Niacinamide Treatment for Alzheimer's

| Modified on Sep 08, 2024
The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Niacinamide
Posted by Kh (Las Vegas, Nv) on 12/01/2013
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Niacinamide worked for my mother's dementia. The dosage was time-release 1500 mg twice a day (breakfast and bedtime).

She went from asking the same question every 60 seconds (for example, she would ask where my father was, we'd answer that he was in the hospital, then seconds later she'd ask again) and being unable to take a shower because she couldn't remember how to do it, to being 100% her old normal self pre-dementia.

She can now shower and dress herself and apply her own make-up. She is back to cooking my parents' meals. She keeps the house clean. She remembers answers to questions. She is able to participate in conversations. She remembers events of the past few years that she had completely lost. She knows what year it is. She knows her age and my father's age.

Also, she had gotten very erratic emotionally. Now she's got her old personality back.

She got it all back.

She had no trouble with side effects.

We've been tapering down her dosage to see how she handles it. Right now she's on 1000 mg time release 2x a day, and so far so good.

Niacinamide
Posted by Lisa (Providence, Ri) on 01/20/2014
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

My mother started taking Niacinamide 500mg twice daily for Alzheimer's and realized immediate improvement with her memory and cognitive functioning. We could see a dramatic improvement with the first dose, and continued improvement with each successive dose. Over the course of a week or so, she is functioning at close to 100%. If you have a loved one with Alzheimer's, please try this remedy.

KH, I can't thank you enough for your post!

Niacinamide
Posted by Kh (Las Vegas, Nv) on 12/02/2013
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

My mother asked me to post another message about what the past few months have been like (since she started on the niacinamide). She said that it was like having windows suddenly flung open, like she could suddenly see things again that had been hidden from her.

In yesterday's post, I had reported that she had no side effects. She asked me to tell you that she tended to feel dizzy with physical exercise - for example, at the end of a walk. This is something that she has only reported since being on the niacinamide. I am just thrilled that she can remember having felt dizzy.


Niacinamide
Posted by Kh (Las Vegas, Nv) on 12/01/2013

Editor's Choice

Takes 4 Months to See Results

I forgot to mention that it took just under four months for us to see what seemed to be a full cure, but we started to notice improvement even after a few days.

For example, my mother was able to remember that my father was in the hospital after about three days on niacinamide. She was able to remember how to shower after about a week and a half, but she still forgot where the soap was. She was able to remember where the soap was a few days later.

She was able to remember to feed the dogs (and what to feed them) after about three weeks. It took almost a month for her to remember what year it was and her age.


Niacinamide
Posted by Art (California ) on 05/11/2017 2326 posts
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Niacinamide for Alzheimer's and Dementia:

If you want just niacinamide with no additives at all and you are going to open capsules to divide your doses, you can just order pure niacinamide bulk powder such as this which should be better and cheaper:

https://www.amazon.com/BulkSupplements-Vitamin-Niacinamide-Powder-grams/dp/B00GW2LXWO/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1494483459&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=pure+bulk+niacinamide&th=1

For people who are planning to take multiple doses per day, as some people have reported doing for Alzheimer's Disease, here is a method that might make it easier to take.

Niacinamide is water soluble, so if you are willing to do the math, you could potentially figure the total dose you want to take per week and dissolve it into water, juice, a sports drink etc.. As a basic example, let's say you want to take a total of 1,000mg of niacinamide per day in 10 divided doses or 100 mg per dose.

You would multiply the 1,000 mg daily dose times 7 to get the weekly dose of 7,000mg. Take those 7,000 mg as weighed on a cheap digital scale and dissolve it into a liter of water, juice, gatorade etc. The liter needs to be divided into 70 equal doses of 14.285 ml or just under a half ounce and each dose should deliver approximately 100 mg of niacinamide. Measure out one dose and pour it into something like a shot glass.

Make a mark on the shot glass that is equal to 14.285 ml and this is where you will fill the shot glass to for each dose. You would take ten of these partial shots each day.

By the end of 7 days the bottle should be empty. There are a couple of variations on this, but it will be easier to drink this mix than take capsules all day long and you won't be getting all of the fillers and gelatin capsules.......just the niacinamide.

