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Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B-3, otherwise known as niacin, acts like other B vitamins to
create enzymes that are essential to metabolic cell activity, synthesize
hormones, repair genetic material, and maintain normal functioning of
the nervous system. Great sources of this vitamin may be found in meat,
fish, and whole grains.
How This Vitamin Works in Your Body:
May treat pellagra
Decreases cholesterol and triglycerides in blood
Large doses dilate blood vessels
Handles ear ringing and dizziness
Essential for genetic material repair
Potential reduction in heart attacks, depression, and migraine headaches
Poor digestion could be improved.
The following may benefit from this Vtamin:
Anyone with poor dietary intake
Pregnant or breastfeeding women
Substance abusers
Severe burn or injury patients
Infants with congenital metabolic disorders
Where This Vitamin is Found:
Beef liver
Brewer’s yeast
Chicken, white meat
Dried beans/peas
Fortified cereals
Halibut
Peanut butter
Peanuts
Pork/ham
Potatoes
Salmon
Soybeans
Swordfish
Tuna
Turkey
How to Use:
Available as:
Liquid: the best form due to its high bioavailability and fast
absorption. Always choose liquid as your first choice when supplementing
your diet.
Tablets:
available
Recommended Daily Intakes
Men: 16 mg
Women: 14 mg
Pregnancy: 18 mg
Lactation: 17 mg
Cautions:
Consult your doctor if you have:
Diabetes
Gout
Gallbladder or liver disease
Arterial bleeding
Glaucoma
Over 55:
Individualized doses recommended.
Pregnancy:
Do not use. Fetus may be at risk.
Breastfeeding:
Always consult doctor during lactation. Keep within DRI.
Storage:
Heat and/or moisture may alter the vitamin. Refrigeration is
recommended.
Symptoms of Deficiency:
Symptoms include dermatitis on the hands and face, weakness, loss of
appetite, sore mouth, diarrhea, anxiety, depression, and dementia.
Overdose:
Signs of Overdose:
Signs of an overdose may include body flush, nausea, diarrhea, weakness,
lightheadedness, headache, fainting, high blood sugar, high uric acid,
heart-rhythm disturbances, and jaundice.
Side Effects:
Reaction or effect : What to do
Abdominal pain : Discontinue. Consult doctor immediately.
Urine Darkening : No action needed.
Diarrhea : Discontinue. Refer to your doctor soon.
Headache : Discontinue. Refer to your doctor soon.
Faintness : Discontinue. Refer to your doctor soon.
Feeling hot : No action needed.
Jaundice : Discontinue. Consult doctor immediately.
Dry Skin : Discontinue. Refer to your doctor soon.
Interactions:
Interacts with : Combined effect
Antidiabetics : Reduction in antidiabetic effect.
Beta-adrenergic blockers : Incredibly low blood pressures.
Chenodiol : Reduction in chenodiol effect.
Guanethidine : Raises guanethidine effect.
Isoniazid : Reduction in niacin effect.
Mecamylamine : Incredible reduction in blood pressure.
Pargyline : Incredible reduction in blood pressure.
Ursodiol : Reduction in ursodiol effect.
Tobacco : Reduction in niacin effect.
Alcohol : Incredible reduction in blood pressure.
Acidophilus (Lactobacillus)
Blue-Green Algae (Spirulina,
Spirulina Maxima) Spirulina Platensis
Calcium (Calcium citrate) Calcium
Gluconate)
Choline
Chondroitin Sulfate
Coenzyme Q (CoQ, Ubiquinoe, Coenzyme
Q10)
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
Creatine
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
Desiccated Liver (Dessicated Liver)
Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) Evening
Primrose Oil)
Ginkgo Biloba (Ginkgoaceae)
Ginseng (Asian, American, Korean,
Chinese, Panax, Quinquefolius)
Inositol (Myoinositol)
Iron (Ferrous Sulfate)
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Jojoba (Goatnut, Simmondsia Chinensis)
L-Carnitine
Lecithin (Phosphatidylcholine)
Magnesium
Melatonin
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Para-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA)
Potassium (Potassium Chloride,
Trikates)
Pregnenolone
Royal Jelly
Vitamin B-1 (Thiamine)
Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B-3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B-5 (Pantothenic Acid)
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Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine, pyridoxal
phosphate)
Vitamin B-9 (Folic Acid) Folate,
Pteroyiglutamic Acid) Folacin)
Vitamin B-12 (Cyanocobalamin)
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin D (cholecalciferol, sunshine
vitamin)
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
Vitamin H (Biotin)
Vitamin K (Phytonadione)
Vitamin P (Bioflavonoids,
Phytochemicals) |
Niacin May Lower
Cholesterol Without Affecting Glucose Levels
The B vitamin niacin
(nicotinic acid) is well-known to positively affect cholesterol levels,
particularly by increasing levels of HDL cholesterol, but is not
currently recommended for diabetic patients due to concerns that it
might adversely impact upon control of blood glucose levels.
However, the authors
of a new study note that this recommendation is not based upon adequate
evidence, so they decided to investigate further both the safety and
efficacy of niacin in diabetic patients.
A prospective,
randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 6
clinical centers from August 1993 to December 1995.
A total of 468
participants were studied, including 125 with diabetes, who had
diagnosed peripheral arterial disease.
Participants were
randomly assigned to receive niacin - 3000 mg/d or maximum tolerated
dosage or placebo for up to 60 weeks.
Researchers measured
cholesterol, glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), alanine aminotransferase,
and uric acid levels, in addition to monitoring hypoglycemic drug use;
compliance; and adverse events.
Niacin use had
similar effects on lipid parameters in patients with and without
diabetes such as:
- Increased HDL cholesterol by 29% in both groups
- Decreased triglycerides by 23% and 28%
- Decreased LDL cholesterol by 8% and 9%
However, glucose
levels were modestly increased by niacin by 8.7 and 6.3 mg/dL in
participants with and without diabetes, respectively.
Levels of HbA1c were
unchanged by niacin use in participants with diabetes.
The authors state
that "Our study suggests that lipid-modifying dosages of niacin can be
safely used in patients with diabetes and that niacin therapy may be
considered as an alternative to statin drugs or fibrates for patients
with diabetes in whom these agents are not tolerated or fail to
sufficiently correct hypertriglyceridemia or low HDL-C levels."
JAMA
2000;284:1263-1270
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