Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is an important nutrient. In fact, every part of your body needs it to function properly. This article reviews: what niacin is
how it works
its benefits
how to know if you should supplement with it Share on Pinterest Anjelika Gretskaia/Getty Images.
What Is Niacin?
Niacin is one of the eight B vitamins, and it’s also called vitamin B3 This also means that your body can excrete excess amounts of the vitamin through urine if they are not needed Summary Niacin is one of eight water-soluble B vitamins.
Its key role is in the formation of NAD and NADP, which help your body process components from food into usable energy.
Why Do People Take Niacin?
As a cholesterol treatment, there are good studies showing that niacin can boost levels of good HDL cholesterol and lower triglycerides. However, niacin is only effective as a cholesterol treatment at fairly high doses.
Instead, get advice from your health care provider, who can prescribe FDA-approved doses of niacin instead if recommended.
Deficiency Symptoms
The condition can be fatal. Factors that can lead to low levels of B-3 include: having a diet low in tryptophans or a condition that reduces the body’s ability to convert tryptophan to niacin, such as Hartnup disease or carcinoid syndrome
undernutrition, for example, due to alcohol use disorder, anorexia, and inflammatory bowel disease
a low intake of vitamin B-2, B-6, or iron, as this can reduce the amount of tryptophan that converts to niacin Click here to find out more about vitamin B-3 deficiency.
Uses In Medicine
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Dietary Supplement Label Database recommend 16 milligrams (mg) a day of vitamin B-3 for anyone of 4 years of age or over who is consuming a 2,000-calorie diet. On this basis, those who eat a well-balanced diet will tend to consume enough niacin in their food. Vitamin B supplements are available to purchase online, but people should check first with a doctor to make sure they are safe to take.