I've had multiple sclerosis since 1995, in a wheelchair since 2011.
Since 2014 I've been using extended release Niacin as a sublingual to induce a flush and increase mobility. I go from paraplegic in wheelchair to walking with walker up to 100 feet. Stiffness is gone from legs. Also allows me to work out for 60 minutes. But then the flush fades and I can't even tap my toe! . I found people in weightlifting forums also stating the niacin flush helps their workouts.
500-800 mg ER Niacin is what I take as sublingual to generate a flush. If you try this start small with 50 mg and work your way up. Use a pill crusher, put the power under tongue. It's very intense, so be careful. You will get used to it eventually, but at first it is an uncomfortable, itchy sunburn feeling. I had been taking it orally, but you can't predict when the flush will start; with sublingual the flush starts right away. I only do this 3-4 times a week to avoid liver damage issues.
So the question is, A) have I found a way to unlock the NAD+ fire hose? Can ATP have this big and fast an effect on my energy? Or B) is it vasodialtion and more oxygen to the tissues?
A) Ramps up NAD through the Krebs cycle to make more ATP, which gives the cells energy.
Taking Niacin Makes Your Mitochondria Happy video
I haven't found niacinamide to be as effective as the ER Niacin flush, but per Dr. Sarah Myhill a UK-based physician and clinical nutritionist:
Niacinamide (B3): A Little Vitamin the Mitochondria Must Have
http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm?libid=16953
“Any condition associated with poor mitochondrial function, such as chronic fatigue syndrome… may well benefit from niacinamide supplementation.”
But can NAD+ create such a dramatic energy increase in just a few minutes, enough to get me walking?
B) The mechanism and mitigation of niacin-induced flushing
Niacin activates the arachidonic acid cascade to induce vasodilatation. Niacin activates the G-protein coupled receptor 109A (GPR109A) to increase cAMP and releases arachidonic acid from cell membranes. Arachidonic acid is metabolised to produce prostaglandins, ...
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2779993/
If I know which method of action to pursue, maybe I can find other supplements or medications that would make the energy effect last longer. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
I did try Niagen for 3 months and Basis for 2 months. Neither of these nicotinamide riboside products made any change to energy level.
Edited by VanWinkle, 01 July 2017 - 12:40 AM.