Vitamin B3, also called niacin and nicotinic acid, is a water-soluble
B vitamin. As with the rest of the B-vitamin family, niacin is involved
in many aspects of energy metabolism and nervous system function. It plays
a role in over 200 enzyme systems that release energy from carbohydrates
and fats, metabolize proteins, make certain hormones, and assist in the
formation of red blood cells, and perform many other functions. Niacin
is thought to lower cholesterol and triglycerides; prevent and treat diabetes
(as niacinamide); improve circulation (as inositol hexaniacinate); and
relieve arthritis (as niacinamide).
A frank niacin deficiency causes pellagra, a condition that affects the
skin and GI tract (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and swollen tongue) and
nervous system, (headache, depression, impaired memory, hallucinations
and dementia). Niacinamide (nicotinamide) is the biologically active form
of niacin. It is the preferred form of supplementation because it lacks
the flushing effects of niacin. However, the flushing action may be necessary
for its action of lowering cholesterol.
In the mid-1950s, research showed that that high doses of niacin (as
nicotinic acid) could lower cholesterol levels by a still-unknown mechanism.
The other form of niacin (nicotinamide or niacinamide) does not provide
a cholesterol-lowering effect, but it may help prevent the development
of childhood diabetes (Type I) in high-risk children. Cholesterol and
triglyceride levels, heart attacks and strokes are all significantly reduced
with niacin therapy (sometimes used alone and sometimes used along with
other drug therapy). Overall, the beneficial use of niacin (nicotinic
acid, but not niacinamide) to prevent or treat elevated blood lipids and
reduce cardiovascular disease risk is well documented. Nicotinic acid
consistently lowers total and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol (by
about 15-20%) and triglycerides (by 10-25%), while increasing levels of
HDL (“good”) cholesterol (by 15-25%). Unfortunately, the amount
of niacin needed to lower cholesterol levels also tends to result in “niacin
intolerance” in 15-40% of people who try it and the unpleasant side
effect of “skin-flushing” (similar to hot flashes).
Dietary Sources: Rich dietary sources of niacin include
many high-protein foods such as meat, chicken, tuna and other fatty fish,
peanuts, pork and milk.
Dosage: The RDA for niacin is only 13-18 mg. The “cholesterol-lowering”
dose of niacin (as nicotinic acid) is typically in the range of 250-2000mg/day.
Dosing is usually started at the low-end (250mg/day) with increasing doses
of 250mg each week or two until blood lipid levels start to normalize
(or side effects develop).
Side Effects: In the high doses used for controlling
cholesterol levels (anything above 100mg/day), nicotinic acid can cause
skin flushing and itching of the skin as well as headaches and hypotension
(lightheadedness and low blood pressure). The slow-release versions of
niacin supplements for controlling blood lipids have the potential for
causing liver damage (even at “lower” doses of 500mg/day)
– so blood tests to monitor for liver damage are recommended and
slow-release, high-dose niacin supplementation should only be undertaken
on the advice and guidance by a physician.
(Source: www.supplementwatch.com)
The following citations present evidence of ongoing research on niacin
for dyslipidemia and migraine and experimental investigation in cancer,
lung disease, and skin disease. Earlier research with nicotinamide for
the treatment of schizophrenia and mental disorders showed evidence of
great therapeutic value. However, there is very little current research
using in this important non-toxic modality. There is some research in
“nicotinic systems in central nervous systems disease.”
Research Overview
1. Dyslipidemia, alone or in combination with statin drugs – hundreds
of studies are evidenced in the literature.
2. Migraine
3. Skin diseases
4. Oral niacin prevents photocarcinogenesis and photoimmunosuppression
in mice.
5. Niacin attenuates acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide in
the hamster.
6. Early onset juvenile diabetes mellitus controlled with nicotinic acid
therapy.
7. Nicotinamide may extend remission phase in insulin-dependent diabetes.
8. Attenuation of amiodarone-induced lung fibrosis and phospholipidosis
in hamsters by taurine and/or niacin treatment.
9. Improved skin flap survival with nicotinic acid and nicotinamide in
rats.
10. Effects of nicotinate ethyl ester treatment on gingival blood circulation
of experimental gingivitis in monkeys.
11. Nicotinic acid in the treatment of chronic circulatory failure in
patients with ischemic heart disease.
12. Nicotinamide is a potent inhibitor of proinflammatory cytokines.
13. Nicotinic treatment for degenerative neuropsychiatric disorders such
as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
14. Nicotinamide in the treatment of schizophrenia.
Vitamin
B3 Citations (372)
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