There are many benefits of vitamin B3
that has been discovered through the years. Vitamin B3 and its many forms:
niacin, niacinamide and inositol hexaniacinate has been used for many years now
as a therapeutic vitamin to relieve quite a number of conditions.
1.
Some Facts about Vitamin B3
What is
vitamin B3 or niacin all about anyway? Obviously, vitamin B3 is one of the water-soluble B vitamins. It is needed by the body to perform various
physiological and enzymatic functions. The body is actually able to synthesize
this vitamin (natural niacin form) from the amino acid tryptophan.
2.
Benefits of Vitamin B3
Vitamin
B3 or niacin is very important in maintaining healthy skin and proper blood
circulation. It also has significant effects in maintaining normal nerve and
brain functions, enhancing memory, as well as in the proper digestion and
absorption of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. The most renowned of all the
benefits of vitamin B3 is its significant effect in lowering and controlling
cholesterol levels. In fact, there are now a good number of people who
use niacin to lower cholesterol . The other benefits of niacin ranges from its relieving effect on
schizophrenia to its soothing effect on arthritis, and almost everything else
in between.
3.
Sources of Vitamin B3
Today, vitamin B3 deficiency is
rather uncommon because it is present in many natural food sources. Foods
containing vitamin B3 include protein sources such as red meat, fish, nuts and
poultry. Other foods rich in vitamin B3 are pasta and potatoes, as well as
tryptophan sources such as eggs and dairy foods are also recommended sources of
niacin.
4.
Vitamin B3 Side Effects
As
always, one of the main concerns in taking any supplement is the possible side
effect that it may bring. Vitamin B-3 generally causes your capillaries to
dilate such that all those who take increased dosage can experience what is
called the niacin flush. At certain dosage levels, this dilation can lead to redness,
to even heat and itching. This flushing usually passes after about half an
hour. Generally, niacin supplements are safe to take at moderate dosages.
Serious side effects only occur with intake of megadoses of the
supplement.
5.
Vitamin B3 Overdose
Getting
too much niacin can lead to many complications. "Too much" in this
case means taking more than 10 grams per day. Serious side effects can include
nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, lightheadedness, and ulcers. Of course,
these symptoms go side by side with skin rashes, flushing and/or itching.
6.
Vitamin B3 Toxicity
There have been no
reports of vitamin b3 toxicity in the sense that there has been no one who has
reportedly died from niacin overdose. However, liver damage can be likely with
long-term use of niacin supplements. In general, niacin supplements in the form
of inositol
hexanicotinate and niacinamide have been seen to cause fewer
side effects than that of regular nicotinic acid form.
The benefits of vitamin B3 are countless. This explains its popularity as a
therapeutic vitamin to treat a variety of conditions. However, as always, it is
best to consult your doctor as to the proper dosage and administration of the
supplement.
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