You must read and accept the disclaimer to use this site. Updated for monthly, 2011

You must read and accept the disclaimer to use this site.

 Vitamin: B3, niacin

Daily Value: 20 mg

Hazardous level: safe at more than 10xRDA

Average intake in US diet: 41 mg (note inconsistent with 27.9 mg ave. daily intake - different sources)

Function: component of two coenzymes, NAD and NADP, present in all cells for metabolism

and energy generation. Aids metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and protein; promotes healthy

skin and digestive function

DOSAGE RATIONALE: Once again, vitamin B3 is safe at elevated levels. Because of possible

decreased absorption, RDA intake is justified, and combined with diet, achieves 150% level for

elderly. Also may reduce risk in all for Parkinson's.

KEY NOTES AND REFERENCES:

Hellenbrand, W. et al, "Diet and Parkinson's disease", Neurology 47: 644-50 (1996)

"Our results suggest that if antioxidants play a protective role in [Parkinson's], the

amounts provided by diet alone are insufficient."- lower levels of niacin in those with

Parkinsons

Jacobson, EL, et al, "Evaluating the role of niacin in human carcinogenesis", Biochimie 77: 394-8 (1995)

"niacin deficiency leading to reduced NAD levels may enhance carcinogenesis"- niacin

deficiency may enhance carcinogenesis

Zhang, ZF, et al "Adenocarcinomas of the esophagus and gastric cardia: the role of diet", Nutr. Cancer

27: 298-309 (1997)

"Decreased risk...was significantly associated with high ingestion of...niacin, vitamin B6, iron,

and zinc. Higher intakes of vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin E, folate, phosphorus, and

potassium were associated with a decreased risk..."- decreased risk of adenocarcinoma with

higher intake of niacin

Alhadeff, L. et al, "Toxic effects of water-soluble vitamins", Nutr. Rev. 42: 33-40 (1984)

"it is now known that high doses of water-soluble vitamins may indeed have toxic effects"

Table II: vitamin disorder

nicotinic acid asthma, diabetes, liver, gout, cardiac, CNS

folate masks B12 deficiency, causes insomnia

pantothenate causes diarrhea

B1 causes irritability

B6 causes convulsions, antagonizes L-dopa in

Parkinsons, neural troubles

- high doses of niacin can aggravate/cause asthma, diabetes, gout, cardiac other probs.

Baker, H., et al, "Vitamin Profiles in elderly persons living at home or in nursing homes, versus profile in

healthy young subjects," J Am Ger Soc 27:444-50 (1979)

"473 elderly persons...The circulating levels of biotin, pantothenate, riboflavin, vitamins A, B6,

B12, C, E, folate, Thiamine, nicotinate, and carotenes were determined in all groups."

"Thiamine, vitamin C and vitamin B12 levels were strikingly depressed in the non-institutional

elderly... Over 30% of the institutional elderly had vitamin B6 and nicotinate

hypovitaminemia...Both the institutional and the non-institutional elderly showed depressed

levels of folate and vitamin B12...Vitamin supplementation reduced the percentage of folate and

B12 deficits." - 29% of elderly were deficient

WHITE PAPER REFERENCES FOR STAY WELL FORMULATIONS

Chandra, R. K., "Effect of vitamin and trace-element supplementation on immune responses and

infection in elderly subjects", Lancet 340: 1124-27 (1992)

study of 96 people, had 23 vs. 48 days of illness, recipe 400 iu retinol, 16 mg beta-

carotene, 2.2 mg thiamin, 1.5 mg riboflavin, 16 mg niacin, 3 mg B6, 400 mcg folate, 4

mcg B12, 80 mg C, 4 mcg D, 44 mg E, 16 mg Iron, 200 mg Ca, 100 mg Mg

"thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, ascorbic acid, retinol, alpha-tocopherol, folic acid,

cyanocobalanin, carotene and biotin status were assessed in a sample of 243 young

British adults... The status of ascorbic acid, cyanocobalamin, alpha-tocopherol, folic acid

and in males retinol, was adequate in the majority of cases. In the cases of riboflavin and

pyridoxine the status of a substantial minority was either borderline or deficient. The

thiamin and biotin status of a minority of both sexes, and retinol in the females, was

marginal" In riboflavin the status of a substantial minority of 243 British students was

either borderline or deficient.

WHITE PAPER REFERENCES FOR STAY WELL FORMULATIONS

Chandra, R. K., "Effect of vitamin and trace-element supplementation on immune responses and

infection in elderly subjects", Lancet 340: 1124-27 (1992)

study of 96 people, had 23 vs. 48 days of illness, recipe 400 iu retinol, 16 mg beta-

carotene, 2.2 mg thiamin, 1.5 mg riboflavin, 16 mg niacin, 3 mg B6, 400 mcg folate, 4

mcg B12, 80 mg C, 4 mcg D, 44 mg E, 16 mg Iron, 200 mg Ca, 100 mg Mg