Niacin Therapy for Lyme Disease
James D. Hajicek
June 15, 1999
Motivation
My name is James D. Hajicek, and I live about 4 miles west of Burlington, WI.

I have been treating myself with a "megadose" of niacin for what I presume is Lyme disease for almost four months now. This is an unconventional therapy. This concept of this treatment is based upon a wild surmise that pellagra is a type of Borreliosis, and perhaps even a manifestation of Lyme disease.

This is not a solicitation. I am not seeking diagnostic assistance or medical advice for myself, at least not over the internet. Neither am I at this time trying to provide anecdotal evidence for my progress. What I have to say about my personal case history at this time is primarily intended to explain my motivation in all of this.

I am trying to generate an interest by qualified researchers with understanding of LD to reinvestigate the etiology of pellagra with a new perspective. Investigators years ago searched for an infectious organism for pellagra, and failed to find one, but they may not have had adequate tools. Also, I am trying to generate interest in applying the knowledge gained in the treatment of pellagra to the treatment of LD, and to the problem of creating reliable spirochete cultures.

Essentially, I am suggesting that when niacin is used in a large dose that it functions more like an antibiotic than like a vitamin.

Niacin and Pellagra
Part 1 - introduction, spirochete culture, pellagra and ACA
Part 2 - biting insects or ticks are a cofactor in pellagra
Part 3 - lessons learned from the study of pellagra

Niacin and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
NADH and CFS
Send mail to James Hajicek.
Return to the Medical Topics page.

Happy researching

Jimm

well Niacin is known as Vitamin B3.
It works on the lipid profile.
Well...I doubt the antibiotic effect of vitamin B3...but this is just my personal opinion.
Along with lyme one can take high dosages of niacin (800 mg tid) to modify the lipid level and it is also supposed to have a detoxing effect.

I started two days ago with taking niacin and I will report to you all if I will have the feeling that it works for me.

Here is some information about the effects of niacin:

http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v284n10/abs/joc91490.html

Effect of Niacin on Lipid and Lipoprotein Levels and Glycemic Control in Patients With Diabetes and Peripheral Arterial Disease

The ADMIT Study: A Randomized Trial

Marshall B. Elam, PhD, MD; Donald B. Hunninghake, MD; Kathryn B. Davis, PhD; Rekha Garg, MD, MS; Craig Johnson, MS; Debra Egan, MSc, MPH; John B. Kostis, MD; David S. Sheps, MD; Eliot A. Brinton, MD; for the ADMIT Investigators

Context Although niacin increases low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), which frequently accompany diabetes, current guidelines do not recommend use of niacin in patients with diabetes because of concerns about adverse effects on glycemic control; however, this is based on limited clinical data.

Objective To determine the efficacy and safety of lipid-modifying dosages of niacin in patients with diabetes.

Design and Setting Prospective, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted in 6 clinical centers from August 1993 to December 1995.

Participants A total of 468 participants, including 125 with diabetes, who had diagnosed peripheral arterial disease.

Interventions After an active run-in period, participants were randomly assigned to receive niacin (crystalline nicotinic acid), 3000 mg/d or maximum tolerated dosage (n = 64 with diabetes; n = 173 without diabetes), or placebo (n = 61 with diabetes; n = 170 without diabetes) for up to 60 weeks (12-week active run-in and 48-week double-blind).

Main Outcome Measures Plasma lipoprotein, glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), alanine aminotransferase, and uric acid levels; hypoglycemic drug use; compliance; and adverse events, in patients with diabetes vs without who were receiving niacin vs placebo.

Results Niacin use significantly increased HDL-C by 29% and 29% and decreased triglycerides by 23% and 28% and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by 8% and 9%, respectively, in participants with and without diabetes (P<.001 for niacin vs placebo for all). Corresponding changes in participants receiving placebo were increases of 0% and 2% in HDL-C and increases of 7% and 0% in triglycerides, and increases of 1% and 1% in LDL-C. Glucose levels were modestly increased by niacin (8.7 and 6.3 mg/dL [0.4 and 0.3 mmol/L]; P = .04 and P<.001) in participants with and without diabetes, respectively. Levels of HbA1c were unchanged from baseline to follow-up in participants with diabetes treated with niacin. In participants with diabetes treated with placebo, HbA1c decreased by 0.3% (P = .04 for difference). There were no significant differences in niacin discontinuation, niacin dosage, or hypoglycemic therapy in participants with diabetes assigned to niacin vs placebo.

