Vitamin B3 - Niacin
Niacin was a name coined in Italy in 1771 from their words for skin and rough, which describe the most striking feature -- a roughened, sunburn-like appearance of the skin when exposed to sunlight. The term is used for nicotinic acid and its corresponding amide, nicotinamide/niacinamide, dubbed Vitamin B3. The name was originally proposed to avoid any association with the nicotine in tobacco. Other names for niacin are listed below.
The two forms of niacin, nicotinic acid and niacinamide, have differences. Only nicotinic acid combats high blood fats and dilates the blood vessels. It is slowly being accepted as the preferred treatment for lowering cholesterol levels. It costs about forty times less than the established designer drugs. Nevertheless, it can also produce toxic reactions. Niacinamide does not have these cholesterol-lowering and vasodilating properties, nor does it generate the flushing (particularly in doses of 100 mg. or more or if taken on an empty stomach), itching, burning, or tingling sensation produced by nicotinic acid.
Nicotinic acid was discovered in 1867, but nothing else was done with it for another seventy years. In 1912, it was isolated from rice polishings during a search for a cure for beriberi, but scientists soon lost interest when it did not produce that cure. All the while, people were dying from pellagra, but the two were not associated until later.
With the help of tryptophan, niacin forms NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), which is an enzyme required by the brain to perform several vital tasks. NAD also functions as an oxidizing agent used in processes that burn fuels (glucose and fatty acids) producing energy in cells. In addition, NAD transfers electrons to the mitochondrial electron transport chain, which ultimately reduces oxygen to water.
Niacin is necessary for the manufacture of the hormones cortisone, thyroxine, insulin, and the sex hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. It increases the production of prostaglandins, which are hormone-like chemicals that tissues produce to help control such physiologic processes as blood clotting and inflammation.
The Coronary Project Research Group's major study in 1975 found that niacin not only reduces cholesterol levels but cuts back the likelihood of subsequent heart attacks by almost 30% while increasing HDL ("good" cholesterol). It also found that these same patients who continued with niacin had fewer medical problems later. In fact, those treated with designer drugs did not live longer than those treated with a placebo, but those treated with niacin outlived the other two categories. All this has been known for more than twenty-five years, but, in spite of this, designer drugs are still being pushed as the only answer.
Niacin appears to reduce symptoms of vertigo, as in Ménière's syndrome. It is also known to eliminate bad breath, aid in healing canker sores, and to ease some bouts of diarrhea. Low doses of niacin can relieve migraine headaches. For hypoglycemics, supplements of niacin may help to regulate blood sugar levels. However, large doses can also cause elevated blood sugar levels and jaundice.
Niacin, along with pantothenic acid, is proving helpful in treating arthritis. In fact, the lower the level of these vitamins, the more severe the symptoms of arthritis. Niacin is also used as a detoxifying agent to rid the body of many poisons, which may explain the reduction of some arthritic symptoms.
Amino acid imbalance may play a part in pellegra, which is a severe niacin and tryptophan deficiency. This disorder is more common among people who use corn as their source of protein. Oddly, the people of Mexico and Central and South America do not suffer from this deficiency since they cook their corn in limewater (calcium hydroxide), which releases the protein-bound niacin. In addition, corn protein is deficient in tryptophan needed to synthasize niacin in the body. Corn also has a very high level of leucine in relation to its isoleucine content. Pellagra is common in India among those who eat millet. Millet has a high leucine content. Too much leucine in the diet interferes with numerous biochemical processes, leading to a marked reduction in the final forms of B3 (niacin) leading to pellegra. Niacin is the most common of the "fortified" nutrients in Canada and the United States.
Since pellegra can mimic the symptoms of schizophrenia, the use of niacin to treat schizophrenia and depression is controversial. Some report improvements using mega vitamin therapy, while others obtain little or no results. The American Psychological Association disapproved the use of niacin to treat mental disorders in 1979, and has not changed its mind since.