Art

Niacinamide
Posted by HisJewel (New York) on 03/23/2023
★★★★★

Hello Nelda,

The measurement for the Niacin powder supplement should be on the back of the package or jar. My Niacin powder says 1/6th teaspoon for 500mgs, I saw another brand that said 1/5 of a teaspoon of the Niacin powder is 500mgs, and yet another brand of Niacin powder that came with a scoop that says 1000mgs is obtained by using the included scoop so that one would be half of a scoop for 500mgs of Niacin.

I have used the fifteen hundred mgs dose of the Niacin, but it seems the Ginkgo Biloba shows faster results for me. Perhaps it depends on why the memory is so slow, or hit and miss. My mother used Ginkgo Biloba. She always thought she would lose her memory because of normal forgetfulness. Her memory was sharp all her years and days. She had us helping her with somethings because of health; however, at 90 years old she was still balancing her on bank book, now that's awesome.

HisJewel


Niacinamide
Posted by Learner (EarthSchool) on 03/26/2023

Valerian root may benefit you. When I take it, it's like the day feels fresh and brand new. Bananas, fresh parsley, and hot peppers are similar.

Best wishes 💖


Niacinamide
Posted by HisJewel (New York) on 04/20/2023
★★★★★

Greetings Jackie,

I take one 120mg capsule, once a day usually with breakfast. My mother used Nature's Bounty. I use whatever the sale is.

A little tip if you have anemia see if your doctor can help you to fix that. My memory was at it worst when my blood was low.

I could not find studies that give supplement amounts, so I just chose these two Pubmed studies for those interested:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/13678141/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26268332/


Niacinamide
Posted by Orh (Ten Mile Tn) on 10/07/2020

Ole PATOOTS, ORH here, I forgot to mention that both my ole boss and I contacted the U of Calif, Ervine, in '08 because they were excited about the mice findings, and they were anxious to get started on the human trials. When that did not happen, we contacted them again and they said there would be no human trials. Then 9 years later, they say they ran a trial. Read the trial, it is High School stuff for certain. Most know how I ams. The term the puts me in the top of a tall pine tree is...... "It was not double blind tested." Hey, nothing on EC is double blind tested, so why bother reading? Yet, we all have benefited from reading this site. Trouble times are coming....... so fill up your stores. Fall garden is up with kale, carrots, radish, mustard greens, collards, beets and onions. Apples are breaking the limbs down. All my friends knew that I predicted what we are now going through. Not Nostradamus, but a REDNECK that has been half way 'round the watermelon.

=== ORH===


Niacinamide
Posted by Art (California ) on 05/15/2018 2326 posts

In reply to Sekhem (Fl),

Although niacinamide was excellent in the mouse studies, it was not effective in the human studies. Here is a link to the full human study.

https://www.clinmedjournals.org/articles/jgmg/journal-of-geriatric-medicine-and-gerontology-jgmg-3-021.pdf

On the other hand, certain fairly common probiotics were helpful in another human study for AD as mentioned here:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161110162840.htm

This study is very interesting because it is a human study and positive results were seen in the relatively short 12 week study, which is pretty unheard of when it comes to AD!

Art


Niacinamide
Posted by HisJewel (New York) on 12/22/2023
★★★★★

Hi Laura,

Yes, these supplements still work for me. One, 120mg dosage of Gingko Biloba once a day, after breakfast is still enough for me. It works great for my memory and alertness. Some people say that Gingko gives them a headache, so this lower dosage may work for them too.

Re: Niacinamide, I now only take two a day instead of three 500mg of Niacinamide, I take 2 capsules to equal 1000mgs after dinner because for some reason it also helps to lower my blood pressure a few points. That's an added blessing for me.

Let's stay Alert and Sharp,

HisJewel


Niacinamide
Posted by Bhart M. (Ontario) on 05/26/2017

Wow, what a terrible misunderstanding! this is a complete awful nonsense: nicotinic acid has absolutely nothing to do with nicotine from tobacco smoke. In fact, smoking, reduces the absorption of this important b vitamin.


Niacinamide
Posted by HisJewel (New York) on 03/25/2023

Yes, I meant to say Niacinamide. I tried Niacinamide at least a year before I started the Ginkgo Biloba.

The Niacinamide did help. It moved that blocked feeling in my thinking, However: the Ginkgo Biloba restored some things I had forgotten: names, old songs, dates etc. rather quickly.


Niacinamide
Posted by Tony (Tn, Usa) on 01/31/2014

Hello Francoise from Quebec, Canada:

Solaray makes a niacin supplement without magnesium stearate. PureBulk makes a powder form of niacin without any type of additives whatsover. Vitaspace is another powder without any additives as well.

