Protecting cells from DNA damage

Protecting cells from the DNA damage that can trigger disease and promote the aging process was the subject of a recent e-Alert (“Sir2, With Love” 4/8/03), in which I told you how nicotinamide helps cells build a protective barrier.

Several members sent e-mails with questions about a supplement recommendation and the nicotinamide/niacin connection. Here’s one from a member named Patti:

“In Jenny’s alert today, she talked about nicotinamide AND niacin, the first being a derivative of the second. However, I’m confused about the recommendation for the purposes delineated in the articleis she suggesting nicotinamide OR niacin? The Source Naturals product noted at the end of the article is apparently niacin.”

And Shirley wrote with a more specific question about how to find the supplement I mentioned:

“I have visited the sourcenaturals.com website, and nicotinamide is nowhere to be found, nor is Coenzymated B3 listed on Source Naturals website. Is the spelling correct? Or should I be looking for something else?”

Nicotinamide is a derivative of niacin (also known as vitamin B3) and a precursor to a coenzyme called nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), which your body requires to activate the cell protective effects of a protein called Sir2p. To put it more simply: for our purposes we can think of nicotinamide and niacin as being one and the same.

The Source Naturals product Coenzymated B3 is “niacin as NAD.” And when you go looking for it on the Source Naturals web site (sourcenaturals.com), there are two important things to remember: 1) Source Naturals is a wholesaler, so you can’t order any of their products directly through the site. On their home page you’ll find a button titled “Find a Store Near You or an Online Sales Source.” And 2) It’s a little difficult to find the information page for Coenzymated B3, so I’ll walk you though it. Click on “Our Products, A-Z,” and then click “Products, Alphabetically.” You’ll then choose “C” of course, but when the list of products comes up Coenzymated B3 won’t be there. You’ll need to click to page two where you’ll find it toward the bottom of the list.

They certainly don’t make it easy to find, but considering the benefits of this supplement, I believe the search will be worth the little extra trouble. Happy hunting!

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute