Vitamin B3, in the form of niacin or nicotinamide, is critical for our overall health and wellness. While its role in energy metabolism and skin health is well-recognised, it is its potential as a treatment for glaucoma that has gotten scientists and glaucoma specialists excited.
The Two Faces of Vitamin B3: Niacin and Nicotinamide
Vitamin B3 comes in two main forms: niacin (nicotinic acid) and nicotinamide (niacinamide). While both are vital for our health, they serve distinct purposes, especially regarding eye health.
- Niacin (Nicotinic Acid): Known for its ability to lower cholesterol, niacin plays a crucial role in cardiovascular health. However, high doses can lead to side effects such as flushing, itching, and stomach discomfort. Niacin’s primary function is to convert food into energy and support overall cellular functions.
- Nicotinamide (Niacinamide): Unlike niacin, nicotinamide does not cause flushing and offers greater benefits for eye health. This form of Vitamin B3 is essential for cellular repair, DNA synthesis, and maintaining healthy skin and eyes. Importantly, nicotinamide has shown promise in protecting against glaucoma by supporting the health of retinal ganglion cells.
Nicotinamide: A Protector Against Glaucoma
Nicotinamide serves as a crucial source of NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a coenzyme vital for energy production and cellular repair. NAD+ plays an essential role in mitochondrial function, which acts as the powerhouse of our cells. As we age, NAD+ levels naturally decline, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and contributing to age-related conditions such as glaucoma.
Studies have shown that nicotinamide effectively boosts NAD+ levels in retinal ganglion cells, which are responsible for transmitting visual information from the retina to the brain. By increasing NAD+ levels and enhancing mitochondrial function, nicotinamide helps protect these cells from oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, both of which are key factors in the development and progression of glaucoma.
The mitochondria, located on the right, serve as the energy powerhouses for the retinal ganglion cells on the left, which transmit electrical signals from the retina to the brain.
Numerous studies have validated the neuroprotective properties of nicotinamide. These include its ability to buffer and prevent metabolic stress, enhance mitochondrial size and mobility, and decrease susceptibility to pressure-related stresses.
Clinical Evidence: Nicotinamide’s Efficacy
The potential of nicotinamide to prevent, retinal ganglion cell damage and blindness in glaucoma was underscored in a groundbreaking study published in Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. This research, led by the Centre for Eye Research Australia, involved 57 glaucoma patients who alternated between receiving nicotinamide and a placebo. The findings revealed significant improvements in retinal function for those who took nicotinamide for 12 weeks in addition to their standard glaucoma treatments.
Subsequent research published in JAMA Ophthalmology demonstrated that short-term use of nicotinamide led to improved visual field outcomes in glaucoma patients.
The Importance of Nicotinamide Supplementation
As we age, our NAD+ levels decline significantly. Research published in Nutrients indicates that NAD+ levels can decrease by up to 50% with age. To effectively boost NAD+ levels, taking an NAD+ precursor like nicotinamide is essential. Although consuming foods rich in Vitamin B3—such as fish, poultry, meat, and whole grains—can be beneficial, it is challenging to obtain sufficient nicotinamide through diet alone, particularly as absorption decreases with age.
Vitamin B3 rich foods
Thus, supplementation becomes the most reliable method to ensure adequate nicotinamide intake, crucial for maintaining optimal NAD+ levels and protecting retinal ganglion cells. Nicotinamide is generally safe and well-tolerated, even at high doses, with an upper limit of 3,000 mg per day.
Comparing Nicotinamide, Nicotinamide Riboside, and Nicotinamide Mononucleotide
In addition to nicotinamide, other Vitamin B3 derivatives like nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) are also popular for enhancing NAD+ levels. However, their effectiveness and bioavailability for eye health vary.
Nicotinamide: This form of Vitamin B3 is particularly effective in reaching and protecting retinal ganglion cells, which is crucial for managing glaucoma. It crosses the blood-brain barrier and is more efficient than NR and NMN in raising NAD+ levels within these cells.
Nicotinamide Riboside (NR): While NR is beneficial for overall health and shows promise in anti-aging research, it is less effective than nicotinamide when it comes to targeting retinal ganglion cells.
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN): NMN is known for its role in boosting cellular health and longevity. However, NMN can potentially cause axon degeneration in individuals with vulnerable retinal ganglion cells.
Conclusion: Proactive Eye Health with Nicotinamide
Nicotinamide, the highly bioavailable form of vitamin B3, offers an effective method to restore cellular NAD+, improve mitochondrial function, and combat glaucoma damage.
Its unique ability to boost NAD+ levels and protect retinal ganglion cells distinguishes it from other NAD+ boosting supplements like NR and NMN.
When choosing an eye health supplement, look for one containing nicotinamide to support retinal ganglion cell health and optic nerve function. Nutravision combines nicotinamide with other natural antioxidants such as bilberry, ginkgo biloba, and saffron to reduce free radical damage and promote healthy blood circulation, making it the most comprehensive glaucoma neuroprotection supplement currently available.
Invest in your eye health with Nutravision today—your eyes deserve the very best.
