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What Benefits Vitamin B3 (or Niacin) Have For Your Health

 

Role of Vitamin B3

Vitamin B3 is also known as nicotinic acid, niacin, and niacinamide, and it is is one of the vitamins that make up the the Vitamin B complex, which serves many vital purposes in the functioning of the body and the mind.

Vitamin B3 works in conjunction with the other B vitamins to convert food to energy. It also helps to regulate the appetite, as well as having an important role in the digestive system. Vitamin B3's main tasks within the digestive system concern the control of the levels at which bile and other stomach fluids are secreted.

Vitamin B3 has some other important contributions in the health of the body. It plays an essential role in the respiration of the cells, and it is also important in keeping the nervous system healthy, and in the production of reproductive hormones. Vitamin B3 is also key to the health of the body’s largest organ – the skin. 

Vitamin B3 also has an important role in a person's mental health. Recent research has made some fascinating connections between the use of Vitamin B3 supplements and the production of serotonin. By using the Vitamin B3 supplements, L-Tryptophan then does not have to be consumed by the body in the production of niacin. This has the effect of freeing the L-Tryptophan to be taken to the nervous system, where it is processed into 5-http. the 5-http then leads to the production of serotonin, a substance which is important for mood and feelings of well-being. An imbalance of Serotonin has been shown to be associated with anxiety and depression.

Medical Conditions Caused By Vitamin B3 Deficiency

Vitamin B3 is a water soluble vitamin This means that the B3 is washed out of the body via the urine, and therefore the body has to renew its supply of this vital nutrient on a daily basis. Deficiencies of vitamin B3 can have serious health side effects for both the body and the mind. 

Physical symptoms of a niacin deficiency can include muscular weakness and a lack of muscular control, particularly in the larger muscles masses, such as the leg muscles. Other physical symptoms are open sores on the skin and in the mouth, a swollen tongue and chronic bad breathe, loss of appetite, chronic diarrhea, joint pain, low blood sugar and headaches. It can also cause the disease pellagra, which is revealed by such symptoms as severe dermatitis, diarrhea and dementia. Mental symptoms of a serious deficiency can include depression, fatigue, and insomnia. The insomnia makes all of the other symptoms, physical and mental, that much more difficult to bear.

Dietary supplements are a safe and effective way to be sure that you meet the recommended daily requirements of B3 in your diet. However, it is important to use dietary supplements according to the standard dose levels, as taking too much niacin can cause other health problems, some serious in nature. There are cases in which higher than standard does may be recommended, such as to combat symptoms that have been brought about by deficiencies. However, taking higher doses than the standard levels should only be done when under the care of a qualified healthcare professional. Dietary supplements, like all medications, should always be kept out of the reach of children.

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