Potential benefits of vitamin B3 for Parkinson’s

We often hear about the benefits of vitamin B1 and B12 for people with Parkinson’s. There is a new research which provides evidence about vitamin B3 and how it can help. Researchers add to existing evidence that vitamin B3 may help slow down the progression of Parkinson's. A new phase 1 clinical trial, the NR-SAFE study, has published promising signs that taking a high dose of vitamin B3 is safe, and can reduce some symptoms for people with Parkinson’s. Why vitamin B3? There are 3 forms of vitamin B3: niacin (also known as nicotinic acid), nicotinamide, and nicotinamide riboside. All 3 are related and used by the body in the same way. The body cannot store this vitamin, so having enough vitamin B3 is essential. Fortunately it is found in many different foods, including chicken, tuna, eggs, broccoli and peanuts. So keeping a healthy diet can usually provide us with enough. Research carried out in fruit flies has shown that higher doses of nicotinamide riboside, one of the forms of vitamin B3, may boost energy in nerve cells in the brain. This could then protect them from being damaged. It does this by boosting levels of a compound called NAD that is used to generate energy inside cells in the body. A previous study, published in 2022, found that nicotinamide riboside may be beneficial for people with Parkinson’s. The results showed that the vitamin could protect brain cells by improving energy production and reducing inflammation. However, the most effective dose of vitamin B3 was unclear, and taking a very high dose daily had not been explored at all. Read more about this new research by clicking on the link below.