Expert: Mary Gordon - 3/11/2011

Question
I received information from a Dr. David G. Williams promoting Nicotinamide/niacinamide as a cure.  Are you familiar with this product and/or Dr. Williams?  My mom has Alzheimer's and my dad's headed that way.  I am their primary 24/7 caregiver.  Thanks so much for your assistance.

Answer
Hi Teresa,

You should probably know Dr. Williams is actually a chiropractor, not an MD. He makes his living bashing conventional medicine and promoting miracle cures from various dietary supplements, some of which have some truth, but many of which are not supported by real science.

If you look at his webpage, he is big on statements like
"The secret of the astonishing new all-natural cancer cure!"
"The secret of the incredible new heart protection vitamin!"
"The secret of the remarkable ultratrace mineral that beats chronic arthritis!"
"The secret of nature's sure-fire cure for high cholesterol!"
"The secret of the remarkable 29 cent herb that helps revitalize your immune system!"
"The little known amino acid that reverses sexual impotence like magic!"

My problem with people like Dr. Williams is that he makes people think there are easy answers to complex conditions, and that there is a conspiracy to suppress cures. People dealing with difficult or terminal illnesses are desperate for hope, and I think he exploits that. He may also discourage people from seeking conventional medical care. I'm a Canadian where health care is free to taxpayers, so there is no profit motive. If there was a simple answer to progressive dementia, there is no way the information could be suppressed, since these terrible illnesses blight so many lives and hurt so many families - dementia causes anguish, massive expense, disability, stress and death, and the families of doctors and researchers are not exempt. If there was a magic cure, you know no health care professionals would ever have a loved one with a dementia - we'd all be wondering why. You wouldn't be able to hide the information.

Nicotinamide/niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3. About 80 years ago, a Dr. Kaufman studied its use in a population of people with dementia like symptoms and found improvements. However, many of these people probably did not have Alzheimer's disease, but a vitamin deficiency called pellagra.  Severe Vitamin B3 deficiency does cause skin disease, diarrhea, dementia, and depression, but with modern diets, it would be very unusual for people in North America to develop this. It is unclear whether variation in intake of niacin in the usual diet is linked to neurodegenerative decline or Alzheimer's disease (AD). Further research is needed before any conclusion can be drawn. There is an ongoing study involving genetically engineered mice at the University of California, Irvine that does seem a bit hopeful, but many times, what works in mice does not work in human beings, so you always have to approach results in animal studies with real caution. This approach has not been properly studied in human beings yet.

You certainly can give nicotinamide/niacinamide a try - you have nothing to lose - as long as you consult with your parent's doctors first to make sure taking these supplements won't impact other health issues they may have or interact with other medications they may be on. If their doctors give the go ahead, it won't hurt and may help a bit.
http://www.ehow.com/way_5675369_niacinamide-alzheimer_s-disease.html

However, I would caution you that in no way should this be advocated as a cure. It is not. Nothing can reverse existing brain damage, and Alzheimer's is relentlessly progressive. The best you can really hope for is some perking up. So, see their doctors and ask if taking B3 would be okay.

If your father is showing signs of cognitive impairment, I would get him properly assessed and diagnosed, as there are many, many causes of dementia in older people, and it isn't always Alzheimer's. Some of the other causes are more treatable, and even with Alzheimer's, there are medications that can slow down the progress and improve quality of life in many people. A proper assessment by a neurologist who specializes in dementia will tell you what you are dealing with. It is important to know the underlying cause, as some causes can actually be made worse by some of the drugs used for Alzheimer's patients to deal with mood and behavior issues.

Hope this helps

Mary