Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B3 (nicotinamide)
For the body system: Nerves
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Vitamin B3, also known as nicotinamide (or niacinamide), plays a critical role in the nervous system primarily due to its function as a precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a coenzyme essential for cellular energy metabolism and DNA repair. Deficiency of vitamin B3 leads to pellagra, a disease characterized by dermatitis, diarrhea, and neuropsychiatric symptoms such as depression, cognitive impairment, and, in severe cases, dementia. The neurological manifestations of pellagra provide strong evidence for the vitamin's essential role in supporting healthy nerve function. Supplementation with nicotinamide or niacin effectively treats and prevents these neurological symptoms in cases of deficiency.
Beyond pellagra, some studies have explored the use of nicotinamide in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, as well as in peripheral neuropathies. While preclinical research and some small clinical trials suggest potential neuroprotective effects—possibly due to enhanced NAD+ synthesis and subsequent support of neuronal health—these applications are not yet well established in clinical practice. The majority of current scientific validation centers around the prevention and treatment of deficiency states rather than as a general neuro-supportive supplement in healthy individuals.
In summary, the use of vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) for supporting the nervous system is justified by solid scientific evidence in the context of deficiency, with emerging but not yet definitive evidence for broader neuroprotective roles.
Other ingredients that support Nerves
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)acetyl l-carnitine
alfalfa
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
anchovies
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
basil
beta caryophyllene
betel
black cohosh
sesame
bovine liver
broccoli
bасора
caffeine
calamari oil
calcium
California poppy
cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
chloride
choline
citicoline
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
copper
cordyceps
cowage seed
turmeric
d-alpha tocopherol
damiana
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
feverfew
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
folate
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
glycerophosphocholine (GPC)
gotu kola
guarana
guayusa
hemp oil
hops
huperzine A
inositol
iron
jujube
kava root
kudzu
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
l-carnitine
l-glycine
l-serine
l-phenylalanine
l-taurine
l-theanine
l-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
lecithin
lion's mane
mackerel
magnesium
magnolia
manganese
marine lipid
matcha
melatonin
milk
mint
motherwort
muira puama
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
niacin (vitamin B3)
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
oat
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
passionflower
peppermint oil
phosphatidylcholine
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
phosphorus
phytocannabinoids
polygala root
potassium
protein
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
reishi mushroom
relora® (proprietary)
rhodiola
rose oil
rosemary
saffron
sage
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sardines
sceletium
black ginger
skullcap
spearmint leaf
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
sphaeranthus indicus
spinach
thiamin (vitamin B1)
almond fruit
valerian root
vegetable blend (proprietary)
velvet bean
vinpocetine
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin D
vitamin E
water
wild yam
yeast
zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
suma
catnip
gastrodia
lobelia
mugwort
hedychium spicatum
peony
lingzhi
yarrow
prickly ash
sodium salt
kanna
silk tree
eucommia
sweet flag
morinda
oriental arborvitae
zanthoxylum
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
royal jelly
guelder rose
terpene lactones
polyphenols
trace minerals
purslane
camphor oil
menthol oil
St. John's Wort
yerba mate
wheat germ
noni
wood betony
hypothalamus
herbal blend (proprietary)
Sichuan pepper
yohimbe
cocoa
ashitaba
DMPX
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Aralia
Avens
Antler
Asiaticoside
Angelica
Arachidonic Acid
Apigenin
Albizia
Alpha glyceryl
Aconite
Avocado
Anserina
Agmatine
Adrafinil
Acetylcholine
Agarwood
Anemone
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Adrenaline
Animal protein
Betony
Bilobalide
Baikal Skullcap
Bleeding Heart
Biopterin
Black galingale
Beef
Beef liver
Bugbane
Baccosides
Bacopin
Baicalein
Benfotiamine
Black Gram
Brazil nut
Black willow
Brahmi
Bacopa
Broad Bean
Bee products
banana
bacoside
Baicalin
Black Hellebore
Bee venom
Borneol
Centrophenoxine
Coconut
Centella triterpenes
Caryophyllene
Clary sage
Cocarboxylase
Chinese Mountain Ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Catalpol
Cod Liver Oil
Curcuminoid
Canadine
Capsaicin
Cymbidium goeringii
Catecholamine
Cramp Bark
Chuchuhuasi
Calea zacatechichi
Centella asiatica
Coca
Chocolate
Capitate Valerian
Curcuma
Catuaba
Cowslip
Cannabidiol
Calamus
Convolvulus prostratus
Corydalis
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
Celastrus
Cytidine
cola nut
Canscora
Cannabichromene
Cannabigerol
Docosahexaenoic Acid
D-phenylalanine
Dicentra formosa
Dendrobium
Deer Velvet
Dihydrolipoic Acid
Dwarf Morning Glory
Dopamine
Date
Diterpenes
Deanol
Egg
Erythrina
Ergothioneine
Essential Oil Blend
Folic Acid
Flavin mononucleotide
Fo-Ti
Fish
Fatty acids
Flavones
fibroblast growth factor
Gelsemium
Ginsenosides
Galantamine
Griffonia simplicifolia
glucose
Ginkgolides
Ginkgo Flavone Glycoside
Ginkgoside
Glycolipids
Guaranine
Glycine
Ginkgoheteroside
Glutamic Acid
Gastrodin
jasmine
Lotus
Mimosa
Phosphate Salt
Poppy
Rose
Spikenard
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Shellfish
Squid
salt
Vervain
walnut
yohimbine
Other body systems supported by Vitamin B3 (nicotinamide)
BloodBrain
Circulatory System
Digestive System
Heart
Hepatic System
Immune System
Intestinal System
Liver
Mitochondria
Nerves
Skin