Conclusions Our study suggests that lipid-modifying dosages of niacin can be safely used in patients with diabetes and that niacin therapy may be considered as an alternative to statin drugs or fibrates for patients with diabetes in whom these agents are not tolerated or fail to sufficiently correct hypertriglyceridemia or low HDL-C levels.

JAMA. 2000;284:1263-1270
-------------------------------------
http://www.cfs.purdue.edu/extension/efr/efr12-17.htm

eFOOD RAP
Volume 12, Number 17
August 16, 2002

William D. Evers, PhD, RD
Cooperative Extension Foods and Nutrition Specialist
Purdue University School of Consumer and Family Sciences
Department of Foods and Nutrition

There has been a lot in the news related to heart disease and
nutrition. As always, there are no magic bullets. This review of a
research study reinforces the need for not assuming that the term
"antioxidant" implies a positive effect. Remember, for every reduction
(antioxidation) there is an oxidation somewhere!

Taken verbatim from Nutrition Close-Up, vol. 19(1):7, Spring 2002.
Nutrition Close-Up is a quarterly publication of the American Egg
Board, 1050 17th St., NW Suite 560, Washington, DC 20036. Linda Min,
MS,RD - writer/editor. Email: [email protected].
The article reviewed is: Brown BG, Zhao XQ, Chait A, et al.
Simvastatin and niacin, antioxidant vitamins, or the combination for
the prevention of coronary disease. N Engl J Med 2001; 345-1583-1592.

TAG = Triacylglycerol or triglyceride

ANTIOXDANT VITAMINS SHOW NO PROTECTION AGAINST CVD

In their efforts to protect CVD patients against future CVD events,
cardiologists commonly treat hyperlipidemics with both statins and
supplements of antioxidant vitamins. But surprising findings by Brown
et al., are making doctors re-evaluate the use of antioxidant
vitamins in CVD patients. In this 3 year, double-blind trial, Brown
and colleagues treated 160 coronary disease patients with normal LDL
levels, but low HDL with either simvastatin-niacin (n=33),
simvastatin-niacin plus antioxidants (n=40), antioxidant vitamins (n=
39), or placebo (n=34) and measured the change in plasma lipid and
lipoprotein levels and percent change in coronary stenosis during the
follow-up period. The average subjects in the study were overweight
men in their 50s.

The mean dose of simvastatin and niacin were 13�6 mg/d and 2.4�2.0
gm/d, respectively, but varied depending on the patient's baseline
plasma lipid levels. The antioxidant therapy consisted of 800 IU of
vitamin E, 1,000 mg vitamin C, 25 mg beta carotene, and 100 �g of
selenium. Plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels were regularly checked
during clinic visits and arteriography was used to measure the change
in blockage of coronary arteries.

According to the data, the compliance rates on all 4 treatment groups
were between 80-95%. Also, as expected, plasma lipid, lipoprotein,
and apolipoprotein levels improved in the simvastatin-niacin group
and the simvastatin-niacin plus antioxidant group. For example,
compared to a baseline plasma total cholesterol of 201 mg/dl, LDL
cholesterol of 125 mg/dl, TAG of 213 mg/dl, and HDL cholesterol of 31
mg/dl, simvastatin-niacin therapy resulted in 31%, 42%, and 36%
decrease in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and TAG level,
respectively, while HDL cholesterol levels increased by 26%. HDL-2
and Lp(A-1) also increased by 65% and 81%, respectively. Adding
antioxidants to simvastatin-niacin therapy blunted the lipid lowering
effect of simvastatin-niacin therapy. For example, adding antioxidant
to simvastatin-niacin decreased total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol,
and TAG to 27%, 36%, and 31%, respectively. The antioxidant vitamin
treatment had no positive effect on plasma lipids, but instead, TAG
levels increased and HDL-2 decreased thus resulting in a negative
lipid profile. The plasma antioxidant vitamin concentrations did
increase following antioxidant treatment, indicating that subjects
were taking the supplements. Also, "diene lag time, an index of the
resistance of LDL to oxidation, increased by 35%, from 52.4 minutes
to 70.5 minutes (p<0.001)." Lipid profile did not significantly
change in the placebo group.

