Also indexed as: Inositol Hexaniacinate, Niacin, Niacinamide, Nicotinamide, Nicotinic Acid
What does it do? The body uses vitamin B3 in the process of releasing energy from carbohydrates. It is needed to form fat from carbohydrates and to process alcohol. The niacin form of vitamin B3 also regulates cholesterol, though niacinamide does not.
Vitamin B3 comes in two basic forms-niacin (also called nicotinic acid) and niacinamide (also called nicotinamide). A variation on niacin, called inositol hexaniacinate, is also available in supplements. Since it has not been linked with any of the usual niacin toxicity in scientific research, some doctors recommend inositol hexaniacinate for people who need large amounts of niacin.
Where is it found? The best food sources of vitamin B3 are peanuts, brewer's yeast, fish, and meat. Some vitamin B3 is also found in whole grains.
Vitamin B3 has been used in connection with the following conditions:
- Acne
- High cholesterol
- High triglycerides
- Intermittent claudication
- Osteoarthritis
- Dysmenorrhea
- High cholesterol
- High triglycerides
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Raynaud's disease
- Schizophrenia
- Alcohol withdrawal support
- Anxiety
- Cataracts
- Dermatitis herpetiformis
- Diabetes
- HIV support
- Hypoglycemia
- Hypothyroidism (niacin)
- Multiple sclerosis (niacin)
- Photosensitivity
- Tardive dyskinesia
Who is likely to be deficient? Pellagra, the disease caused by a vitamin B3 deficiency, is rare in Western societies. Symptoms include loss of appetite, skin rash, diarrhea, mental changes, beefy tongue, and digestive and emotional disturbance.
How much is usually taken? In part because it is added to white flour, most people generally get enough vitamin B3 from their diets to prevent a deficiency. However, 10-25 mg of the vitamin can be taken as part of a B-complex or multivitamin supplement. Larger amounts are used for the treatment of various health conditions.
Are there any side effects or interactions? Niacinamide is almost always safe to take, though rare liver problems have occurred at amounts in excess of 1,000 mg per day. Niacin, in amounts as low as 50-100 mg, may cause flushing, headache, and stomachache in some people. Doctors sometimes prescribe very high amounts of niacin (as much as 3,000 mg per day or more) for certain health problems. These large amounts can cause liver damage, diabetes, gastritis, damage to eyes. All the problem caused by Niacin will release itself in certain time.
