Breakthrough in COVID-19 Recovery: High-Dose Vitamin B3 Targeted at Gut Microbiome Accelerates Healing

Recent clinical research has unveiled promising results in speeding up recovery from COVID-19 by utilizing a novel high-dose vitamin B3 formulation that specifically targets the gut microbiome. Developed at the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Kiel, the patent-protected CICR-NAM tablet releases nicotinamide—a bioavailable form of vitamin B3—precisely in the last section of the small intestine and the large intestine. This targeted delivery aims to enhance gut health, modulate the microbiome, and support metabolic processes crucial for recovery.

A large-scale study involving 900 COVID-19 patients, called COVit-2, demonstrated that those receiving the CICR-NAM tablet regained their normal physical performance more rapidly within two weeks than those on a placebo. The patients also reported better ability to manage daily activities, especially among those at higher risk for severe disease outcomes, such as smokers or individuals with pre-existing lung conditions.

The study, published in Nature Metabolism and conducted by the Cluster of Excellence 'Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation,' utilized advanced data management to facilitate swift and comprehensive research. The findings suggest that vitamin B3, when protected and released directly in the gut, can influence the microbiome beneficially, helping to restore energy metabolism and combat inflammation.

This approach is grounded in extensive prior research indicating that COVID-19 disturbs the gut microbiome and that deficiencies in metabolic precursors like nicotinamide can exacerbate inflammation and disease severity. The encapsulated form of vitamin B3 used in the CICR-NAM tablet not only ensures that the nutrient reaches the target area in the intestine but also provides a new pathway for immune support and inflammation control through microbiome modulation.

The clinical trial employed a double-blind, placebo-controlled design, with patients regularly monitored through telephone interviews and stool sample analyses. While the primary focus was on short-term increases in physical performance and recovery, preliminary six-month follow-up data hint at a reduction in post-COVID symptoms among patients who responded well to nicotinamide treatment.

Experts highlight this as a significant milestone in precision nutrition and microbiome research, emphasizing that targeted nutrient delivery can influence infectious disease courses. The successful application of encapsulated vitamin B3 marks a new frontier in anti-inflammatory and immune-supportive therapies, with potential implications beyond COVID-19.

For further details, see the original study: Stefan Schreiber et al, Nicotinamide modulates gut microbial metabolic potential and accelerates recovery in mild-to-moderate COVID-19, Nature Metabolism (2025). Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-clinical-trial-faster-recovery-covid.html