If you eat a diet rich in green vegetables, beans, meat, yeast, fish, fortified cereals and brewed coffee, yes coffee, you are likely getting sufficient amounts of niacinamide and nicotinic acid, forms of vitamin B-3. The form niacinamide is used for the treatment of dermatitis and other skin conditions. It was believed several years ago that niacinamide would help reduce blood sugar levels because of its relationship with insulin.
Effect on Blood Sugar
Treatment with niacinamide supplementation for lowering blood sugar or aiding in the treatment of diabetes is currently under debate. Solid scientific evidence of this was not available at the time of publication. MayoClinic.com stated that niacinamide can delay the need for insulin by reducing blood sugar levels, but researchers for MedLine Plus note that niacinamide supplementation increases blood sugar. In a five-year, large-scale intervention study published by "Lancet" in 2004, researchers also found niacinamide ineffective against Type 1 diabetes and lowering blood sugar.
Other Uses of Niacinamide
There are other uses of niacinamide being studied besides the lowering of blood sugar. One of the main scientifically proven beneficial uses of niacinamide is in the treatment of pellegra, a condition that occurs if you are not getting adequate vitamin B-3. Niacinamide is preferred for treating pellagra because it does not cause redness of the skin or flushing like nicotinic acid. Niacinamide treatment for osteoarthritis is also being evaluated. In a July 1996 study published in "Inflammation Research," researchers concluded that more evidence is needed to determine the overall effectiveness of niacinamide on osteoarthritis However, the study determined that niacinamide improved joint flexibility, reduced inflammation and allowed patients to reduce anti-inflammatory medications.
If you have experienced or are experiencing dermatitis or other skin conditions, it is possible that the lotion or cream medication prescribed by your physician or dermatologist contains niacinamide. However, at the time of publication, there is no evidence to show if such topical uses for skin conditions are effective.
Symptoms and Side Effects
If you have been experiencing chronic dermatitis, diarrhea and dementia symptoms, you may have a vitamin B-3 deficiency condition known as pellegra and should consult with your physician. Pellegra symptoms are referred to as the "4 D's" and are not trivial, with the fourth "D" being death if the deficiency continues over a long period of time. If supplementation is necessary, the most tolerated form of vitamin B-3 is niacinamide, rather than nicotinic acid. However, high supplemental doses at three grams per day can cause nausea, vomiting and liver toxicity. There are time-release forms of niacinamide supplements that have fewer side effects than non-time-released tablets according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The vitamin B-3 you get from food sources does not typically cause any side effects.
Interactions
Niacinamide and nicotinic acid may increase blood sugar levels if taken together with diabetes medications. Vitamin B3 will also interfere with the absorption of the antibiotic tetracycline, reducing its effectiveness. Niacinamide is known to have interfered with cholesterol-lowering medications and nicotine smoking cessation patches. Because of these serious interactions, consult your physician before taking any vitamin B3 supplements.
References
- Medline Plus: Niacin and Niacinamide (Vitamin B3); February 2011
- Mayoclinic.com; Niacin (Vitamin B3, Nicotinic Acid), Niacinamide; April 2011
- "Lancet"; Nicotinamide Diabetes Intervention Trial: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Intervention Before the Onset of Type 1 Diabetes; EA Gale et al; March 2004
- Linus Pauling Institute; Niacin; 2011
- "Inflammation Research"; The Effect of Niacinamide on Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study; WB Jonas et al; July 1996
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Vitamin B3 (Niacin); June 2009
