While Alzheimer’s disease cannot be cured, it can be prevented through proper nutrition. An article in Natural Health 365 states that one of the natural ways to avoid this and other forms of dementia is to increase your intake of nicotinamide riboside.
This is a formulation of vitamin B3, which helps produce and regulate energy levels in cells. Vitamin B3 also helps burn carbohydrates and fats.
The human body converts nicotinamide riboside into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). The latter form ensures the good health of mitochondria that power cells, promote the repair of damaged cellular DNA, and keeps brain cells from dying.
On top of that, NAD+ also activates sirtuins, special proteins that fight the aging process. It and its precursor nicotinamide riboside have therefore been linked to longer, healthier lifespans.
As we grow older, the amounts of NAD+ in our bodies begin to deplete. The brain becomes less capable of repairing damage to cellular DNA. It also becomes much more vulnerable to dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease. (Related: Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia are two entirely different things.)
Study shows nicotinamide riboside reverses effects of Alzheimer’s disease in mice
A joint study by researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (JHU-SM) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) investigated the effect of nicotinamide riboside on Alzheimer’s disease. They used an animal model with mice that possessed high levels of pTau. The toxic protein is linked to Alzheimer’s disease. pTau causes brain cell death hampers the synaptic connections between nerve cells and weakens cognition. Mice with high levels of pTau protein suffered the same problems as humans with Alzheimer’s disease: Poor memory, inability to learn, problems with movement, and deteriorating grip strength.
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These “Alzheimer’s” mice received nicotinamide riboside supplements for three months. The supplement raised the amount of NAD+ in their brains by a significant margin.
The JHU-SM-NIA researchers reported that the supplemented mice quickly recovered their physical and cognitive abilities. In addition to doing better at learning and memory tests, they also grew less anxious, which is a common problem in humans suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
NAD+ is superior to current anti-dementia pharmaceutical drugs because it has multiple ways of protecting the brain. As mentioned earlier, it protects brain cell DNA and repairs damage, as well as activating the SIRT-1 and SIRT-3 anti-aging proteins.
It also encourages the creation of new brain cells, maintains the mitochondria in those cells, and reduces brain inflammation that is linked to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. By improving the overall health of the brain, NAD+ – and by extension, nicotinamide riboside –
Vitamin B3 formulation protects the brain and boosts
A separate study reported that nicotinamide riboside also protected against excitotoxicity, a state when excessive stimulation of neurons in the brain starts damaging or killing the affected nerve cells. Excitotoxicity is one of the precursors for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
The second study suggested that increasing NAD+ levels in neurons can serve as an effective therapy for the disease. The best way to raise those levels is to take more nicotinamide riboside.
Other benefits of taking the nutrient include an increase in energy, better stamina, and improved performance in physical activity.
Nicotinamide riboside is available as an over-the-counter supplement. The recommended daily dose ranges from 125 milligrams to 500 milligrams.
There are no known major side effects from taking the supplement. Unlike other forms of vitamin B3, nicotinamide riboside does not cause “flushing” in women.
Admittedly, there are precious few human trials involving nicotinamide riboside. Before stocking up on the supplement, get the advice of an integrative health provider.
Read more articles on nicotinamide riboside and other healthy supplements at SupplementsReport.
Sources include:
NaturalHealth365
LifeExtension
