This is for COPD sufferers.
A recent study from Danish researchers has revealed that daily vitamin B3 supplementation significantly reduces lung inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Led by Morten Scheibye-Knudsen from the University of Copenhagen, the research highlights the potential of vitamin B3 in improving lung health by targeting inflammation, which is a major contributor to the decline in lung function in COPD patients.
The study involved 40 COPD patients and a control group of 20 healthy individuals. Participants were administered either 2 grams of nicotinamide riboside, a form of vitamin B3, or a placebo daily. After six weeks, researchers observed a 53% reduction in interleukin 8 (IL-8), a marker of inflammation. This reduction increased to 63% after an additional 12 weeks of treatment, suggesting sustained anti-inflammatory effects from the vitamin therapy.
Beyond reducing inflammation, the study also uncovered a connection between COPD and lower levels of NAD, a molecule involved in aging and cellular repair. Treatment with vitamin B3 boosted NAD levels, which appeared to slow signs of cellular aging. The findings, published in Nature Aging, suggest that NAD depletion might play a role in aging and the damage caused by smoking, making it a potential target for future therapies.
Scheibye-Knudsen emphasized the need for further research to confirm these results and explore the long-term effects of nicotinamide riboside in treating COPD. A larger study is already planned to build on these promising findings.
The researchers hope that this work will lead to innovative treatment options for COPD patients, potentially improving their quality of life by addressing both inflammation and the underlying cellular changes associated with the disease.
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