I think the controversy about magnesium stearate is a little exaggerated but I still try to avoid it if possible. Here is a link to compare niacin supplements and their ingredients: http://www.toxinless.com/niacinamide

God Bless and hope you can find a niacin supplement to fit your needs.


Niacinamide
Posted by Sekhem (Fl) on 05/09/2018

Earth Clinic, is it possible that you could please try and reach KH for an update somehow please....this is unprecedented stuff here.

EC: Hi Sekhem, we reached out a few years ago and never got a reply, unfortunately. We'll try again.


Niacinamide
Posted by Orh (Ten Mile, Tn) on 10/06/2020

JO,

ORH here, go into EC archives and you see that Niacinamide works at 3500 mg per day. The human trial at U of Calif that Art keeps referring to was a joke. Read and you will see it only had a few people for 6 months. It was a cover up by Big Pharma. You can buy a month of Niacinamide for about $5. No cruise on that chump change. My ole Wi boss only took 1500 mg/day and was sharp as a tack when he died last month at age 95 from kidney failure. He took it for 12 years. The human tests was delayed many years after the mice test and was a farce. The procedure Art promotes my be the best in the west, but don't bad mouth Nicianamide based on the Irvin farce. Delaying the human test for nine years tells you something.

====ORH====


Niacinamide
Posted by Jackie (El Paso, TX) on 01/16/2024 24 posts

Just wanted to send a big thank you to " His Jewel" for responding to my question about ginkgo biloba. Especially because it was a question about an old post ( I guess though it was about ginkgo biloba it is being classified under Niacinamide ). ❣️


Niacinamide
Posted by Zark (Emerald City) on 05/19/2016

Here is a relevant abstract on this matter:

Nicotinamide Restores Cognition in Alzheimer's Disease Transgenic Mice via a Mechanism Involving Sirtuin Inhibition and Selective Reduction of Thr231-Phosphotau

http://www.jneurosci.org/content/28/45/11500.abstract

Memory loss is the signature feature of Alzheimer's disease, and therapies that prevent or delay its onset are urgently needed. Effective preventive strategies likely offer the greatest and most widespread benefits. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors increase histone acetylation and enhance memory and synaptic plasticity. We evaluated the efficacy of nicotinamide, a competitive inhibitor of the sirtuins or class III NAD+-dependent HDACs in 3xTg-AD mice, and found that it restored cognitive deficits associated with pathology. Nicotinamide selectively reduces a specific phospho-species of tau (Thr231) that is associated with microtubule depolymerization, in a manner similar to inhibition of SirT1. Nicotinamide also dramatically increased acetylated a-tubulin, a primary substrate of SirT2, and MAP2c, both of which are linked to increased microtubule stability. Reduced phosphoThr231-tau was related to a reduction of monoubiquitin-conjugated tau, suggesting that this posttranslationally modified form of tau may be rapidly degraded. Overexpression of a Thr231-phospho-mimic tau in vitro increased clearance and decreased accumulation of tau compared with wild-type tau. These preclinical findings suggest that oral nicotinamide may represent a safe treatment for AD and other tauopathies, and that phosphorylation of tau at Thr231 may regulate tau stability.


Niacinamide
Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 05/19/2016

Thank you Zark;

Zark cites an article; actually an abstract from the Journal of Neuroscience. For the ones who, like me, had to wade through the technicals, essentially it said that the non-flushing form of niacin/B-3, is really helpful in reducing the amount of "forgetfulness" associated with Alzheimer's. And interestingly the very next post discussed the same benefit in psychological issues referring the reader to a Doctor Mercola interview. From my perspective, I take the flushing form almost daily to ward off migraine attacks.


Niacinamide
Posted by Tom (Regina, Sk) on 03/12/2011
★★★★★

Supposedly, according to very recent research at UC Irvine on mice, daily high doses of plain old niacinamide form of Vitamin B3 (NOT the niacin form, which gives the "hot flush"), in amounts equivalent to 2000-3000 mg/day per adult human divided into 4 doses, totally reverses Alzheimers within about 4 months!

The B Vitamins are all water soluble, so like Vitamin C to get maximum flooding of body tissues they need to be taken in doses spread out throughout the day.

Any Search with about 4 of the keywords will return dozens of results. This one is late 2009:

http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/will-remarkably-inexpensive-nutrient-cure-alzheimers-disease-1433911.html

How does niacinamide work?