The arteriography readings showed that in the placebo group, stenosis
in proximal arteries progressed by 3.9% from baseline values of 34.5%
occlusion, which was the largest change among the 4 groups. Next
highest progression of stenosis during follow-up was in the
antioxidant group with 1.8%, followed by 0.4% in the
simvastatin-niacin plus antioxidant group, and regression of 0.7% in
the simvastatin niacin group. Analysis of the clinical cardiovascular
events also showed that, compared to the placebo group, the
simvastatin-niacin group had a 90% lower incidence of
revascularization, confirmed MI or stroke, and deaths related to CVD.

In conclusion, these results strongly favor the use of lipid lowering
statins such as simvastatin in combination with HDL cholesterol
raising niacin in hyperlipidemic patients with low HDL levels. Based
on the "epidemiological projections of a 1 percent reduction in
cardiovascular risk for each 1 percent increase in the HDL
cholesterol level and a 1 percent reduction in risk for each 1
percent decrease in LDL cholesterol level," according to the
researchers, simvastatin-niacin use in this study would lower CVD
risk by 68%. However, the decrease in lipid lowering effect following
the addition of antioxidant to simvastatin-niacin treatment was a
surprising outcome and makes one question the benefit of using
antioxidants in combination with statins. Aside from raising plasma
vitamin levels and increasing LDL oxidation time, antioxidant therapy
in this study also, did not significantly improve plasma lipid
profile or protect against progression of coronary stenosis and
cardiovascular events.

Very interesting,

A couple of quick questions,

1) Do you take any B complex with the niacin?

2) Do you take any other supplements?

3)Most important, how are you doing now?

4)Have you gone on any antibiotics since the begining of your own treatment?

It make sense to me so I will try it. You gradually work yourself up to 4000 mg of Niacin a day taken every two hours at 5oomg a dose. I just took 500mg and the flush is kicking in, but apparently with regular doses the flush goes. I am combining this with Samento.

I found the link to the work to Dr Hoffer paticularly interesting with his use of Niacin for arthritis etc.

Treescout refers to Niacin being useful for allowing the abx to work. Am I mad?

Healing Thoughts,

You had to know that I would answer this thread.

What the Niacin flsh does for me,

opens the vascular system quite well...if done in low doses.

I use 'flushing' niacin...be careful with this one, it is NOT slow release like the niacinamide that most take.

In fact, I always have to special order it.

I think it worked wonders for me as I was waitong to get started on the heparin therapy thru Dr Crist.

It works with the abx in that this increased circulation allows the abx, oxygen and nutirents to get into these areas that have become blocked off by either fibrin, or a host of other things causing a blockage.

I haven't used regular Niacin, or niacinamide
to do this...

I repeat myself here....BE CAREFUL if you are going to try the 'flushing" version of niacin.

The resulting flush can REALLY be painful.

I started out at only 25mg...and built up to where I was...not doing it now..but, may try some more...per the lipid theory.

Trout

PS...I took it with meals, too....or, with a snack about 1 1/2 hours before bedtime. Why? The body relaxes SO much after the flush it just outs you to sleep.

It may just be the usual lymie fluctuation, but I felt much more clear headed and energetic on the niacin. I felt no herx effect, so I have no evidence of any die off.

I read several reports cautioning that too much niacin can cause liver damage - starting at more than 500 mg daily, with increased risk at more than 3 g daily. See The Natural Pharmacy http://community.healthgate.com/GetContent.asp?siteid=iHerb&docid=/tnp/pg000676

Thanks for replying, I hoped you would!

One needs to use niacin period. See
www.doctoryourself.com/niacin.html and look up niacin on that website for loads of other references

Also www.holistichealthtopics.com/HMG/topics.html is informative.

