Evidence supporting the use of: Niacin (vitamin B3)
For the body system: Nerves

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Niacin (Vitamin B3) and the Nervous System: Evidence Synopsis

Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is essential for cellular metabolism and plays a key role in the functioning of the nervous system. It is a precursor to the coenzymes NAD and NADP, which are involved in redox reactions critical for energy production in neurons. Severe niacin deficiency leads to pellagra, a condition characterized by dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, and, if untreated, death. The neurological symptoms of pellagra (such as depression, memory loss, and confusion) directly implicate niacin’s necessity for nervous system health.

However, evidence for niacin supplementation supporting overall nerve health or treating neurological disorders in non-deficient individuals is limited. While some small studies and case reports have suggested possible benefits in conditions like schizophrenia or neurodegenerative diseases, large-scale clinical trials are lacking, and these effects are not widely accepted in clinical practice. The primary scientific validation for niacin’s role in the nervous system is in the prevention and treatment of deficiency states rather than as a general nerve tonic or treatment for neuropathies.

In summary, there is strong scientific evidence that adequate niacin is essential for normal nerve function and to prevent deficiency-related neurological disorders. Beyond that, routine use of niacin supplements for nerve support in people without deficiency is not well supported by current scientific evidence.

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