Re: Vitamin B3 and Alzheimer's

[Guest guest]

This is encouraging news. Drs. Hoffer and Osmond experimented

successfully with vitamin B3, which has two analogues, niacin and

niacinamide, on people diagnosed with schizophrenia. Pellagra, a

deficiency of niacin, is indistinguishable from schizophrenia, so

Hoffer and Osmond gave schizophrenics more, sometimes much more,

vitamin B3 than the RDA. The results were nothing short of

breathtaking. Google " orthomolecular medicine " or Dr. Hoffer.

My own daughter was diagnosed with schizophrenia 8 years ago,

languished on anti-psychotics and concommitant tranquilizers to make

the side effects almost bearable. Never got better until she began

vitamin/supplement treatments prescribed by Dr. Hoffer, who now

practices as a nutritionist. After two years on niacin, salmon oil,

and several other supplements, she is working full-time, supporting

herself and engages in normal conversations. Ask me if I believe in

the value of vitamin B3 and improved brain function!!

Lowther

>

> From BBC news:

>

> A vitamin found in meat, fish and potatoes may help protect the

brain

> from Alzheimer's disease - and even boost memory in healthy people.

>

> US researchers found vitamin B3 lowered levels of a protein linked

to

> Alzheimer's damage in mice.

>

> The Journal of Neuroscience study also showed the animals performed

> better at memory tests.

>

> UK Alzheimer's charities said people should not start taking the

> vitamin before results from human studies.

>

> This suggests that not only is it good for Alzheimer's disease, but

if

> normal people take it, some aspects of their memory might improve

> said Professor LaFerla

> University of California, Irvine

>

> The vitamin, also called nicotinamide by scientists, is sold in UK

> pharmacies and health food shops.

>

> It has already been shown to help people suffering from diabetes

> complications and has some anti-inflammatory qualities.

>

> The researchers, from the University of California at Irvine, added

> the vitamin to drinking water given to mice bred to develop a

version

> of Alzheimer's disease, then tested the levels of certain chemicals

> associated with the condition.

>

> They found that levels of one, called phosphorylated tau, were

> significantly lower in the animals.

>

> This protein is involved in abnormal 'deposits' in brain cells,

called

> 'tangles', which contribute to the brain damage which progressively

> affects people with Alzheimer's.

>

> Using 'water mazes', the team also found some evidence that memory

was

> enhanced in both 'Alzheimer's' mice and unaffected mice.

>

> Dr Kim Green, who led the study, said that human tests were

> progressing: " Nicotinamide has a very robust effect on neurons. It

> prevents loss of cognition in mice with Alzheimer's disease, and the

> beauty of it is we already are moving forward with a clinical

trial. "

>

> His colleague Professor LaFerla, said: " This suggests that not

> only is it good for Alzheimer's disease, but if normal people take

it,

> some aspects of their memory might improve. "

>

> ne Sorensen, the head of research at the Alzheimer's Society,

> said the research was " interesting " and pointed to new ways to treat

> the condition.

>

> " From the research, it appears that Nicotinamide has more than one

> beneficial effect on nerve cells including the facilitation of the

> recycling of the 'bad' phosphorylated tau.

>

> " Nicotinamide occurs naturally in meat, fish, beans, cereals and

> potatoes and is cheap and easy to take.

>

> " However, more research is now needed to explore the possible

> mechanisms involved so we can better understand if Nicotinamide

could

> have the same effect in people and, if it does, what level of

vitamin

> intake would be required. "

>

> Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust,

said

> until the human research was completed, people should not start

taking

> the supplement.

>

> " These are exciting findings, but until the results from the human

> clinical trial are announced, people should be wary about changing

> their diet or taking supplements. In high doses vitamin B3 can be

toxic. "

>

> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7710365.stm

>

[Guest guest]

>> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7710365.stm

Hi All,

The pdf of the below paper is availed.

"... nicotinamide ... interferes with lifespan extension from CR, but does so independent of Sir2".

Tsuchiya M, Dang N, Kerr EO, Hu D, Steffen KK, Oakes JA, Kennedy BK, Kaeberlein M.Sirtuin-independent effects of nicotinamide on lifespan extension from calorie restriction in yeast.Aging Cell. 2006 Dec;5(6):505-14.PMID: 17129213 http://tinyurl.com/5j7dvo