Niacin – action, indications for supplementation, dosage. How does vitamin B3 affect health?

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Niacin, vitamin PP, nicotinic acid are – without getting involved in chemical complexities – the names for vitamin B3. What is its operation and the effects of a deficiency? When to use supplementation? Learn about the properties of niacin.

What is niacin?

Niacin is one of the eight B vitamins and is also called vitamin B3.

There are two main chemical forms of niacin:

1. nicotinic acid
2. niacinamide (sometimes called nicotinamide)

Both forms are found in foods as well as supplements.

The key role of niacin in our body is the synthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) coenzymes, which are involved in over 400 biochemical reactions in the body, mainly related to obtaining energy from the food we eat.

Niacin is soluble in water, so the body does not store it. It also means that the body can excrete excess niacin in the urine if it is no longer needed. Our body gets niacin with food, but interestingly, it also makes small amounts of it from the amino acid tryptophan, which can be found in protein sources such as turkey and other animal foods.

Niacin – properties

Niacin is a vitamin synthesized by the body. However, in many cases (as described below), its amount is insufficient for the proper functioning of the body. Therefore, it is recommended to use it in tablets.

What is the role of niacin in the body? First of all, it contributes to the proper functioning of the brain and peripheral nervous system. In addition, it is responsible for the synthesis of sex hormones, insulin, cortisol and thyroxine.

Another property of niacin is the ability to strengthen immune cells to kill Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which could support antibiotic therapy (hypothesis of American scientists). However, there is no direct evidence from clinical trials to support this effect.

On the other hand, Swiss researchers have noticed that taking niacin improves mood and self-confidence, as well as alleviates anxiety. For this reason, niacin is recommended in the treatment of mental illness.

See also: B vitamins – properties. What products are they in?

These are the most common:

1. people who are malnourished due to the use of irrational (very low-calorie or undifferentiated) diets,
2. sick and elderly people who consume small amounts of food,
3. alcohol abusers,
4. people with intestinal malabsorption,
5. people abusing sugar in the diet,
6. patients suffering from the malabsorption of intestinal and renal tryptophan,
7. patients with carcinoid tumors (a type of cancer).

At Medonet Market you can buy a comprehensive set of B vitamins – N ° 1 Complex B at an attractive price. Click today and order support for the whole organism.

Symptoms of niacin deficiency include:

1. redness and roughness of the skin in exposed areas, as well as areas exposed to abrasions and pressure,
2. blisters on the skin that break into ulcers when ruptured,
3. dark brown spots – mainly of the face, neck and hands,
4. exfoliation of the epidermis,
5. skin thickening,
6. inflammation of the mouth and tongue,
7. diarrhea,
8. vomiting,
9. Headache,
10. loss of appetite
11. nerve inflammation, nervous system disorders,
12. mental disorders (apathy or increased activity, amnesia, anxiety, delirium, impaired concentration, irritability and irritation, depression).

Niacin deficiency is very rare in most western countries. The most at risk are those who are malnourished – which may be due to HIV / AIDS, anorexia nervosa, liver failure, alcohol abuse or other medical problems, or poverty.

You will find niacin in preparations that include support beauty. Try the Herbal Beauty Set with Tea Fix for hair, skin and nails. just niacin. We also recommend the Niacin Flush-free 250mg supplement, which is available on Medonet Market.

Also read: Vitamin B deficiency – health effects, symptoms

Effects of Niacin Deficiency

The most serious effect of a severe niacin deficiency is pellagra. Its characteristic symptoms are: dermatitis, diarrhea and dementia. Untreated pellagra causes death. Fortunately, it is a very rare disease, occurring mainly in those parts of the world where there is hunger and malnutrition. Small deficiencies, on the other hand, result in a slower metabolism, which means that the patient constantly feels cold.

Prophylactically, it is worth reaching for High Five B-Complex Viridian – a dietary supplement that provides not only vitamin B3, but also other B vitamins. We also recommend XeniVIT Vitamin B Complex Premium Xenico available in packages that contain as many as 90 capsules tailored even to the needs vegans.

