For people living with mitochondrial disease, recent research on niacin (vitamin B3) offers hope for a better life.
The University of Helsinki and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne recently studied nicotinamide riboside which is a form of vitamin B3. Their findings indicated that nicotinamide riboside (NR) can slow mitochondrial disease progression.
Nicotinamide riboside is a metabolic booster found in milk and whey. It is known as a miracle molecule.
Mitochondria generate ATP which fuels all of our cells. When mitochondria don't function efficiently inherited metabolic illness such as mitochondrial myopathy can result.
Cramps, pain and muscle weakness are some of the common symptoms. Thus far, there has been no cure for mitochondrial disease.
NR has been seen to help in the prevention or reduction of cholesterol issues, energy loss, insulin resistance, muscle loss and obesity and other symptoms associated with aging and slowing down in general.
NR creates NAD+ coenzyme -- nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide -- in the cells, which plays a vital role in the efficiency of the body's metabolic processes.
Mitochondria are the source of most of our cell's chemical energy. They also have to do with cell death and growth. They regulate cell division.
Dr. Nahid Khan who was in Professor Anu Suomalainen Wartiovaara's group reported that when food supplemented with nicotinamide riboside was fed to mice, mitochondrial myopathy was slowed. Mitochondrial mass and function was enhanced, and structural abnormalities were healed.
ScienceDailly.com reported that Professor Anu Suomalainen Wartiovaara observed, "These results are a breakthrough for understanding the mechanisms of human mitochondrial muscle diseases and for exploring the efficient treatment options for these progressive disorders of adults. They also highlight the potent role of niacin in guiding mitochondrial energy metabolism."
Data about this research came from the University of Helsinki.
This study is just the most recent research to encourage optimism about the possible benefits of NR for mitochondrial disease.
Researchers from the Dartmouth Medical School's Department of Genetics and Biology did a survey in 2007 about NAD+(1). Greater amounts of cellular NAD+ can be beneficial in cell protection and greater metabolic efficacy, increased cardiovascular health, regulating glucose levels and better cognition.
Current Pharmaceutical Design from the University of Cincinnati and the University of Utah School of Medicine research in 2009 suggested that NAD+ may benefit multiple sclerosis.
Research from PLoS Biology in 2012 indicated that higher NAD+ decreased muscular degradation linked with muscular dystrophy in zebrafish.
Weill Cornell Medical College and the Polytechnic School in Lausanne, Switzerland did research in 2012 that indicated that high levels of NR kept mice on a fatty diet from becoming obese.
Higher amounts of NAD+ made for better muscle performance. Energy expenditure was better, and development of diabetes was prevented. No side effects were seen.
Neurobiology of Aging research in 2013 showed that more NR in the diet could increase cognition from Alzheimer's disease. NR may decrease toxins in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer's disease.
The data that has been accumulating about the usefulness of nicotinamide riboside may be pointing to a better future for those whose lives have been burdened with mitochondrial disease.
Sources:
Energizing sick mitochondria with vitamin B3: Effective treatment for mitochondrial disease. ScienceDaily.com. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140407090403.htm
MLA APA Chicago. Helsingin yliopisto (University of Helsinki). "Energizing sick mitochondria with vitamin B3: Effective treatment for mitochondrial disease." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 7 April 2014.
NIAGEN: Nicotinamide Riboside Offers Huge Potential as Next Generation Niacin. Marketwatch.com. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/niagen-nicotinamide-riboside-offers-hug...
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Reviewed April 15, 2014
by Michele Blacksberg RN