Dr Abram Hoffer is the expert in niacin therapy and has written numourous books on it. One goes up to 9000mg if needed.

Healing thoughts,

Wallace

[This message has been edited by Wallace (edited 24 February 2004).]

I was looking again at www.doctoryourself.com/hoffer/niacin.html

References to CFS and Lyme however are not there.
www.doctoryourself.com is interesting but little mention of niacin and Lyme/CFS.

Anybody know of other references to niacin and Lyme?

Healing thoughts,

GREAT LINK!!!!!!!

We are talking about orthomoleclar medicine. Yesterday I took 35g of Vitamin C and 6000 mg of Niacin!

Anyone else tried this approach??

Healing thoughts'

yea I'm sold on the orthomolecular approach to nutrition as well. 35 g was my limit. It's a great antibiotic!

Do you know of a discussion group on orthomolecular medicine. I've got a book by Dr Hoffer which is great as well.

I am just starting on vitamin E. What dosage do you take

Yes Wallace,

And it really works. I have been studying nutrition and orthomolecular medicine for years, and when no doctors helped me, I turned to this old standby. Over a six month period, improved nurition and regular spurts of mega-C in particlular made a vast difference. I am about 90% as healthy now as I have ever been, and still improving.

Gigi once posted a note from her doctor that said 92% of the population have borrelia in their systems.That makes me wonder why our small group seem to suffer more, or be more susceptible. I came to the conclusion that many of us have exhausted adrenal response, and immune systems that no longer kick into high gear. This is not surprising, since few people follow a really good diet, and since modern farming methods are not calculated to get the best mineral content from the soil.

I now eat all organic foods, and use supplements only occasionally. Vitamin C and the B-complex (with huge doses of pantothene and naicin) were particularly important to the healing process, but I use them less now. I also think that you would do well to assure that you find a decent source of minerals, especially since those huge doses of C can be very acidic. Coral calcium is a good source of calcium and the trace minerals, but does not supply enough magnesium. It is also especially important when you are rebuilding your self at the cellular level to get enough protein and the right fats.

Anyway, I just want to encourage you in your path. We are all individuals, and our needs (and deficiencies) vary greatly. Keep reading those good books, and put them to good use. Eat and Be Happy.

Love,
Ellen

Thanks for your response.

I do think we need to get our nutrition sorted. It is the bulding blocks. I react badly to even natural antibiotics (Samento) so I have a way to go to get my foundation sorted.

I am now on 4,500 mg of Niacin and 800 iu of Vitamin E which I intend to gradually increase to...

As you say this is all very old and goes back to the 1950's but we've all forgotten this stuff!

Nutrition can be very simple, this is what Andrew Saul says time and again. I am also taking Leicitin which he recommends and I will have to get back to jucing!

Healing thoughts,

Healing thoughts,

After becoming very ill with typical Lyme syptoms - (again; I'm long term chronic) - 6 months ago after a lot of stress, I've been taking it very easy and focusing on diet and supplements. The arthritis, muscle pain, and fever have pretty much resolved as of last month.

My biggest problems now are foggy brain (intermittent, seems to be getting better), fatigue (constant) and catching every bug that comes by. If I'm not under stress, I seem to do OK.

I think abx have taken me as far as they can. Interesting thread - thanks, all.

Dear Wallace,

I used 1500 milligrams daily, a split dose, always with vitamin C. Helps rebuild exhausted adrenals and improve the immune system.

I know you said you some trouble with natural remedies. Have you tried golden seal? I used that as an antibitotic, about four capsules a day for a month. You might try one or two caps and see if you can tolerate it. It's very gentle, but pervasive.

I also have some delicious recipes that are chock full of nutrition and help stimulate healing, if you are interested. Supplements are great when you need them, but a healthy diet is the real foundation of health.

Eat and Be Happy,
Ellen

healing thoughts,

I would just like to say that both my husband and I, after gradually increasing, took up to 6000 mg of Niacin (the flush-type) for many months. And we are both perfectly fine and lymeless now. However, we did many other therapies at one time or the other.

I am certain, and so is our doctor because many other patients are taking it, that niacin was a contributing factor to getting well.