The vitamin niacin has a life-prolonging effect, as Michael Ristow has demonstrated in roundworms.
From his study, the ETH-Zurich professor also concludes that so-called reactive oxygen species are healthy, not only disagreeing with the general consensus, but also many of his peers.
Who would not want to live a long and healthy life? A freely available food supplement could help in this respect, scientists from ETH Zurich have demonstrated in roundworms. Vitamin B3 – also known as niacin – and its metabolite nicotinamide in the worms’ diet caused them to live for about one tenth longer than usual.
As an international team of researchers headed by Michael Ristow, a professor of energy metabolism, has now experimentally demonstrated, niacin and nicotinamide take effect by promoting formation of so-called free radicals. “In roundworms, these reactive oxygen species prolong life,” says Ristow.
“No scientific evidence for usefulness of antioxidants”
This might seem surprising as reactive oxygen species are generally considered to be unhealthy. Ristow’s view also contradicts the textbook opinion championed by many other scientists. Reactive oxygen species are known to damage somatic cells, a condition referred to as oxidative stress. Particular substances, so-called antioxidants, which are also found in fruit, vegetables and certain vegetable oils, are capable of neutralising these free radicals. Many scientists believe that antioxidants are beneficial to health.
“The claim that intake of antioxidants, especially in tablet form, promotes any aspect of human health lacks scientific support,” says Ristow. He does not dispute that fruit and vegetables are healthy. However, this may rather be caused by other compounds contained therein, such as so-called polyphenols. “Fruit and vegetables are healthy, despite the fact that they contain antioxidants,” says the ETH-Zurich professor. Based on the current and many previous findings he is convinced that small amounts of reactive oxygen species and the oxidative stress they trigger have a health-promoting impact. “Cells can cope well with oxidative stress and neutralise it,” says Ristow.
Substance mimics endurance sport
In earlier studies on humans, Ristow demonstrated that the health-enhancing effect of endurance sports is mediated via an increased formation of reactive oxygen species – and that antioxidants abolish this effect. Based on the present study, he concludes that niacin brings about a similar metabolic condition to exercise. “Niacin tricks the body into believing that it is exercising – even when this is not the case,” says Ristow. Such compounds are known as “exercise mimetics”.
The researchers conducted their experiments on the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. This worm, which is merely one millimetre in length, can be easily maintained and has a lifespan of only a month, making it the ideal model organism for ageing research.
Also relevant for humans
The results of the study may also be of relevance for humans, says Ristow. After all, the metabolic pathway initiated by niacin is very similar in roundworms and higher organisms. Whether niacin has similar effects on the life expectancy of mice is the subject of Ristow’s current research. Previous studies also suggest a health-enhancing effect of niacin in humans with elevated blood cholesterol levels.
Niacin and nicotinamide have been approved as dietary supplements for decades. Ristow could easily envisage the substances being used broadly for therapeutic purposes in the future. A whole series of foods naturally contain niacin, including meat, liver, fish, peanuts, mushrooms, rice and wheat bran. Whether nutritional uptake is sufficient for a health-enhancing or lifespan-extending effect, however, remains to be demonstrated, says Ristow.
The Latest Bing News on:
Niacin
- What Are the Healthiest Types of Mushrooms?on April 23, 2024 at 3:00 am
Mushrooms are highly nutritious and may benefit health in several ways. Here are five of the healthiest mushrooms you can eat.
- The 5 Best Healthy Meats to Eat—and 2 to Avoidon April 22, 2024 at 5:26 pm
Iron maintaining a healthy weigh Journal of Food & Nutrition Research white meat pork tenderloin lean cuts of red meat Proceedings of the Nutrition Society antioxidants some cancers processed meats ...
- Rosuvastatin Alone or With Extended-Release Niacin: A New Therapeutic Option for Patients With Combined Hyperlipidemiaon April 20, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Combination therapy with a statin and niacin may provide optimal therapy for patients with combined hyperlipidemia and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The authors ...
- Effects of Niacin on LDL Particle Numberon April 17, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Niacin has long been used as an effective lipid-altering therapy, particularly for raising HDL-C and lowering triglyceride levels. In addition, niacin modestly lowers LDL-C levels. LDL-C ...
- You don’t want to overdose on these 5 vitaminson April 11, 2024 at 1:20 pm
You can get too much of a good thing — these are the vitamins and minerals you definitely don’t want to overdose on.
- Expired Vitamins are Okay, and 4 Other Things You Didn't Know About Nutrientson April 10, 2024 at 6:30 am
From taking expired supplements to knowing the best cooking methods for nutritional value, here's what you need to know about getting the right vitamins.
- Niacin News and Researchon March 27, 2024 at 5:01 pm
Cleveland Clinic researchers have identified a new pathway that contributes to cardiovascular disease associated with high levels of niacin, a common B vitamin previously recommended to lower ...
- Top 6 Best Niacin Supplement in 2024on March 23, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Vitamin B3, also known as Niacin, is an essential nutrient that plays an important role in maintaining overall health. Functions include turning food into energy for the body, helping the nervous ...
- History of niacin usage remains very complicatedon March 21, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Q: On the news last week, there was a segment about niacin supplements causing heart disease in mice. I have taken B complex supplements for years to get vitamin B6 to help with my energy level ...
- High Levels of Niacin, an Essential B Vitamin, Linked to Increased Heart Disease Riskon March 13, 2024 at 5:01 pm
New research shows high levels of niacin has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is found in foods like meat, poultry, fortified breads and cereals ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Niacin
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Niacin” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
Exercise mimetics
- We've tested the best exercise bikes to help you boost your fitness at homeon April 19, 2024 at 2:49 am
If you're looking for a way to boost your cardio fitness and build lower body strength, the best exercise bikes are a great option. You can choose between stationary (low-intensity) and spin (high ...
- Exercise caution with A.I. workouton April 18, 2024 at 10:00 pm
When it comes to exercise advice, artificial intelligence can sometimes be a dumbbell. A study in JMIR Medical Education found that ChatGPT’s responses to queries looking for individualized ...
- Exercise changes the brain in a way that helps heart health, especially for people with depressionon April 16, 2024 at 8:55 am
It's common knowledge that exercise is good for your mental health and your heart health — and now a new study suggests that all three are working together.In addition to the physical benefits of ...
- Exercise changes the brain in a way that helps heart health, especially for people with depressionon April 16, 2024 at 8:55 am
It's common knowledge that exercise is good for your mental health and your heart health — and now a new study suggests that all three are working together.In addition to the physical benefits ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Exercise mimetics
[google_news title=”” keyword=”exercise mimetics” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]