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Health Benefits of Vitamin B3 or Niacin
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Health benefits of niacin include maintaining good blood circulation, healthy robust skin condition, and normal functioning of brain, boosting memory power, aiding the digestive tract to absorb sufficient carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, relaxing effect on arthritis condition and also reducing schizophrenia state. The most important benefits of niacin or vitamin B3 is lowering high cholesterol levels and controlling it.

Vitamin B3 also known as Niacin does the work of energy release into the body cells. Niacin is essentially used to lower high cholesterol levels. You may get Vitamin B3 in medical stores but, it is always sensible to buy niacin on doctor’s advice. Vitamin B3 and its subsequent forms such as niacin is popularly a therapeutic vitamin used to relive many bodily ailments. Niacin is also used to treat respiratory or vascular disorders, as an effective dietary supplement and for treating pellagra along with Lovastatin.

But all these information gives a mere head view. Vitamin B3 has numerous health benefits, which mankind has slowly discovered over span of many years. Niacin mainly comes in 3 types or forms-nicotinic acid and Niacinamide, Inositol Hexaniacinate for aiding several people in the form of supplement tablets or doses. Nicotinic acid helps reduce high blood cholesterol levels, whereas Niacinamide may be found in nutritional supplements.

Some of the beneficial properties are given below:

  • Digestion: As a family of B-complex vitamins, niacin aids in normal functioning of the human digestive system, promoting healthy appetite, good nerves and a glowing skin.
  • Energy: Vitamin B3 performs the important function of converting proteins, carbohydrates and fats into energy.
  • Cholesterol: Intake of large quantity of niacin such as 1100 or more milligrams in a day has been proven to considerably reduce the bad cholesterol LDL and raising the good cholesterol HDL for preventing the thickening of artery walls.
  • Water-soluble: Niacin is a water-soluble vitamin that can travel through the human blood stream and body has the option to discharge excess vitamins through the process of urination. Therefore, such vitamins may be administered to human beings through food and liquid, as our body does need a constant supply.
  • Foodstuff: Vitamin B3 may be found in meat, turkey, tuna fish, eggs, poultry products, curds, brewer’s yeasts, peanuts, legumes, potatoes, cheese, brown rice, oats, barley, wheat flakes and milk. Foodstuffs like bread and cereals are also rich in niacin. Even tryptophan rich foods like yoghurt and eggs may boost niacin levels.
  • Daily Dosages: Ideally women should have at least 15mg to 18mg in a day. It is extremely beneficial for women, who are on pills. Even those who occasionally use sleeping pills may have a vitamin B3 deficiency. Men should consume 15mg to 19 mg every day, whereas children should have 9mg to 13mg dosage of vitamin B3 each day.
  • Pellagra: People with weak muscles, indigestion problems, skin irritations or pellagra may have severe vitamin B3 deficiency. Such people need to have an increased dosage of vitamin B3 supplements.
  • Sex: Niacin helps in making sex related hormones for people having sex problems.
  • Mental Health: Even mental derangement and associated problems may be cured with administration of niacin supplements or medical drugs.
  • Diabetes: Niacin is known to treat diabetes and high blood sugar levels. Most of diabetic patients have been able to effectively control HBA1C level with help of niacin.

Also it is rare to have a niacin deficiency, modern human society may actually benefit from supplementary forms of niacin to treat various body ailments. All three forms of niacin may have different effects on human body. Niacinamide has prominent anti-inflammatory contents, whereas Nicotinic acid & Inositol hexaniacinate may affect the blood circulation levels.

You may use niacin or vitamin B3 supplements with regular meals or even liquids. Niacin may have a drugging effect when taken in very high dosages. But, it is best to consult the doctor before taking a drug dose.

This article was contributed by Seema Adnani

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eva  - Niacin 2010-02-26 01:01:50
Niacin reading. good for memory
Just me  - heat rash 2010-01-29 21:15:37
Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology said that our human fat tissue collects harmful radiation over time, and Nicotinic Acid, in particular, causes the body to release the radiatiion resulting in the flushing "sunburn" reactions. Lower your dose until the reactions subside somewhat BUT the reaction is evidence of radiation poisoning and you should continue with the nicotinic acid until your reactions ceases altogether.
Elsie  - Addtl Info 2009-07-01 06:52:06
I have also taken niacin to keep my blood healthy, I still get the hot side affects but I understand eventually your not supposed to feel it. I also take acidophilus 3.4 billion live cultures(found at local health food store in fridge) which has definately helped keep me regular. I've noticed a great improvement on mood swings,have more energy, calmer to things that would normally have set me off. I'm always looking for natural approach to medical conditions, keep comments coming.
cstar4004  - More information 2009-03-30 20:09:22
I agree that Niacin is very important and beneficial,however, I feel you left out important facts such as the side effects. When niacin is taken in high doses on an empty stomach, side effects can include flushing, reddening, or irritation of the skin. Consumers may feel as if they have sunburn on every part of the body. It can also be accompanied with severe itching and rashes, and may result in a slight increase in body temperature.
Starlett Craig  - consumer 2008-09-16 16:02:08
Excellent article. I am searching for references to curing pschosis that is associated with schizoaffective disorder.
Also looking for ways to cure depression.
Rex Mirfin  - depression 2009-07-04 06:55:00
probably you know this already but ST.JOHNS WORT also known as HYPERICUM is an excellent natural cure for depression. Niacin also helps if you don not overdose- I find Niacin is a great natural tranquiliser.
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