Read: Avitaminosis – causes, symptoms, treatment, prevention

Dosage of niacin tablets

How to dose niacin? The leaflet gives recommendations. Please follow them. Always speak with your doctor before taking a supplement to make sure the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs. Some supplements contain as much as 500 mg per serving, which is more than the recommended daily intake of niacin. Therefore, it is important to discuss supplementation with your doctor. Professionals can help determine if niacin supplements make sense in our situation and can help you find the right formula and dosage.

Even though excess niacin is excreted in the urine, hypervitaminosis (excess) can occur. It is therefore not advisable to exceed the recommended dose. Are Niacin Harmful for Pregnant Women? Doctors’ opinions should be taken into account, because long-term use of niacin in a dose of 0,5 g can be dangerous. Most healthy people get enough niacin in their diets, so additional supplementation is usually not needed.

Recommended daily intake

1. children: from 1 to 3 years of age – 6 mg; from 4 to 6 years of age – 8 mg; from 7 to 9 years of age – 12 mg
2. boys: from 10 to 12 years of age – 12 mg; from 13 to 18 years of age – 16 mg
3. girls: from 10 to 12 years of age – 12 mg; from 13 to 18 years of age – 14 mg
4. men: 16 mg
5. women: 14 mg
6. pregnant women: 18 mg
7. nursing women: 17 mg

You can also buy Vitamin B Complex Health Labs – a complex of B vitamins. One capsule once a day is enough to replenish the deficiencies of B vitamins in your body.

Your doctor may advise you to take niacin if you have a medical condition or are deficient in this vitamin. However, taking a supplement like niacin can have potential side effects.

The most common side effect of niacin supplementation is reddening of the skin (on the face, arms, and chest). You may also feel warm, tingling, or itchy.

In addition to redness, other symptoms may include:

1. Headache,
2. dizziness,
3. rash
4. drop in blood pressure.

The side effects of nicotinic acid can be unpleasant. However, they tend to go away after a few weeks. In the meantime, there are ways to reduce them, including avoiding alcohol, splitting the dose into multiple meals, or for those being treated with aspirin, taking an aspirin dose half an hour before niacin.

Serious side effects are most often associated with high doses of niacin (more than 1 gram per day). These side effects include:

1. hypotension,
2. tiredness,
3. high blood sugar
4. nausea,
5. heartburn
6. abdominal pain,
7. vision changes.

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of these side effects.

Taking niacin in doses exceeding 3 g per day is especially dangerous. There is then a risk of gout and permanent liver damage.

See also: How to recognize an allergic rash? Causes, symptoms and treatment of skin allergies

Niacin – Health Benefits

As already mentioned, niacin is converted in the body into a coenzyme called nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). There are over 400 enzymes in the body that require NAD to perform functions such as generating energy, maintaining healthy genes, cell communication, and protecting cells against free radicals.

Additionally, some people take niacin for the benefits of certain medical conditions, including heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. However, there is limited evidence to support niacin in these uses.

Niacin and heart disease

Niacin is known to reduce the levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL, or “bad cholesterol”), triglycerides (fat found in the blood), and lipoproteins (particles that carry cholesterol in the blood). Therefore, some studies have investigated its use in treating and preventing heart disease.

A 2017 review of randomized controlled trials published in Cochrane investigated niacin in the prevention of cardiovascular events. The review included 23 studies with 39195 participants with an average treatment duration of 11,5 months and a median dose of 2 grams (g) per day. In this review, the researchers concluded that niacin did not reduce overall heart-related or non-cardiac mortality. In addition, it did not reduce the number of fatal or non-fatal myocardial infarctions (heart attacks) or strokes.

Similarly, a 2018 meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, including 29 participants, looked at the supplement’s effects on preventing cardiovascular disease. Compared to the control groups that received only statins (prescription drugs to improve cholesterol), the groups that received 195-1 grams of niacin in addition to statins had a 3% greater all-cause mortality.

The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) do not recommend the use of niacin to prevent or treat heart disease, especially in people taking statins. However, healthcare professionals sometimes prescribe niacin for people who cannot tolerate statins.

