Niacin Increases Memory Test Scores And Extends Lifespan
by Michael Mooney
There are lots of questions about nutrients for healthy brain function. What works? What doesn’t? Of all the nutrients
reported to be beneficial to the brain, one of the best, least talked about “smart nutrients” may be Niacin (nicotinic acid),
the more active form of Vitamin B3. (Niacinamide is the less active form of Vitamin B-3.) The following study showed
that Niacin, at a moderate dose, can improve memory test scores up to 40 percent.
Loriaux SM, et al. The effects of nicotinic acid and xanthinol nicotinate on human memory in different categories of age.
A double blind study. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 1985;87 (4):390-395.
ABSTRACT: The treatment effect of nicotinic acid and xanthinol nicotinate on human memory was compared with
placebo in 96 healthy subjects. Forty-three subjects were young (35-45 years), 30 subjects were middle aged
(55-65 years) and 23 subjects were old aged (75-85 years). Pre- and post- treatment scores were measured on a
battery of memory tasks, covering sensory register, short-term memory and long-term memory. The treatment regime
was 1 dragee t.i.d. for 8 weeks. The administration of xanthinol nicotinate (500 mg, containing 141.7 mg nicotinic acid),
nicotinic acid (141.7 mg) and placebo (lactose) was double-blind. Pre- and post- treatment scores were analyzed by
means of a multivariate covariance technique, the pre-treatment score serving as covariate. Nicotinic acid treatment
resulted in improvement of sensory register and short-term memory, while xanthinol nicotinate improved sensory
register, short-term memory and long-term memory. In comparison with placebo, both active compounds yielded
improvements of 10-40%, depending on the task. Treatment effects of nicotinic acid were predominantly found in the
young and middle-aged, whereas treatment effects of xanthinol nicotinate were predominantly found in the old. These
results are interpreted by the supposed activity of nicotinic acid at the cell membrane, improving neuronal transmission,
and of xanthinol nicotinate inside the cell, enhancing cell metabolism and oxygen supply in the brain.
Michael's Comment: Niacin improved short-term memory by up to 40% at a moderate dose of 141.7 mg three times
per day
(425 mg total per day). Other studies indicate that this may be because Niacin is necessary for the healthy functioning
of an enzyme that neutralizes several brain toxins that are known to interfere with normal healthy brain metabolism and clear
thinking.
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At very high doctor-prescribed therapeutic doses, such as 3000 mg per day, Niacin has also been shown to increase the
lifespan of men who had heart
attacks by 11 percent longer than was expected in an eight-year U.S. Government-sponsored
study of 8,341 men. Niacin
was shown to be more effective than five leading blood-fat lowering drugs. Always
consult your doctor before
any use of niacin for a medical condition.
See: Canner PL, et al., Fifteen-year mortality in Coronary Drug Project patients: long-term benefit with niacin.
J Am Coll
Cardiol, 8(6):1245-1255. 1986 Dec.
See also: Link Niacin to Longevity After an MI. Horowitz N., Medical Tribune 1985;26(12):1-2.