Niacinamide

 Risk Factor: A*
 Class: VITAMINS

Contents of this page:

Fetal Risk Summary
Breast Feeding Summary
References
Questions and Answers

Fetal Risk Summary

Niacinamide, a water-soluble B complex vitamin, is an essential nutrient required for lipid metabolism, tissue respiration, and glycogenolysis (1). Both niacin, which is converted to niacinamide in vivo, and niacinamide are available commercially and are collectively known as vitamin B3. The National Academy of Sciences' recommended dietary allowance for niacin in pregnancy is 17 mg (1).

Only two reports have been located that link niacinamide with maternal or fetal complications. A 1948 study observed an association between niacinamide deficiency and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) (2). Other B complex vitamins have also been associated with this disease, but any relationship between vitamins and PIH is controversial (see other B complex vitamins). One patient with hyperemesis gravidarum presented with neuritis, reddened tongue, and psychosis (3). She was treated with 100 mg of niacin plus other B complex vitamins, resulting in the rapid disappearance of her symptoms. The authors attributed her response to the niacin.

Niacinamide is actively transported to the fetus (4,5). Higher concentrations are found in the fetus and newborn, rather than in the mother (5,6,7 and 8). Deficiency of niacinamide in pregnancy is uncommon except in women with poor nutrition (6,7). At term, mean niacinamide values in 174 mothers were 3.9 g/mL (range 2.07.2 g/mL) and in their newborns 5.8 g/mL (range 3.010.5 g/mL) (6). Conversion of the amino acid tryptophan to niacin and then to niacinamide is enhanced in pregnancy (9).

[*Risk Factor C if used in doses above the RDA.]

Breast Feeding Summary

Niacin, the precursor to niacinamide, is actively excreted in human breast milk (10). Reports on the excretion of niacinamide in milk have not been located, but it is probable that it also is actively transferred. In a study of lactating women with low nutritional status, supplementation with niacin in doses of 2.060.0 mg/day resulted in mean milk concentrations of 1.172.75 g/mL (10). Milk concentrations were directly proportional to dietary intake. A 1983 English study measured niacin levels in pooled human milk obtained from mothers of preterm (26 mothers, 2934 weeks) and term (35 mothers, 39 weeks or longer) infants (11). Niacin in milk from preterm mothers rose from 0.65 g/mL (colostrum) to 2.05 g/mL (16196 days), whereas that in milk from term mothers increased during the same period from 0.50 to 1.82 g/mL.

The National Academy of Sciences' recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for niacin during lactation is 20 mg (1). If the diet of the lactating woman adequately supplies this amount, supplementation with niacinamide is not needed. Maternal supplementation with the RDA for niacinamide is recommended for those patients with inadequate nutritional intake.

References

1. American Hospital Formulary Service. Drug Information 1997. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 1997:281113.
2. Hobson W. A dietary and clinical survey of pregnant women with particular Reference to toxaemia of pregnancy. J Hyg 1948;46:198216.
3. Hart BF, McConnell WT. Vitamin B factors in toxic psychosis of pregnancy and the puerperium. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1943;46:283.
4. Hill EP, Longo LD. Dynamics of maternal-fetal nutrient transfer. Fed Proc 1980;39:23944.
5. Kaminetzky HA, Baker H, Frank O, Langer A. The effects of intravenously administered water-soluble vitamins during labor in normovitaminemic and hypovitaminemic gravidas on maternal and neonatal blood vitamin levels at delivery. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1974;120:697703.
6. Baker H, Frank O, Thomson AD, Langer A, Munves ED, De Angelis B, Kaminetzky HA. Vitamin profile of 174 mothers and newborns at parturition. Am J Clin Nutr 1975;28:5965.
7. Baker H, Frank O, Deangelis B, Feingold S, Kaminetzky HA. Role of placenta in maternal-fetal vitamin transfer in humans. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1981;141:7926.
8. Baker H, Thind IS, Frank O, DeAngelis B, Caterini H, Lquria DB. Vitamin levels in low-birth-weight newborn infants and their mothers. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1977;129:5214.
9. Wertz AW, Lojkin ME, Bouchard BS, Derby MB. Tryptophan-niacin relationships in pregnancy. Am J Nutr 1958;64:33953.
10. Deodhar AD, Rajalakshmi R, Ramakrishnan CV. Studies on human lactation. Part III. Effect of dietary vitamin supplementation on vitamin contents of breast milk. Acta Paediatr Scand 1964;53:428.
11. Ford JE, Zechalko A, Murphy J, Brooke OG. Comparison of the B vitamin composition of milk from mothers of preterm and term babies. Arch Dis Child 1983;58:36772.
    
    

Questions and Answers

What is the difference between niacinamide and nicotinic acid?, How are they different? Is one safer than the other?

They are both B3 vitamin but one is modified slightly.

Niacinamide is Niacin (nicotinic acid) but the carboxyl group in Niacin has been replaced by a carboxamide group (CONH2) to form Niacinamide.

