What is Niacinamide?

If you or someone you care about is living with diabetes, you should learn all you can about niacinamide.  Also called nicotinamide, it’s a form of vitamin B3 that has been shown to preserve beta cell function when administered in the early stages of type 1 diabetes. It does this by inhibiting free radical production and the activity of PARP, an enzyme that depletes cellular energy stores.

A meta-analysis of 10 controlled clinical trials demonstrated significant improvements in insulin production in type 1 diabetics who received niacinamide for up to five years, compared to those on placebo. Although some studies have been negative—the European Nicotinamide Diabetes Intervention Trial (ENDIT) showed no benefits—I believe that enough positive research exists to warrant a trial of niacinamide in early onset type 1 diabetes.