Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) Reverses Alzheimer's Disease and Restores Memory
By Michael Mooney

Updated August, 2012

A study was conducted with mice that showed that high doses of vitamin B3 (as niacinamide) caused reversal of Alzheimer's Disease, including re-gaining lost memory.

OK. While this is interesting, it's a mouse study, not a human study.

Well, the results were so exciting that a human study is being conducted at University of Californiat (UC) at Irvine with the co-operation of the very conservative Alzheimer's Association.

I am eager to see the results of that study but rather than wait a year or two to talk about it, I am telling people about this potential effect now.

Niacinamide is not toxic at the dose that this study says would work for humans, 3,000 mg a day, and it's inexpensive so why not see if it helps people - and their loved ones - suffering from this debilitating disease.

Note that because niacinamide blood levels decrease after about 90 minutes, the most effective dosing would likely be 250 mg every 90 minutes.

Or to make life easier 1,500 mg of extended-release niacinamide could be taken two times a day.

The product that is being used for the UCLA human study called Enduramide is available in 500 mg extended-release tablets.

I bought some and am taking it, but not 3,000 mg a day because I don't have Alzheimer's or any symptoms of possible early Alzheimer's.

I sometimes take one or two tablets during the day, and three tablets before sleep because niacinamide has also been shown to have similar actions on the benzodiazepine receptors in the brain to the sleeping medication, Valium, that can make you feel calm and sleepy.

I don't find that it feels like a drug and don't notice it making me feel sleepy during the day, but it does seem to enhance deeper, restful sleep taking 1,500 mg before bedtime.

A HUMAN ALZHEIMER'S STUDY OF A COENZYME THAT NIACINAMIDE CONVERTS TO IN THE BODY
Demarin V, et al. Treatment of Alzheimer's disease with stabilized oral nicotinamide adenide dinucleotide: a randomized, double-blind study. Drugs Exp Clin Res. 2004;30(1):27-33.

Abstract
This study was designed to evaluate the effect of stabilized oral nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) on cognitive functioning in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). NADH is a coenzyme that plays a key role in cellular energy production and stimulates dopamine production. In previous trials NADH has been shown to improve cognitive functioning in patients with Parkinson's disease, depression and AD. The present trial was a randomized, placebo-controlled, matched-pairs, double-blind, 6-month clinical study. Patients with probable AD (n = 26) were randomized to receive either stabilized oral NADH (10 mg/day) or placebo. Twelve pairs of subjects were matched for age and baseline total score on the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS) and the Mini Mental State Examination. After 6 months of treatment, subjects treated with NADH showed no evidence of progressive cognitive deterioration and had significantly higher total scores on the MDRS compared with subjects treated with placebo (p < 0.05). Analysis of MDRS subscales revealed significantly better performance by NADH subjects on measures of verbal fluency (p = 0.019), visual-constructional ability (p = 0.038) and a trend (p = 0.08) to better performance on a measure of abstract verbal reasoning. There were no differences between groups in measures of attention, memory, or in clinician ratings of dementia severity (Clinical Dementia Rating). Consistent with earlier studies, the present findings support NADH as a treatment for AD.

Also see my article about niacin improving memory test scores.

Always consult your doctor before any use of niacinamide for a medical condition.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is for educational purposes only, and is in no way a substitute for the advice of a qualified medical doctor, registered dietitian, certified nutritionist, or exercise physiologist. When you ask any health care professional to help you make decisions about your personal healthcare, I recommend that you show them the information you find here because they may not be aware of it and the scientific studies that support it. Appropriate medical therapy and the use of pharmaceutical or nutritional compounds should be tailored for the individual as no two individuals are alike. I do not recommend self-medicating with any compound as you should consult with a qualified medical doctor, preferably one who is knowledgeable about nutrition and complementary/functional medicine who can determine your individual situation. Any use of the information presented in this publication for personal medical therapy is done strictly at your own risk and no responsibility is implied or intended on the part of the contributing writers, or the publisher.