Rethinking Vitamin B3 as the best natural remedy for ADHD according to chiropractic doctor, Dr. Berg DC.

I recently watched a YouTube video entitled, The Best Remedy for ADD/ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) by Dr. Eric Berg, DC, and was troubled when I researched his claims. The video has garnered over 350K views, which is alarming given the misinformation inside. I’m hoping this article inspires Dr. Berg to remove the video from his channel or update it with more accurate information.

Dr. Berg claims taking 250 mg of Niacin Vitamin B3 six to eight times a day for ADHD symptoms is the best natural remedy for ADHD in adults and children, and this subject has been ignored for 70 years.

Why take advice about ADHD from a former chiropractor?

Eric Berg, D.C., is widely known online as “Dr. Berg” or “The Knowledge Doc”. The D.C. represents his training as a chiropractor, not a medical doctor (MD) or registered dietitian.

While Vitamin B3 in low doses is generally considered safe, at very high doses (above about 3 grams per day), nicotinamide (vitamin B3) has been associated with acute liver toxicity in case reports. High-dose vitamin B3 (especially niacin, but also nicotinamide at high levels) can cause liver enzyme elevations, liver injury, low blood pressure, GI issues, and affect blood sugar. NCBI+2NCBI+2. Berg’s video recommends 1.5-2 grams per day, which is still well above common over-the-counter doses, and long-term safety, especially in children, is not well studied.

It’s also troubling to me that Dr. Berg runs a business selling vitamins and supplements from his website.

Ignored for 70 years?

Read our article before hitting play, better yet, don’t watch this at all.

Berg references data from the research of the late Dr. William Kaufman, M.D. Berg’s YouTube video description says, “He (Dr. Kaufman) found that niacinamide in high doses is an effective remedy for ADD (attention deficit disorder) or ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).

Dr. Kaufman did not study the effects of niacinamide in children or adults with ADD (now called ADHD).

1. No controlled ADHD trials
   He didn’t run experiments with ADHD-diagnosed children or adults.

2. No randomized or blinded designs
   His books and papers contain observational case studies, not modern clinical trials.

3. His cognitive improvements were in malnourished or arthritic adults
   Not a population that would generalize to ADHD neurodevelopment.

4. ADHD is not caused by vitamin deficiency
   Nutritional deficiencies can worsen attention, but they aren’t the root cause of the neurotype.

What modern science says about B-vitamins and ADHD

• Vitamin B deficiencies can worsen attention and fatigue.

• Supplementation may help individuals who are deficient, but it does not treat ADHD on its own.

• Larger ADHD improvement is associated with:

  • stimulant medication

  • cognitive-behavioral strategies

  • sleep, nutrition, and exercise improvements

  • structured support systems

Vitamin B is not an accepted ADHD therapy, and using high‑dose niacin can cause flushing, itching, acute liver toxicity, and interact with medications, so using large doses for ADHD without medical supervision is definitely not recommended. Berg’s statement that there is “very low toxicity or side effects, if any at all,” is misleading. Most people tolerate modest doses, but high chronic doses are not risk-free.

As always, we recommend Wise Squirrels ask their medical doctors for the best treatments for ADHD, leave your chiropractor to snapping you back in place instead.