Vitamin B3 Niacin

Vitamins

General information on vitamin B3 niacin, including food and herb sources.....

Vitamin B3 niacin is another member of the B–complex vitamin family and is well renowned for its ability to lower blood cholesterol levels as effectively as many pharmaceutical products.

Vitamin B3 is also associated with a disease called pellagra, which is caused by a severe niacin deficiency. Pellagra is characterized by the "3-Ds" - dermatitis, dementia, and diarrhea. The skin becomes dark, rough, and flakes away, which is a type of dermatitis. The brain does not properly function, leading to confusion and dementia. In addition, diarrhea results from the impaired manufacture of the mucous lining of the gastrointestinal tract.

There are two preformed forms of niacin called nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. Nicotinic acid and nicotinamide are found in many high-protein foods. In addition, with the help of other B vitamins, the body converts tryptophan (an amino acid) into niacin. However, if you are deficient in vitamin B1, B2, and B6 the body will not be able to produce niacin from tryptophan.

Vitamin B3 Niacin Best Foods and Herbs Sources

  • Foods: Beef liver and other organ meats, broccoli, carrots, cheese, corn flour, dates, eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, pork, potatoes, tomatoes, wheat germ, brewer’s yeast, white meat of poultry, avocados, and whole wheat products.

  • Herbs: Alfalfa, burdock root, catnip, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed, hops, licorice, mullein, nettle, oat straw, parsley, peppermint, raspberry leaves, red clover, rose hips, slippery elm, and yellow dock.

    Health Facts about Vitamin B3 Niacin

    So, why is niacin needed?

  • Promotes healthy skin and nerve function.
  • Works with its cousin's thiamin and riboflavin, other B vitamins to produce energy within cells.
  • Needed for proper circulation.
  • Aids in the metabolism of carbohydrates (to produce energy), fats, and proteins.
  • Aids in the production of hydrochloric acid, needed for proper digestion.
  • Involved in the synthesis of sex hormones.
  • Involved in the normal secretion of bile and stomach fluids.
  • Needed for normal functioning of the brain.

    Therapeutic uses of Vitamin B3 Niacin are as follows:

  • Control blood cholesterol.
  • Fight depression and other mental health conditions.
  • Slow progression of type 1 diabetes.
  • Treat the conditions that contribute to type 2 diabetes.
  • Relieve migraine headaches.
  • Treat tinnitus.
  • Ease symptoms of arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Combat Raynaud's disease and other circulatory problems.

    Other therapeutic uses of supplements include: digestive problems, skin ailments, and fatigue.

    Niacin Deficiency Signs

    Signs and symptoms of a deficiency in niacin may include canker sores, dementia, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, halitosis, headaches, indigestion, insomnia, loss of appetite, low blood sugar, muscular weakness, skin eruptions, irritability, anxiety, loss of memory, confusion, hallucinations, and darkened itchy skin with excessive flaking.

    Vitamin B3 Niacin Side Effects

    Megadoses of vitamin B3 niacin supplements can cause serious side effects, such as abdominal cramping, nausea, and vomiting; lightheadedness; ulcers; and skin rashes, flushing or itching. In addition, liver damage and a rise in blood sugar (glucose) that mimics diabetes are also signs of an overdose.

    Vitamin B3 Niacin Precautions

    The consumption of high dose vitamin B3 supplements should be used with great caution if you suffer from diabetes, glaucoma, gout, liver disease, or peptic ulcers because niacin can also worsen or perhaps even trigger these conditions. In fact, you should check with your physician if you suffer from these conditions before taking any vitamin B3 niacin supplements.

    In addition, anyone taking high doses of nicotinic acid should undergo liver enzyme tests quarterly to monitor for possible liver damage.

    If you suffer from a health condition or are on any prescription medications, consult a physician before taking any dietary supplements.

    Supplemental cautions also apply to women who are pregnant or nursing. It is important that you consult with your physician before taking vitamin B3 supplements.

    About Vitamin B3 Niacin Supplements

    Tips on buying Vitamin B3 Niacin Supplements

    1. Niacin is available in a capsule or tablet in both regular and timed-release forms. Niacin supplements may cause a person to flush. This face flush, which is also known as the "niacin flush" is said to be harmless. It is characterized by tingling, reddening, and possible itchiness.

    Generally speaking, these symptoms last only a few minutes. To overcome the intensity of this niacin flush, doctors recommend the following:

  • Start out at lower doses and gradually increase over time.
  • Take with food and avoid consuming it with warm beverages.

    This face flush is caused by niacin forms. Niacin supplements are available in nicotinic acid (also called nicotinate) and niacinamide forms, each with a specific therapeutic role. In the form of niacinamide, it does not cause flushing, but niacinamide does not have all the same properties as nicotinic acid.

    A newer form called inositol hexaniacinate, a compound of niacin and inositol (another B-family vitamin) is now available. In general, niacin in the form of inositol hexaniacinate and niacinamide tends to cause fewer side effects than nicotinic acid. However, if you're contemplating using niacin for therapeutic reasons (therapeutic dosages), consult a physician for supervision.

    2. Niacin interacts with other B vitamins and it even enhances the utilization of zinc and iron. It's important to note that the B vitamins work together as a team. Therefore, a deficiency in one often indicates a deficiency in another.

    In addition, taking any one of the B complex vitamins for a long period of time can result in an imbalance of other important B vitamins. For this reason, it is often recommended that vitamin B3 niacin be taken as part of a B-complex supplement or multivitamin.

    However, we believe that it's best to take the B-complex family as part of a comprehensive scientifically balanced formula such as a comprehensive multivitamin and mineral supplement since most nutrition oriented physicians recommend, at the very least, a high-quality multi-vitamin and mineral supplement daily.

    Moreover, it's better biochemically to have the B complex vitamins as part of a multivitamin and mineral supplement. The RDA for niacin is 14 mg for women and 16 mg for men

    Exception: If your physician has recommended higher doses of vitamin B3 niacin for therapeutic purposes.

    3. Because vitamins, minerals, and other vital nutrients work in balance and synergistically with one another, it is important that consumers select a comprehensive supplement that is scientifically formulated by a top notch scientist.

    4. Take time to read the product data sheet. Does the product contain artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, yeast, gluten, sucrose or dextrose?

    5. Dietary supplements are not strictly regulated in the U.S. and, as such, manufacturers do not have to guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or even the true content of their products. In fact, the latest statistic is that 1 in 5 products will not have the ingredients proclaimed on the label or it harbors very harmful contaminates.

    Therefore, we recommend that you select a supplement from only from pharmaceutical GMP compliant manufacturers, which adhere to the most stringent manufacturing standards.

    Always check with a physician before taking any dietary supplements.

    We hope this Vitamin B3 Niacin web-page was useful to you!

    To Your Health!

    The Editors


    Much more than Vitamin B3 Niacin can be found at our Vitamin Information Center

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