Neurons are constructed with microtubules. These are scaffolding within the cells that conduct information. When the microtubules break down, the cells can die.

The tubules are like highways inside cells. Dr. Green said that niacinamide is "making a wider more stable highway. " Alzheimer's disease breaks down the highway (tubules). But niacinamide prevents this from happening.

I've previously told you how the toxic metal mercury also destroys these microtubules, potentially causing Alzheimer's disease. So anything that can prevent the damage or reverse it is a huge discovery.

Note that the mice were bred with a genetic defect to produce the amyloid plaques, so it seems the niacinamide just completely overrides that. IOW, it did not eliminate the plaques!

The articles in the Search give slight variants of the dosage. Another article says " 500mg 4 to 6 times/day".

If you have dementia of any kind, consider niacinamide, 1,500 mg twice daily.

Niacinamide
Posted by Rose (Texas) on 07/29/2018

Many pharmacists are able to answer questions about drug / supplement interactions. In fact, they're more likely to have the answer than doctors are. Find a pharmacist you like, then ask!


Niacinamide
Posted by Francoise (Quebec, Canada) on 01/31/2014

Hi KH,

I am curious about the niacinamide supplement used for your Mother in curing her Alzheimer condition. All the ones I have looked at contain magnesium stearate which I understand blocks the absorption of the vitamin. One contained hypromellose, and though I have looked at various sites regarding the safety of this ingredient, I would really appreciate Earth Clinic's take on whether it is safe or not. Can you please tell us what brand was used for your Mom? Many thanks, Francoise


Niacinamide
Posted by Maddie H. (Idaho) on 10/02/2016

I was concerned when I read that removing amyloid plaque might make matters worse, so I looked up ultrasound for dementia which has been used successfully to improve the memories of mice in experiments conducted in Australia. I was relieved to read that the ultrasound removed plaque from the mice's brains, and instead of getting worse they improved. If nattokinase can cross the blood/brain barrier, seems it would be a much simpler way to improve an Alzheimer patient's memory.

http://stm.sciencemag.org/content/7/278/278ra33


Niacinamide
Posted by Diver Dan (Idaho) on 10/09/2020

I agree. There is almost no correlation between mouse/rat studies or doses and humans. very different physiology. I don't know why we even do so much live testing anymore as we have adequate simulations available. Maybe it's to keep people employed while performing cruel and unnesccesary experiments.


Niacinamide
Posted by Marco (Italy - Bologna) on 07/07/2017

Thank you for sharing your valuable experience.

I have one question though, do you think a dose superior to 1500mg is necessary to obtain these results?.

Yesterday I have checked the latest news on Niacinamide, as I really heard lots of people getting result from this, and the following recent study popped out:

https://www.clinmedjournals.org/articles/jgmg/journal-of-geriatric-medicine-and-gerontology-jgmg-3-021.pdf

The result of this study using 1500mg of time release was not good, I'm really trying to understand what is the difference and which factor I'm not considering...

Help! :-)

M.


Niacinamide
Posted by Jackie (El paso) on 10/28/2023 24 posts

Thanks for your reply Jewel . Much appreciated.


Niacinamide
Posted by HisJewel (New York) on 01/17/2024

Greetings Jackie,

it was my joy.

HisJewel


Niacinamide
Posted by Lynda (Europe) on 05/02/2015

Hi, I have read Joyce, and Kh testimony in curing their parents Alzheimer , and it gave me hope. I would like to ask them today , after one year or so how are their parents? are they still well? are their conditions , stable?

If you could answer my question or anyone who has tried the niacinamide, vitamin A , coconut oil and turmeric to share their experience please.

Thank you,

Lynda


Niacinamide
Posted by Trudy (South) on 06/21/2017

As to taking the niacin, get a bulk powder of pure niacin. Measure it out so you get an ultra-small dose, say 10 mg or so. Get her used to that and then move it up as she tolerates it. I started at 25 mg once per day, then went 25 twice per day and them moved incrementally until now I take 1000 mg twice per day and don't really notice the flush. I just put it in food when it was a small dose, but now I put it in capsules for convenience.


Niacinamide
Posted by Anne (Us) on 06/14/2017

While smoking increases risk of Alzheimer's disease, the nicotine patch, pure nicotine is slowing the progression of Alzheimer's. Lots of articles about it online. There is something to this.


