Niacinamide limits weight gain on High Fat Diet, Increases Energy Expenditure

A very interesting study on Niacinamide, and one that I am a bit surprised that Haidut never seemed to find.  In this study, researchers tested out two doses of regular Niacinamide in addition to a high fat diet.  Both doses seemed to protect against weight gain, and the High Dose seemed to keep the mice lean.  Niacinamide also lowered inflammatory markers like TNF Alpha, and IL-6, lowered Free Fatty Acids, raised NAD+ and the NAD+/NADH ratio, and increased Adiponectin.  Niacinamide also seemed to suppress both SCD1 and Fatty Acid Synthase, both of which are overexpressed in Obesity.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mnfr.202100111

On the old RPF, there was talk that Niacinamide may actually prevent fat loss, but this study showed the opposite.  In fact, it suggested that FAO actually increased on both Niacinamide doses.

It seems like when losing fat/weight, there is a “metabolic block.”  Pretty much everyone who has tried to diet has experienced this at some point, from either battling hunger, having low energy, or hitting the dreaded plateau.  Based on some of Brad Marshall’s videos, I suspect the “metabolic block” is from relying on excess FAO, which causes a buildup of NADH, as opposed to relying mainly on carbs, which seem to generate plenty of NAD+.  This study seems to suggest that Niacinamide will create extra NAD+ to increase metabolism, even if the organism is relying more on fat for energy instead of carbs.  When losing weight/fat, there probably is going to be a fair amount of FAO, even if you are eating a high carb/low fat diet.

The doses used in the study were pretty high.  The “Low Dose” would be about 1.8 grams of Niacinamide for a 70kg person, and the high dose closer to 8 grams.  I think there were some studies suggesting issues with Niacinamide over 4 grams per day, specifically liver issues.  A better solution might be to use Niacinamide closer to the “Low Dose” in the study, and some sort of redox agent that has been shown to convert NADH back to NAD+, like Methylene Blue or Alpha Lipoic Acid, in addition to a higher carb and lower fat diet.