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GET A GRIP WITH NIACINAMIDE
The therapeutic effects of niacinamide were first studied in the mid-to-late 1930s by Dr. William Kaufman. Research at the time
revealed that niacinamide was necessary for the formation of two coenzymes. These coenzymes are crucial to over 200 metabolic
processes in the human body, including energy production.
As he continued his research, Dr. Kaufman discovered that inadequate amounts of niacinamide in the diet could be directly responsible
for a long list of physical and mental problems—ones that were simply considered a “normal” part of the aging process. His
list included such varied conditions as nervous system impairment (resulting in depression, anxiety, and personality changes), over-
reaction to noise, abnormal skin sensations, changes in mucous membranes, excessive callus formation, and yellowish or brown
pigmentation of the skin.
The therapeutic benefits of niacinamide for joint pain are now well known. Taking 1,500 mg daily in 250 mg doses spaced throughout
the day can provide relief for even the most extreme examples of the problems I listed. (Taking the 1,500 mg all at once won’t give you the
same results, however. You need to keep taking it throughout the day to keep the level in your blood fairly stable.) Here are a couple of
other ways you can take advantage of niacinamide’s benefits.
Fatigue, Muscle Strength, and Working Capacity
To quickly and accurately measure the effect niacinamide had on fatigue, muscle strength, and working capacity, Dr. Kaufman
monitored each patient’s hand strength with a gripmeter and one of those small handheld counting devices. He found that positive results
attained in the small muscles in the hand were consistent with positive changes throughout the body. Specifically, Dr. Kaufman found that
roughly 70 percent of patients who took 100 to 300 mg of niacinamide demonstrated a greater working capacity and less fatigue after only
30 minutes. Muscle strength also improved after 30 minutes in about 30 percent of the patients.
Keep in mind that Dr. Kaufman made these initial findings by monitoring each patient in his office for an hour or longer after they took
their very first dose of niacinamide. More pronounced improvement was observed as the patients continued on the therapy over a period
of several months.
Loss of Balance
There are three methods Dr. Kaufman used to check for a loss of balance. (If you test yourself using any one of these methods, have
someone nearby who can keep you from falling.) In general, the more tests you can pass, the greater your sense of balance.
1) Stand on one foot for at least 15 seconds.
2) Next, stand on the same foot with your eyes closed for a minimum of 15 seconds.
3) Finally, while standing on the right foot, raise your left foot up and place your left heel one inch in front of your right knee.
Keep your hands at your sides the entire time. If you can stand in that position with your eyes open for at least 15 seconds,
then repeat the test with your eyes closed.
Each of these tests should be done twice, once balancing on the right foot and once on the left. In part, being able to balance yourself
properly involves certain nerve fibers running up and down the spinal column that tell the brain the location and angle of each joint in your
body. A deficiency of niacinamide has been shown to interfere with these pathways and affect your ability to stay balanced. Taking
niacinamide can have a very positive effect on balance, and most people see gradual improvements over a period of several months. If you
want to see if there’s any immediate improvement, simply repeat the balance test 30 minutes after taking a dose of niacinamide. Even if
you don’t see a difference right away, it’s well worth sticking with it since it may take up to three months of constant therapy to achieve
noticeable progress.
A Word About “Time-Released” Supplements
To make it easier to take high doses of niacinamide, a few companies have come out with time-released niacinamide products. The
problem with these time-released products is that they can possibly cause liver problems, so you would need to get periodic tests to
monitor liver function. I don’t recommend taking these products. Taking straight niacinamide in smaller doses throughout the day has
never caused any liver problems or other side effects. Apparently, the carefully balanced blood levels allow both the liver and the kidneys
to deal with the higher levels of niacinamide.
Tip from Vol. 7 – Dr. Williams newsletter - Alternatives - November 1997
The Test of Time: The Niceties of Niacinamide
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