Niacin News and Research

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Niacin (also known as vitamin B3, nicotinic acid and vitamin PP) is an organic compound with the formula C5H4NCO2H and, depending on the definition used, one of the between forty to eighty essential human nutrients.

UCSF researchers urge more convincing placebos in psychedelic trials

UC San Francisco researchers are weighing in on one of the biggest challenges in psychedelic science, arguing that clinical trials need more convincing placebo treatments to better measure the drugs' true effects.

16 Sep 2026

Early vitamin B3 treatment may benefit children with rare genetic condition

Children with a rare and often fatal genetic condition may benefit from early treatment with vitamin B3, halting their significant deterioration, according to a new study.

28 Jul 2026

Dutch study shows why plant-based eating can miss key nutrients

A Dutch dietary modeling study found that replacing major animal-based protein sources with plant-based substitutes reduced protein, EAA, vitamin, and mineral intake across age groups. Older adults, adolescents, children, and women were especially vulnerable to shortfalls, highlighting the need for planned substitutions, fortified foods, and age-specific dietary guidance.

3 Jul 2026

Expert review examines widely-held beliefs about dietary protein needs and benefits

A newly published peer-reviewed paper in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition synthesizes findings from a February 2025 scientific workshop.

8 Jun 2026

Psilocybin offers fast-acting alternative to traditional antidepressants

A single dose of the psychedelic substance psilocybin can provide rapid relief from depressive symptoms – within just a few days. This is shown by the first randomised, double-blind study in Sweden of psilocybin for depression. The effect persisted for over three months, according to researchers at Karolinska Institutet.

15 May 2026

Gut microbiome-produced nicotinic acid protects colon tissue from injury

The gut microbiome-the trillions of bacteria and other microbes that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract-drives a process vital for protecting the colon against tissue injury, according to the findings of a study co-led by Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University investigators.

10 Mar 2026

Can aquaculture reduce global malnutrition or is nutrient trade widening inequality?

Global aquaculture produces substantial essential nutrients, but international trade patterns often shift these nutrients away from nutritionally vulnerable countries. Modelling suggests alternative trade and fishmeal use strategies could improve micronutrient equity while highlighting important food system trade-offs.

11 Feb 2026

Niacin shows promise in improving treatment for glioblastoma patients

Edward (Ed) Waldner had no idea why he didn't feel well but he knew he didn't feel like himself. At 55-years of age he felt exhausted all the time.

10 Feb 2026

Study reveals how ketogenic diet protects against epilepsy seizures

University of Virginia School of Medicine researchers have revealed how the popular, low-carb ketogenic diet protects against epilepsy seizures and possibly neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

16 Jan 2026

Why potatoes and grains can’t replace each other in a healthy diet

White potatoes are nutrient-rich, offering potassium and vitamins. Replacing grains with them may reduce essential nutrients like iron and folate.

1 Dec 2025

Research reveals new insights into the biology of recurrent miscarriage

Researchers at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, University of Sydney, and the Royal Hospital for Women have uncovered important new insights into the biology of recurrent miscarriage - a devastating condition that affects up to one in fifty couples trying to conceive.

19 Nov 2025

Systematic analysis reveals psilocybin's impact on obsessive-compulsive behaviors

A systematic review published today in Psychedelics by Mr. James Gattuso and colleagues at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health synthesizes clinical and preclinical evidence on psilocybin's effects on obsessive-compulsive behaviors, revealing consistent therapeutic potential across human patients and validated animal models.

29 Oct 2025

Scientists test whether chaya leaves can lower blood sugar in diabetes

Researchers reviewed current evidence on the chaya plant (Cnidoscolus chayamansa), highlighting its nutritional profile, hypoglycemic activity in animal models, and potential as a complementary aid for diabetes management. While promising, safety, dosage, and interaction studies remain essential before clinical use.

29 Sep 2025

Clinical trial disproves claims that antioxidant supplement boosts male fertility

A large Dutch randomized clinical trial (SUMMER) found that a widely marketed antioxidant supplement (Impryl) did not improve ongoing pregnancy rates in men seeking fertility care. Instead, pregnancy success was significantly lower in the critical 4–6 month treatment window, raising safety concerns.

28 Sep 2025

Mushrooms deliver nutrition medicine and sustainability solutions in one package

This Food Science & Nutrition review highlights mushrooms as nutrient-rich functional foods packed with bioactive compounds that support human health. It explores their therapeutic, industrial, and environmental applications, from disease prevention and drug discovery to bioremediation and bioenergy.

8 Sep 2025

Triglycerides identified as direct cause of abdominal aortic aneurysms

High levels of triglycerides, the most common type of fat in the body and the foods we eat, directly cause abdominal aortic aneurysms, according to a study in mouse models led by Michigan Medicine.

14 Aug 2025

Understanding the importance of B vitamins for health

Eight different vitamins make up the B complex, and they all play crucial roles in the body, such as producing energy, keeping our nervous system healthy, and supporting cell development.

4 Aug 2025

New research unveils vast influence of B vitamins on health and disease

Eight essential nutrients make up the suite of B vitamins also known as the B complex. Researchers from Tufts University and elsewhere have revealed that these B vitamins influence a vast spectrum of human health and disease, including cognitive function, cardiovascular health, gastric bypass recovery, neural tube defects, and even cancer.

4 Aug 2025

Fad diets and supplements fuel new wave of hidden skin problems, study finds

A new review explains how fad diets and unregulated supplements promoted online can cause serious skin, hair, and nail problems, often before other symptoms appear. Clinicians are urged to recognize these risks and address health misinformation in the digital age.

22 Jul 2025

GLP-1 weight loss drugs leave users low on key nutrients, study finds

This study assessed nutrient intake in adults using GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and found widespread deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals. Despite appetite suppression and weight loss benefits, most participants exceeded fat intake recommendations and failed to meet protein and micronutrient needs.

14 May 2025