Niacin Could Stop Spread of MRSA
- By BSTQ Staff
In a recent study, scientists found that high doses of niacin, or vitamin B3, massively boost the body’s defenses against staphylococcus bacteria. In tests of mice and human blood samples, large doses of niacin increased the numbers of neutrophils, specialized white blood cells that kill and eat harmful bacteria. By doing so, the immune system’s ability to kill different strains of antibiotic-resistant superbugs, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), was increased up to 1,000 times. However, the researchers used clinical megadoses of niacin far beyond what any normal diet would provide, but similar to those previously given to patients undergoing treatment.
“Antibiotics are wonder drugs, but they face increasing problems with resistance by various types of bacteria, especially Staphylococcus aureus,” said lead researcher Dr. Adrian Gombart from Oregon State University. “This could give us a new way to treat staph infections that can be deadly, and might be used in combination with current biotics. It’s a way to tap into the power of the innate immune system and stimulate it to provide a more powerful and natural immune response.” The research was published in the August 28 edition of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
