Vitamin protects against diabetic complications.
Nicotinamide riboside(NR) lowers blood sugar, reduces fatty liver and prevents neuropathy in models of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Nicotinamide is a naturally occurring vitamin. It was studied in mouse models and was able to lower sugar levels, reduce fatty liver and prevent peripheral nerve damage.
The promising results from the mouse studies have provided enough evidence to conduct human trials as well, testing the effects of nicotinamide riboside on disorders including prediabetes and T2D, and also, obesity, fatty liver disease and neuropathies.
Nicotinamide riboside is a precursor of NAD+. NAD+ is a cellular metabolite required for cells to convert fuel into energy but levels decline with age. NR has major potential in improving metabolic health and promoting healthy living and aging.
The mice in the study were divided into six groups. The control mice that were fed normal chow with or without the NR, prediabetic mice fed a high-fat diet with or without the NR and T2D mice on a highfat diet under the same conditions. The NR greatly protected the mice from hepatic steatosis, reduced liver damage and improved blood sugar levels. It also protected against peripheral nerve damage or neuropathy.
