Vitamin B3 could help resolve abnormalities
If you’re expecting, then you already know that you should be loading up on folic acid to help protect your baby from birth defects. But now a new study suggests that there is another vitamin supplement that can have a huge impact on avoiding miscarriages and birth defects and that’s vitamin B3, or niacin.
A study at the Victor Chang Institute in Sydney, Australia is hailing the effects of B3 and calling their findings “a double breakthrough,” as reported by the BBC. It could be “the most important discovery for pregnant women since folate,” ABC noted.
Nearly 8 million babies are born each year with a birth defect. The study could have a big global impact in the future. But for right now, some experts are cautioning that the findings “cannot be translated into recommendations” for pregnancy.
Basically, the researchers analyzed the DNA of four families where the mothers had suffered multiple miscarriages or their babies were born with multiple birth defects. Among the problems were heart, kidney, vertebrae and cleft palate issues.
They found mutations in two genes that caused the child to be seriously lacking in a vital molecule known as Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide ( NAD), which allows cells to generate energy and organs to develop normally.
Head researcher Professor Sally Dunwoodie rep- licated these mutations in mice but found they could be corrected if the pregnant mother took niacin (vitamin B3). If the vitamin deficiency is fixed, it appears, it may fix the defect.
“You can boost your levels of NAD and completely prevent the miscarriages and birth defects. It bypasses the genetic problem,” she told the BBC. “It’s rare that you find a cause and a prevention in the same study. And the prevention is so simple, it’s a vitamin.”
Dr. Katie Morris, an expert in fetal medicine at the University of Birmingham, said: “While exciting, this discovery cannot be translated into recommendations for pregnant women, who at most may be deficient in vitamin B3.”
The reason? Apparently, the doses used in the study were 10 times above the recommended daily doses for women and researchers are uncertain of the side effects of that high dosage. Plus, other factors often contribute to pregnancy complications.
It’s also worth noting: The findings are based on the genetics of only four families and mice. Not exactly a reliable sample size.
Researchers are now trying to devise a test — possibly a simple urine or blood test — to identify who needs more B3, according to an ABC report.
Meanwhile, if you want to naturally boost your levels of B3, try tucking into more legumes, nuts, leafy vegetables and meat. A turkey sandwich with a side of peanuts might hit the spot.