Loading Curie Briefs...
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
A short course of oral vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) improved tiny blood vessel patterns in nearly half of patients with Raynaud phenomenon (RP). Patients with primary RP also saw meaningful gains in quality of life. The supplement was well tolerated, with few side effects reported across both primary and scleroderma-related RP groups.
A new prospective crossover study found that oral nicotinamide (vitamin B3) at 500 mg twice daily for just 14 days improved nailfold capillary patterns in roughly 45% of participants with Raynaud phenomenon (RP) — a condition where blood vessels in the fingers and toes overreact to cold or stress. The 38-participant study, conducted across Australian rheumatology clinics during winter months, included both primary RP and scleroderma-related RP patients.
Improvements were seen in capillary structure, with more normal capillaries and fewer abnormal features after supplementation. Patients with primary RP also reported better quality of life, with the proportion achieving an acceptable symptom state jumping from 45% to 75% — gains that held even after the supplement was stopped. Scleroderma-related RP patients, however, did not show significant quality-of-life improvements.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: Raynaud phenomenon has limited treatment options, especially for patients seeking non-pharmacological approaches. These findings suggest vitamin B3 could be a safe, accessible, and affordable add-on therapy — though larger, placebo-controlled trials are needed to confirm its role.
