NADH, or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is an activated form of vitamin B-3, commonly known as niacin. NADH is present in all living cells and is involved in energy production and balancing neurotransmitters in your brain. As such, supplemental NADH may play a role in reducing the incidence of headaches associated with chronic fatigue and certain migraine headaches. On the other hand, too much NADH may contribute to worsening hangover headaches from alcohol consumption.
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
NADH is utilized as an antioxidant enzyme facilitator in the mitochondria of all cells in your body. Within the energy-producing mitochondria, NADH is used to synthesize the energy storage molecule ATP, which is the body's main "currency" of energy exchange. Simply put, the more energy cells need, the more NADH they need to make the ATP. As such, NADH is especially important to your brain and entire nervous system because they require lots of energy to maintain healthy function. According to "Biochemical, Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition," NADH also affects the production of certain neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, norepinephrine and acetylcholine, that are related to mood, concentration and memory.
NADH and Chronic Fatigue Headaches
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disorder of unknown cause, but likely multi-factorial, consisting of debilitating fatigue, muscle and joint pain, weakness, sleep disturbance and frequent headaches. Chronic fatigue headaches are often dull and achy in nature, as opposed to throbbing and migraine-like. According to a study published in a 1999 edition of "Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology," 31 percent of chronic fatigue sufferers responded very favorably to NADH supplements, especially in terms of increased levels of energy and reduced headaches. The researchers concluded that NADH may be a valuable therapy in the management of chronic fatigue syndrome, or components of the condition, such as low energy and chronic headaches.
NADH and Migraines
According to "Human Biochemistry and Disease," a growing body of research indicates that NADH may enhance or balance brain chemistry, which can have a positive impact on neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, but also on some varieties of migraine headaches. The cause of most migraine headaches is still debated, but an imbalance of neurotransmitters, hormones or other chemicals in the brain has been suggested by a variety of researchers. Brain chemistry imbalance is thought to lead directly to inflammation and pain, or to disruption in blood vessel diameter and blood flow, which eventually leads to the throbbing pain of migraines. According to the "Comprehensive Review of Headache Medicine," low NADH levels have been linked to migraine headaches and some inflammatory conditions. Further, an imbalance of some neurotransmitters is known to cause depression, which is often linked with chronic headaches.
NADH and Hangover Headaches
There are a number of factors that contribute to hangover headaches, such as dehydration, allergic reaction, toxicity and energy depletion. In an effort to break down ethanol by liver enzymes, toxic acetaldehyde is produced along with an excess of NADH. Excess NADH can inhibit certain reactions that impair the ability of the liver to compensate for reduced blood glucose levels, which is especially important for brain function, as cited by the "Textbook of Medical Physiology." As such, a state of hypoglycemia can occur after excessive alcohol consumption, which leads to fatigue, weakness, mood disturbance and headache. Thus, supplementing with NADH while drinking alcohol or the morning after may worsen hangover headaches, although once the metabolites of ethanol are fully flushed from the body, NADH may once again be used to combat fatigue.
References
- "Biochemical, Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition"; Martha Stipanuk; 2006
- "Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology"; Therapeutic Effects of Oral NADH on the Symptoms of Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; L.M. Forsyth, et al.; February 1999
- "Human Biochemistry and Disease"; Gerald Litwack; 2008
- "Comprehensive Review of Headache Medicine"; Morris Levin, et al.; 2008
- "Textbook of Medical Physiology, Tenth Edition"; Arthur C. Guyton, et al.; 2000
Member Comments