce their dosage of Anti-Inflammatory Drugs.  ^[17]