Basically Niacin was causing some side effects, so they were able to replace the carboxyl that caused the side effects with something that won't.

Both have the same functions as a vitamin but niacinamide is less toxic.

When looking for the vitamin in stores, they both will probably been names Niacin but if it says "no flushing" that means it is probably Niacinamide.

What is Niacinamide, will it give me energy?, I was told that Niacinamide gives energy?

Whoa! Hold on there. Niacin is a vitamin but be careful in taking it in large quantities. It will only give you energy if you currently have a deficiency. A side effect of taking too much niacin is that it can make you feel really flushed, almost like you are burning up, and your skin turns red in patches -- this effect last about a half hour until your body dilutes it in the blood stream.

Will Niacin or Niacinamide help with peripheral neuropathy ?, I am talking about peripheral neuropathy which is NOT caused by diabetes.

It won't help. It doesn't matter what the cause of the neuropathy, the solution is the same. It is damaged nerve cells.

The body needs B1 and B12. In neuropathy, the lining of the nerve, called the mylein sheath is damaged and needs to be repaired. The body needs these nutrients to fix it otherwise the nerve short-circuits.

You can read more about this at www.realfoodnutrients/neu/causes.htm It explains what is needed

Niacinamide for panic attacks?, I heard that Niacinamide is a good home remedy for panic attacks. Has anyone tried this?

And what exactly is Niacinamide anyways?


~Any other home remedies for panic attacks would be greatly appreciated!

Hi there.
I wiki-ed it. It's vitamin B3.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niacinamide
I've had what I was "told" was anxiety attacks for YEARS. It was diagnosed as a series of other problems awhile back. Most of the research I did myself. I finally found someone to work with me and have been feeling great for the last 13 years!
TMJ
Hiatus hernia
and allergies.
All very easy to deal with. Please dig a little deeper and pay attention to what your body is telling you.
Where do you "feel bad or anxious"

TMJ, the clenching can tighten your neck tendons so much that your hands actually go numb.
Hiatus hernia effects your breathing as well as allergies. If you can't breathe fully there is not enough oxygen getting to your brain causing a whole bunch of problems such as numbness, anxiety, dizziness...
If you are okay with your diagnosis of anxiety attacks please disregard my suggestions.
I just didn't like the idea of being medicated.
I hope you find help!
Blessings

I would like to know what is the difference between Niacin and Niacinamide?,

'amide'.....actually, its likely that tey are the same thing.........

has anyone tried topical niacinamide for acne?, It is also called vitamin B3. i heard that it works great, but can not find it around here. has anyone tried it?

Don't know but check this
1) Cook oatmeal and apply on face for fifteen minutes and wash.
2) Make a warm bath with blanch of nettle and rosemary.
3) Apply equal amount of lemon juice and rose water with a cotton ball and wash it after haif an hour for 15 to 20 days.
For dozens of more ways, prevention, types and reasons check
http://www.beauticianworld.com/acneremed...

is niacinamide(vitamin b3) good for treating yeast infections?, i have a yeast inection and i was wondering if niacinamide would help treat it.i know it comes from yeast

Tea tree oil (Melaleucca) inserted vaginally on a tampon and drunk in water 3-4 drops per 8oz, grapefruit seed extract, nystatin are going to be a heck of a lot more effective than either niacin or niacinamide. In fact, I am unclear that a B Vitamin is going to have much of an effect at all, especially since most B Vitamins are yeast grown. Changing your diet to eliminate what the yeast grows on, namely sugars, may not even be completely effective, altho' it IS essential. Do some more research on how to kill Candida yeasts and how to rebalance your body. Understand also that it is not unusual to get extreme cravings and extreme side effects when there is massive yeast die off in your body. The Atkins diet can be extremely helpful w/ cases of candida overgrowth, however, many women experience hot flashes and constipation amongst other untoward side-effects with long term use of Atkins. It is more a place to visit for awhile, but not to stay. Candida overgrowth really does require some massive lifestyle changes to treat it successfully.

what is niacinamide?, i had an energy drink with niacinamide in it and my friend told me not to drink it because niacinamide is just a fancy name for bull semin. is this true? he said it is put in there for it's testosterone which has energy. i got a diff drink and it also has that in it... should i not drink it? or is my friend just trying to creep me out?

It is also known as niacin or vitamin B-3. Your friend is full of bull.

What is the best way to get rid of moderate acne?, I have tried everything - Proactive, benzol perozide, sacylic acid, drinking water, antibiotics, zinc, vitamin A, niacinamide gel, home remedies (egg whites, nutmeg, tumeric, etc.). Nothing works.

What else can I do?

Find some good home solutions for acne

Where can I buy Niacinamide at? The topical kind.?,

You can find Vitamin B Complex pills at most groceries in the vitamins section. You can probably find niacin in the same section, it might be labeled as Vitamin B3. There are many B Vitamins. When I bought a bottle of Niacin, I got it from GNC... I later bought a bottle of Vitamin B Complex pills at a Wal-Mart, but neglected to check for Niacin alone.