Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Niacin (vitamin B3) has traditionally been touted as beneficial for memory and brain function, primarily due to its essential role in cellular metabolism and energy production in the brain. Historically, severe niacin deficiency leads to pellagra, a condition characterized by dementia, diarrhea, and dermatitis. The clear link between pellagra-induced dementia and niacin deficiency has led to the belief that niacin supplementation can support brain health and memory. However, this effect is most relevant in cases of frank deficiency; in well-nourished individuals, clinical trials and scientific reviews have found little consistent evidence that niacin supplementation enhances memory or cognitive function beyond correcting deficiency. Some observational studies have hinted at a possible association between higher dietary niacin intake and reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease, but these findings are not robustly supported by randomized controlled trials. Overall, while niacin is essential for normal brain function, there is little scientific validation for its use as a cognitive enhancer or memory aid in individuals with adequate intake. Its use for supporting memory and brain function is therefore primarily justified by traditional knowledge related to deficiency states, rather than strong modern clinical evidence.

More about niacin (vitamin B3)
More about Memory and Brain Function

Other ingredients used for Memory and Brain Function

Other health conditions supported by niacin (vitamin B3)

Products containing niacin (vitamin B3)

Integrative Therapeutics Active B-Complex
Metagenics AdvaClear
Metagenics AdvaClear
Douglas Laboratories B-Complex
Pure Encapsulations B-Complex Plus
Pure Encapsulations B-Complex Plus
Designs For Health B-Supreme
Pure Encapsulations B6 Complex
Pure Encapsulations B6 Complex
Thorne Basic B Complex
Metagenics Bone Builder Active
Vitabase Cholesterol Support
Metagenics Clear Change Daily Essentials
Integrative Therapeutics Detoxication Factors
Integrative Therapeutics Detoxication Factors
Designs For Health DFH Complete Multi™
Designs For Health DFH Complete Multi™ with Copper
Designs For Health DFH Complete Multi™ with Copper & Iron
Pure Encapsulations Energize Plus™ Pure Pack
Metagenics Fem Prenatal®
Integrative Therapeutics Flush-Free Niacin
Metagenics Glutagenics
Metagenics Glycogenics
Vitabase Hair, Skin & Nails Formula
Pure Encapsulations Hair/Skin/Nails Ultra
Metagenics ImmuCore
Metagenics Immune Defense Pack
Metagenics Ketogenic Shake Chocolate
Metagenics Ketogenic Shake Vanilla
Klean Athlete Klean Multivitamin ™
Vitabase Life's Essentials Plus
Designs For Health Liposomal B Supreme
Metagenics Lipotain®
Thorne MediClear Plus
Thorne Men's Multi 50+
Designs For Health Metabolic Synergy™
Designs For Health Metabolic Synergy™
Metagenics MetaKids Nutrition Powder Chocolate
Metagenics MetaKids Nutrition Powder Vanilla
Pure Encapsulations Multi t/d
Pure Encapsulations Multi t/d
Thorne Multi-Vitamin Elite NSF
Thorne Multi-Vitamin Elite NSF
Metagenics Multigenics®
Metagenics Multigenics Intensive Care
Metagenics Multigenics Intensive Care without Iron
Metagenics Multigenics without Iron
Integrative Therapeutics Multiplex-1 No-Iron
Pure Encapsulations NeuroMood Pure Pack
Pure Encapsulations Niacinamide
Pure Encapsulations Niacitol® 500 mg
Pure Encapsulations Niacitol® (no-flush niacin) 650 mg
Douglas Laboratories Niatab ™ 500
Metagenics Niatain®
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950®
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950®
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950®
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950® A without Copper & Iron
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950® with NAC
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950® with Vitamin K
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950® without Copper, Iron & Iodine
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950® without Iron
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950® without Iron
Integrative Therapeutics Nutrivitamin No-Iron
Pure Encapsulations O.N.E.™ Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations O.N.E.™ Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations O.N.E.™ Multivitamin
Integrative Therapeutics Osteoprime Forte
Designs For Health PaleoMeal®
Designs For Health PaleoMeal®
Integrative Therapeutics Physicians Elemental Diet Dextrose Free
Integrative Therapeutics Physician's Elemental Diet
Integrative Therapeutics Physician's Elemental Diet
Integrative Therapeutics Physicians Elemental Diet Kit
Metagenics PhytoMulti™ Multivitamin
Metagenics PhytoMulti With Iron
Metagenics PhytoMulti Without Iron
Metagenics PhytoMultivitamin
Metagenics PlusOne® Daily Prenatal Packs
Pure Encapsulations Polyphenol Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations Polyphenol Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations PreNatal Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations PreNatal Nutrients
Designs For Health Primal Multi™
Integrative Therapeutics ProThrivers Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations PureGenomics® B-Complex
Pure Encapsulations PureGenomics® Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations PureGenomics® UltraMultivitamin
Pure Encapsulations PureLean® Protein
Designs For Health Twice Daily Essential Packets
Designs For Health Twice Daily Multi™
Designs For Health Twice Daily Multi™
Designs For Health Twice Daily Multi™
Douglas Laboratories Ultra B-Complex
Pure Encapsulations Ultra B-Complex with PQQ
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control® Chocolate
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control Chocolate
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control Vanilla
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control Vanilla
Metagenics Ultra Potent-C 1000
Metagenics Ultra Potent-C 500
Metagenics Ultra Potent-C Chewable
Metagenics Ultra Potent-C Powder
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive 50+ -EZ Swallow
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive ®-EZ Swallow
Douglas Laboratories ULTRA PREVENTIVE® III W/COPPER
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive ® Kids Grape Flavor
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive ® Kids Orange Flavor
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive® X
Pure Encapsulations Ultra Pure Pack
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish® Chocolate
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish Chocolate
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish Vanilla
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish Vanilla
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360°® Chocolate/Orange
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Orange
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Original Spice
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraMeal Advanced Protein® Dutch Chocolate
Metagenics UltraMeal Advanced Protein French Vanilla
Metagenics UltraMeal Advanced Protein Plain
Metagenics UltraMeal Cardio 360°® Pea/Rice Chocolate
Metagenics UltraMeal Cardio 360° Pea/Rice Vanilla
Metagenics UltraMeal® Daily Support Dutch Chocolate
Metagenics UltraMeal Daily Support Mixed Berry
Metagenics UltraMeal Rice Vanilla
Pure Encapsulations UltraNutrient®
Pure Encapsulations UltraNutrient®
Pure Encapsulations UltraNutrient®
Pure Encapsulations VisionPro Nutrients
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Active Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Brain Health Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials® Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Healthy Balance Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Men's Vitality Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Women's Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Women's Prime Daily Packs
Thorne Women's Multi 50+
Pure Encapsulations Women's Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations Women's Nutrients
Designs For Health Women's Twice Daily Essential Packets