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What Are the Benefits of Niacinamide?

A. Pasbjerg
A. Pasbjerg

Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide, is a form of vitamin B3 that can provide a variety of health benefits when taken as a supplement. It can help relieve the discomforts of arthritis and asthma. People with diabetes may benefit from taking it, and it is even thought to help prevent the onset of type I diabetes. Another of the potential benefits of niacinamide is reduction of anxiety, depression, and other psychological issues, and it may also help delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Skin conditions like acne and rosacea, as well as the effects of aging like wrinkles, may improve with the use of niacinamide.

One of the main benefits is the relief of arthritis. Studies have shown that people who take it as a supplement can show a marked reduction in symptoms of the disease. For some, it may be a useful alternative to taking nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other pain-relieving drugs.

A niacinamide supplement might help some people recover from depression.
A niacinamide supplement might help some people recover from depression.

Improvement of asthma symptoms is another of the possible benefits of niacinamide. Taking it has been shown to decrease both mast cell degranulation and histamine release, which can exacerbate the condition. Therefore, asthmatics may want to try adding the supplement to their diet.

Diabetics may also benefit from taking niacinamide. It is thought to help improve insulin production and also to decrease insulin insensitivity. Those who are prone to the early onset of type I diabetes may also be less likely to develop it if they take niacinamide.

Niacinamide may help alleviate throat swelling and tightness related to asthma.
Niacinamide may help alleviate throat swelling and tightness related to asthma.

Another of the benefits of niacinamide is its use in reducing psychological distress. People who are stressed, anxious, or depressed may be able to reduce these feelings by taking a supplement, particularly if they are the result of a deficiency of the nutrient. Niacinamide has also been shown to help insomniacs sleep better.

Niacinamide is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties. This can be of particular benefit to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's patients, especially early in the diseases, as it helps reduce inflammation in the brain that can contribute to these conditions. It may also reduce levels of a protein that causes lesions in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.

High doses of niacinamide may cause fatigue.
High doses of niacinamide may cause fatigue.

The benefits of niacinamide for treating skin conditions are also extensive. It can be applied as a gel to treat acne. Studies have shown that it may also help in the treatment of rosacea. Thought to have anti-aging properties, it may help to improve the appearance of fine lines, sallowing, and wrinkles in the skin.

Discussion Comments

anon951640

I suffered from anxiety for a number of years. Tried meditation, detox, exercise, EFT technique and changing my nutrition, but none of that provided a permanent solution. Whatever was causing it was not related to food, illness or nutrition. I spent money on books, relaxation content, diets and motivational media.

For years, I've been working with computers and it hit me that my anxiety was being caused by radio frequencies! I was constantly surrounded by TV, Wi-Fi, cell phones, tablets, gaming consoles and computers. Furthermore, I began to learn about brainwaves and the effects of electromagnetism from all these devices being at close proximity. Phone companies also started putting cell phone towers all around my neighborhood a few years ago and made the issue worse.

What most people don't realize is spending too much time on computers, tablets, cell phones and being bombarded with radio frequencies causes a split personality! You don't even realize it but your body is warning you via anxiety attacks. You are literally trapped within a suggestive state. (This may also be caused by subliminal ads from media sources you are constantly watching and listening to)

Here are the magic words you must tell yourself: face reality.

When you say this to yourself a number of times, either quietly or mentally, you take back control of your mind. Your anxiety is literally being caused by radio frequencies and information overload. In other words, your mind is in a delusional state. It's a fantasy world just like when you sit down and play video games for hours. When I started to say those magic words, the anxiety stopped immediately!

I'm still using all these gadgets, but you must make it clear to your mind that these things are just tools! If you don't do that, your mind literally remains in a delusional state causing you constant anxiety! It's stuck in a loop and you need to take back control of your mind.

Nutrition, exercise and a balanced lifestyle are important, but it's essential to remain in control of your mind! Good luck.

stoneMason

I'm so excited to read about niacinamide benefits for Alzheimer's. My father has been suffering from Alzheimer's for the past five years. I hope that this helps him. But how much should he take?

candyquilt

@ZipLine-- I don't think there is a consensus on niacinamide for anxiety. I took it for several weeks and it didn't do anything for me. But I have read on forums that some people have benefited a lot from it.

So this might be something you need to try yourself to see if it works. Just make sure that you get niacinamide and not naicin. Niacin is also a form of vitamin B3 but it has the opposite effect of niacinamide so it will make your anxiety worse.

ZipLine

Has anyone tried niacinamide for anxiety? I heard that niacinamide is beneficial for people with anxiety because it helps increase serotonin in the brain.

Is this true? Does it really work? How much niacinamide should I take for anxiety?

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    • A niacinamide supplement might help some people recover from depression.
      By: Alexander Raths
      A niacinamide supplement might help some people recover from depression.
    • Niacinamide may help alleviate throat swelling and tightness related to asthma.
      By: jinga80
      Niacinamide may help alleviate throat swelling and tightness related to asthma.
    • High doses of niacinamide may cause fatigue.
      By: kmiragaya
      High doses of niacinamide may cause fatigue.
    • Niacinamide may be applied as a gel to treat acne.
      By: phasinphoto
      Niacinamide may be applied as a gel to treat acne.
    • Most B-complex vitamin supplements contain niacinamide.
      By: Nenov Brothers
      Most B-complex vitamin supplements contain niacinamide.
    • Niacinamide has been shown to help insomniacs.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Niacinamide has been shown to help insomniacs.
    • Some anti-wrinkle creams include niacinamide as an ingredient.
      By: luiscarceller
      Some anti-wrinkle creams include niacinamide as an ingredient.
    • Niacinamide may help to delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
      By: blueringmedia
      Niacinamide may help to delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
    • Niacinamide may help reduce inflammation in the brain.
      By: CLIPAREA.com
      Niacinamide may help reduce inflammation in the brain.