Tier 2 — strong

Comparison of the effects of nicotinic acid and nicotinamide degradation on plasma betaine and choline levels

Wu-Ping Sun, Ming-Zhu Zhai, Da Li, Yiming Zhou, Na-Na Chen, Ming Guo, Shi-Sheng Zhou
Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) 2017 36(4):1136-1142

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 27567458
DOI
10.1016/j.clnu.2016.07.016
Funding
Funding was not specified in the indexed record or accessible funding metadata.
Competing interests
A competing-interest declaration was not available in the indexed record or accessible disclosure metadata.

Study snapshot

DesignRandomized acute challenge
ModelHuman participants
Sample30 adults; three groups of 10
InterventionNicotinamide 300 mg, nicotinic acid 300 mg or water; betaine measured
Duration3 hours
EndpointsBetaine consumption; Niacin metabolism; Homocysteine

What the study showed, in plain terms

Published in 2017, this source examined food sources, absorption and nutrient metabolism. Design: Randomized acute challenge. Sample/model: 30 adults; three groups of 10. The exposure or intervention was Nicotinamide 300 mg, nicotinic acid 300 mg or water; betaine measured. Follow-up or treatment period: 3 hours.

Nicotinamide produced larger homocysteine and methylated-metabolite increases and a larger betaine decrease than nicotinic acid.

This tested niacin forms, not NMN/NR with or without TMG. It cannot establish that all NAD precursor users require betaine.

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Continue with Foods High in Betaine: TMG Amounts and Practical Portions

Key findings

  • Nicotinamide produced larger homocysteine and methylated-metabolite increases and a larger betaine decrease than nicotinic acid.
  • The recorded outcome domains were Betaine consumption; Niacin metabolism; Homocysteine.
  • The result applies to the tested exposure: Nicotinamide 300 mg, nicotinic acid 300 mg or water; betaine measured; 3 hours.

What this study can and cannot tell us

  • This tested niacin forms, not NMN/NR with or without TMG. It cannot establish that all NAD precursor users require betaine.
  • An individual controlled trial must be interpreted alongside its comparator, sample size, endpoint selection and independent replication. It does not validate a different commercial formulation or a general longevity claim.
  • Source basis: Indexed abstract and bibliographic data. Missing method details, funding information or participant denominators are not inferred.

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Editorial review

Reviewed by the Biohack Blueprint research team

Last verified

Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction Dr. Amr Yasser, PhDCardiometabolic, Musculoskeletal, Gut & Bioavailability Dr. Abdulla Mostafa, PhDCellular Senescence, Neurological, Mitochondrial & Brain-Ageing Biology