Niacinamide
Posted by Nelda (South Carolina) on 03/21/2023

I have the powder form of 500 Niacinamide...I don't do mg...lol...can someone tell me in teaspoons please?


Niacinamide
Posted by Jackie (Gilmer, Texas ) on 04/19/2023 1 posts

Can you please tell me how many mg of the gingko bilboa you take and how many times a day. Thank you


Niacinamide
Posted by Jean (Deutschland) on 04/23/2023

You need a special minimeasuring spoon. One can buy a set of 1/64, 1/32,1/16,1/8 and 1/4 Teaspoon.


Niacinamide
Posted by Sekhem (Florida) on 02/24/2018

Reading this almost made me cry, hearing the death sentence from doctors is so disheartening. seeing this, and hearing something so Vile from doctors make you think the world is completely mad.

How is your mother doing in 2018 if you dont mind telling us? also Did she remember anything from when she actually had the pathology of alzheimers? was she in there experiencing everything but not able to control it? or is she completely unaware of the things that were going on?


Niacinamide
Posted by Art (California) on 10/05/2020 2326 posts

Jo,

The niacinamide studies were done at University of California at Irvine. The initial mouse study showed excellent results with the mice. The follow on human study showed little, if any, effect and further studies were not done. Here are the links to both studies :

Mouse study done in 2008:

https://news.uci.edu/2008/11/05/vitamin-b3-reduces-alzheimers-symptoms-lesions/

Human study done in 2017 :

https://www.clinmedjournals.org/articles/jgmg/journal-of-geriatric-medicine-and-gerontology-jgmg-3-021.pdf

Niacinamide/nicotinamide are relatively safe. If you end up trying it and it doesn't work out for you, you can consider a combination of supplements that a 78 year old friend of mine used successfully to reverse her memory lapses and senior moments. I just posted an update to that post. Here is a link to it :

https://www.earthclinic.com/art-solbrig-protocol-for-memory-loss.html

Good luck!

Art


Niacinamide
Posted by Laura (Honolulu) on 12/20/2023

How much Gingko with the Niacinamide do you suggest? How many times a day? Thanks!


Niacinamide
Posted by Prioris (Fl) on 01/20/2014

It has been said that one should take B vitamins with food and other B vitamins because it is synergistic. Then you read about therapies taking it on an empty stomach especially in larger doses.


Niacinamide
Posted by Shawna (Torrance, California) on 12/01/2013

KH, that is wonderful!! WOW!!! Thank you so much for sharing. I am going to share this with everyone I know, including my parents!


Niacinamide
Posted by Mg (Phoenix, Az) on 03/22/2016

My father has dementia and is on Namenda XR and Donetezil HCL currently, but it is no longer working. I wanted to know if your mother was taking any medication when she started taking the niacinamide and if there is any danger in mixing his current meds and niaminacide?


Niacinamide
Posted by Mercy (Texas) on 11/27/2016

Hi KH. I was wondering if you could give us an update on your Mother's condition? Thanks.


Niacinamide
Posted by Suzy (Indiana) on 06/20/2017

Dave, I believe my mother would benefit from taking niacin. I take it daily and know it works. The problem I see is flushing. I don't think I could get her to take the niacin a second time. I read so much about how it has to be the flushing kind. Is that true? I don't understand the difference. Can you set me straight on this. Thank you for all you do for us on Earth Clinic.


Niacinamide
Posted by Sekhem (Fl) on 03/01/2018

Could you explain how she was erratic emotionally? and at what point during this treatment did she overcome the erratic emotional behavior, it hasn't been a week yet with my mother, But I have her on the same treatment, and her behavior....Seemingly a paranoid schizophrenic type behavior at times is very taxing, if you could just give me a timeline to when she'll be over that, It would be so appreciated.


Niacinamide
Posted by Jo (Loveland, Colorado ) on 10/05/2020

Niacinamide:

My mother had Alzheimer's and I have some difficulty remembering things, especially names. What dose should I start taking for this? And any side effects with this over the counter medication?


Niacinamide
Posted by Gavin (Manganui, Northland, New Zealand) on 04/30/2011

Of course nicotine gets converted into b3.. Nicotinic acid.. Thats why the docs suggest if you got diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease you should start smoking.. So b3 seems to be the key with the latest resesarch. I rememberd that poor whites that smoked in the southern states didnt suffer from a certain vitamin B deficiency hence nicotinic acid gets converted into b vitamins.. (correct me if im wrong).