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Vitamin B3
Niacin
Niacinamide
Nicotinamide
Nicotinic acid
Caution Vitamin B3 or Niacin
Wait for clinical trials to complete at University of Kansas (Dec 2018) before trying niacinamide for PKD.
Nicotinic acid inhibits angiogenesis
Caution wait with your Nephrologist before starting on Niacin.
Vitamin B3 Shows Promise for Treating PKD.
It can cause flushing and more.
Xiaogang Li, Ph.D., an associate professor of Nephrology and Hypertension and a member of the Kansas University Kidney Institute, found that vitamin B3 helped naturally inhibit the activity of a protein called Sirt1. This protein influences the formation and growth of cysts. Li and his colleagues were able to show that vitamin B3 slowed the creation of cysts and restored kidney function in mice with PKD. The results were published in the June 17, 2013 Journal of Clinical Investigation
Vitamin B3 or Niacin vs Niacinamide
Vitamin B3 is an essential vitamin required for processing fat in the body, lowering cholesterol levels, and regulating blood sugar levels. Recently it was discovered that B3 could decrease PKD cyst formation. Products labelled as no-flush niacin generally contain no nicotinic acid. The nicotinic acid is the substance that causes the flushing side effect of niacin.
Niacinamide is a reduced form of Niacin without much flushing effect. Niacin does give flushing (skin gets red, you feel hot) and niacin lowers cholesterol. A slight deficiency of niacin can lead to irritability, poor concentration, anxiety, fatigue, restlessness, apathy, and depression. An overdose of niacin can lead to skin rashes, dry skin, various digestive problems. Long term overdose can lead to liver damage, elevated blood sugar as well as increased risk of birth defects.
Nicotinamide
Nicotinamide, also known as niacinamide Nicotinic acid, also known as niacin, is converted to nicotinamide in vivo, though the two are identical in their vitamin functions, nicotinamide does not have the same pharmacological and toxic effects of niacin, which occur incidental to niacin's conversion. Thus nicotinamide does not reduce cholesterol or cause flushing, although nicotinamide may be toxic to the liver at doses exceeding 3 g/day for adults.
Side effects
Reactions range from flushing, itching, nervousness and headaches to intestinal cramps, nausea, and diarrhea. High doses of niacin can cause liver toxicity; doses in excess of 3 grams a day should be used only under careful medical supervision (for example, in the treatment of high cholesterol). Gout, abnormal heart rhythms and worsening of stomach ulcers side effects have also been reported with very high doses of supplemental vitamin B3.
Caution with Niacin
It is rare but sometimes liver failure can occur with individuals who take niacin. On the web niacin is touted as a way to pass a urine drug test. Wait for your doctor to recommend taking B3. One individual with PKD/severe PLD had a bad reaction to B3.Niacinamide PKD Trial
This is an uncontrolled open label feasibility trial at University of Kansas actively recruiting participants.Alcohol and B Vitamins
Alcohol intake depletes B vitamins and minerals. During pregnancy extra B is needed for the pregnancy. PKD researchers at KU in the USA feel that possibly Vitamin B3 may hold promise for not only the treatment of PKD but for women possibly pregnant with a child that may have PKD.Food Sources
Women should have 15 milligrams each day and men should have 15 to 19 milligrams each day. Tryptophan is an amino acid
that serves as a Vitamin B3 equivalent. Sixty milligrams of tryptophan is equal to 1 milligram of vitamin B3.
Corn is a great source of Vitamin B3 but limestone, the mineral, is needed to help release vitamin B3 in corn.
| Vegan Sources | Vitamin B3 Niacin |
|---|---|
| Avocados | Dates |
| Leafy vegetables | Broccoli |
| Carrots | Sweet Potatoes |
| Asparagus | Nuts |
| Whole grains | Legumes |
| Saltbush seeds | Shiitake mushrooms |
| Crimini mushrooms | Non-yeasted spelt bread |
| Green peas | Collard greens |
| Kale | Raspberries |
| Cauliflower | Spelt |
