Vitamin B3 Supplement Can Prevent Miscarriages and Birth Defects, Says Study

brindafella writes: The landmark finding about vitamin B3, made by the Victor Chang Institute in Sydney, Australia, has been described as "the most important discovery for pregnant women since folate." The study has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. From News.com.au: "The historic discovery, believed to be among Australia's greatest ever medical achievements, is expected to forever change the way pregnant women are cared for around the globe. Every year 7.9 million babies are born with a birth defect worldwide and one in four pregnant women suffer a miscarriage in Australia. In the vast majority of cases the cause of these problems has remained a mystery. Until now. Professor Sally Dunwoodie from the Victor Chang Institute has identified a major cause of miscarriages as well as heart, spinal, kidney and cleft palate problems in newborn babies. The landmark study found that a deficiency in a vital molecule, known as NAD, prevents a baby's organs from developing correctly in the womb. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is one of the most important molecules in all living cells. NAD synthesis is essential for energy production, DNA repair and cell communication. Disrupting its production causes a NAD deficiency. The Victor Chang researchers have found this deficiency is particularly harmful during a pregnancy as it cripples an embryo when it is forming. At the heart of the paramount discovery is the dietary supplement vitamin B3, also known as niacin. Scientists at the Victor Chang Institute have discovered how to prevent miscarriages and birth defects by simply boosting levels of the nutrient during pregnancy."

In Mice

[Anonymous Coward]

This is massive overstatement and we need to wait for some human evidence.

http://theconversation.com/pregnant-women-shouldnt-start-taking-vitamin-b3-just-yet-reports-it-prevents-miscarriage-and-birth-defects-are-overblown-82315

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[redback]

or just eat vegemite. delicious and high in all sorts of nutrients, including B3

Re:

[Anonymous Coward]

Exactly this.
The study relates to mice, with a specific gene mutation.
It doesn't apply to all causes of miscarriage, and there were no human studies done.

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[alvinrod]

Because that was 100 years ago and doesn't have a lot of bearing on the current goals or motivations of the organization. It's a bit like telling a black person that they're terrible for not voting Republican because they were the party that freed the slaves. You may have stated a perfectly true fact, but its one that is irrelevant at the current time.

NAD

[Waffle Iron]

Isn't that the outfit that pioneered selling stripped-down black electronic components to audiophiles for top dollar?

Elk Antler Spray

[PopeRatzo]

I guess we all knew it would eventually come to this: Slashdot hawking supplements.

Meet the new Slashdot editor - Gorilla Mindset Juicebro & His Magic Jism.

http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/M... [rationalwiki.org]

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[Carewolf]

Prevent !!? how is that suppose to help me now...

It is too late to miscarry you at this point.

NAD deficiency?

[cyber-vandal]

Isn't the just a politically incorrect way of describing a female baby?

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[mentil]

Ovaries also count as gonads.

Vitamin B3 Supplement Can Prevent Miscarriages and

[rickyslashdot]

For all the newly pregnant mothers-to-be - - - pre-natal vitamins are NOT a joke - they are a vital necessity for your child's health and welfare ! ! !

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[rickyslashdot]

hmmmm - - - downgraded as 'REDUNDANT'
So be it.

There can NEVER be enough warnings and sound medical advice to give to ANY expectant mother.
I'll take the hit gracefully.
I just hope it gets to at least ONE more new mother-to-be and gets her to take the proper nutritional care of her developing child.

cheers

So, as per ussual, a balanced diet...

[Veilex]

This isn't news. It isn't ground breaking. We've heard this before. In fact, discussions on this topic shifted long ago from if niacin is good to take during pregnancy... to how much is safe. We all know eating right is important. We all know a balanced diet is key... niacin is in a LOT of foods... and you really only need trace amounts, as with most vitamins and minerals... even during pregnancy. Here's a quick breakdown of some foods with niacin --- (1) Turkey. 1 breast: 101 mg (over 100% DV), (2) Chic

whoa, not so fast

[jds91md]

It is a massive overstatement to say that birth defects are going to be prevented. Did anyone here read the article? I did. This is still in the realm of science and optimism and hypothesis. 1. researchers looked at genes in human family members of those with multiple congenital anomalies, found some genetic stuff, speculated genetic issues could have caused birth defects (and maybe miscarriages) and could be fixed by increased NAD (Niacin, Vit B3) 2. researches put the speculated problematic genes