Also read: Cardiologists explain: these symptoms predict a heart attack. They even appear many months earlier

Niacin and Alzheimer’s disease

Niacin is associated with improved cognitive ability and a reduction in cognitive decline. That’s why some studies have looked at whether niacin can prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

In a 2020 study published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia, researchers tested whether niacin has therapeutic potential in Alzheimer’s disease. In the study, mice received 100 mg of niacin per kilogram of body weight for 30 days. After the therapy, scientists analyzed the brains of the mice and found that niacin has a protective effect on brain cells. Since scientists have conducted this animal study, it is not known if they could replicate these results in humans. That is why the results warrant further research.

Another study, published in Science Translational Medicine in 2022, assessed whether niacin might influence the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers looked at how niacin affects diseased brains in mice. Compared to the control group, mice that received niacin had fewer plaques and better cognition after treatment. Scientists have conducted these animal studies again, and it is therefore uncertain whether these results can work for humans.

See also: How does the head get sick? Serious diseases that can lead to death

Niacin and blood pressure

The role of niacin in energy production and antioxidant / anti-inflammatory properties has prompted some researchers to assess whether it may help prevent hypertension.

A 2021 JAMA study looked at dietary niacin and newly diagnosed high blood pressure in Chinese adults. A nationwide cohort study included data from 12 Chinese adults. The researchers measured the participants’ dietary niacin intake over three consecutive 243-hour periods. Participants’ mean consumption was 24 mg per day (mg / d). At a median of six years of follow-up, 14,8 participants developed hypertension. The researchers found that those who consumed less than 4306 mg / day had a 15,6% reduction in newly-emerging high blood pressure for every 1 mg / day increase in dietary niacin. However, in those whose intake exceeded 2 mg / d, there was a 15,6% increase in the new onset of hypertension.

These results produced a J-shaped association (one that descends and then grows sharply). The turning point was 15,6 mg / d with the lowest risk between 14,3 and 16,7 mg / d.

Niacin and diabetes

Niacin is known to lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Since people with diabetes tend to have high blood fat levels, researchers investigated whether niacin could affect type 2 diabetes.

A 2014 Clinical Nutrition study assessed the effects of niacin on lipids and glucose (blood sugar) in people with type 2 diabetes. A meta-analysis found that niacin significantly improved lipid abnormalities. However, it also increased the glucose levels significantly. A 2020 study published in Medicine looked at the effectiveness of niacin supplementation in people with type 2 diabetes. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials with 2110 participants showed a reduction in bad cholesterol levels. However, there was no significant effect on the plasma glucose level.

There is currently insufficient evidence to support niacin in the treatment of diabetes. In fact, it can increase your risk of developing diabetes as it can increase your glucose levels.

Also check: The symptoms of diabetes are seen in the mouth. Two alarm signals

Niacin improves skin health

According to the results of a study published in Experimental Dermatology in 2019, niacin helps protect skin cells from sun damage, whether it’s taken orally or used as a moisturizer. Therefore, niacin is often found in cosmetics, e.g. in the Double Action Serum for mature skin, which can be purchased at a favorable price at Medonet Market.

It can also help prevent certain types of skin cancer. One high-quality study (published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2015) of over 300 people at high risk of skin cancer found that taking 500 mg of nicotinamide twice daily reduced the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer compared to the group. control.

In addition to the potential health benefits mentioned above, some people use niacin to deal with migraines, skin health, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Niacin – precautions

Niacin can interact with some medications, including those used to treat tuberculosis and diabetes. In addition, research suggests that taking statins may be risky. So, if you are taking medication, it is advisable to discuss niacin supplementation with your doctor first.

It is imperative to read the ingredient list carefully to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is contained. Additionally, it’s a good idea to read the supplement’s label with your doctor to discuss any potential interactions with food, other supplements, and medications.

Niacin – sources

Niacin is available in animal foods, plant-based foods, and grains. Good food sources of niacin include:

1. meat (such as beef, chicken, and turkey)
2. fish (such as salmon and tuna)
3. milk and yogurt,
4. eggs,
5. vegetables (such as potatoes, pumpkins, broccoli, tomatoes, spinach, and onions)
6. fruits (such as bananas and apples)
7. legumes (such as edamame, tofu, and lentils)
8. fortified cereal
9. grains (such as rice, whole grain bread, and bulgar).

If your doctor says we need more niacin, we may need to take a supplement. Niacin supplements are available in several different forms. Each form can affect our body differently.