Another source of niacin, other than meats and enriched cereals, is from the biosynthesis of the amino acid tryptophan. Niacin can be maufactured within the body, but, if there be a deficiency in B1, B2, and B6, it becomes impossible for niacin to be produced from tryptophan. The Rule of Thumb is: 1 mg. of niacin is equal to 60 mg. of dietary tryptophan.
The RDA suggests 19 mg. for men per day and 15 mg. for women who are not pregnant or lactating.
CAUTIONS:
1) Large doses can increase the blood sugar in diabetics; increase risk of gout; and aggravate ulcers.
2) Supplements are not recommended for those suffering from peptic ulcers, colitis, asthma, liver disease, or gout.
3) Excessive use of niacin can cause irregular heart rates, cramps, headaches, and liver inflammation.
4) Using 1000 mg. or more a day requires supervision from a knowledgeable health care practisioner.
5) Time-released niacin preparations, while reducing annoying flushing, may significantly increase liver complications during niacin therapy. They are also the most expensive form.
Summary:
Niacin, or Vitamin B3, exists in two forms that are not quite interchangeable but are simply called Vitamin B3 complex. The term is sometimes incorrectly used to denote pantothenic acid/Vitamin B5.
Other names include: Vitamin B3, niacin, Vitamin PP, Ppfactor, pellagra preventative factor/vitamin, antipellagra factor/vitamin.
Provitamin B3 and B3a are associated with tryptophan.
Vitamin B3a:
Other names include: Vitamin B3, niacin, Vitamin PP, PP factor, pellagra preventative factor/vitamin, antipellagra factor/vitamin, Nicacid, Nicagin, Nicobid, Niconacid, Nico-Span, Nicotene, Nicotinipca, Nicyl, Akotin, Daskil, Tinic, Nicolar, Wampocap.
Its form is nicotinic acid.
Inhibitors are: water, sulfa drugs, alcohol, food processing, sleeping pills, estrogen, sodium nitrate.
Helpers are: Vitamin B complex, Vitamins B1, B2, B5, C, phosphorus.
Deficiency symptoms include: failing vision, hypersensitivity to light, pellagra, skin inflammations and hypersensitivities including skin rashes, cracked and scaly skin, bad breath, tender gums, mouth sores, diarrhea, digestion upsets, ulcers, nausea, decreased appetite, decreased sense of taste, hyperacute sense of smell, fatigue, nervousness, emotional instability, depression, alternating depression and emotional agitation, irritability, apathy, confusion, nervousness, hallucinations, headaches, memory loss, insomnia, muscle weakness, deterioration of amino acid utilization, acne, increased serum cholesterol. Niacin deficiency can also produce a bronzing of the skin, indicating early stages of pellagra.
Toxicity symptoms include: fatigue, nausea, itching, burning sensations, skin quality deteriorates, gout, liver deterioration, headaches, ulcers, decreased blood sugar.
(Note: Use with caution in diabetics, glaucoma, peptic ulcers, decreased liver function, increased blood pressure, and gout.)
Vitamin B3b:
Names include: Vitamin B3, niacinamide, nicotinamide, nicotinic acid amide, Vitamin PP, Benicot, Aminicotin, Vi-Nicotyl, Dipegyl, Nicamindon, Nicotamide, Nicotilamide, Pelonin Amide, Amide PP, Nicofort, Niozymin, Pelmine.
Its form is: niacinamide.
Inhibitors are: water, sulfa drugs, alcohol, food processing, sleeping pills, estrogen.
Helpers are: Vitamin B Complex, Vitamins B1, B2, B5, C, phosphorus.
Deficiency symptoms include: failing vision, hypersensitivity to light, pellagra, bachaches, bad breath, tender gums, diarrhea, digestion upsets, nausea, decreased appetitie, decreased sense of taste, hyperacute sense of smell, fatigue, nervousness, alternating emotional instability and depression, confusion, hallucinations, decreased memory, insomnia, muscle weakness, fatigue, deterioration of amino acid utilization. Such conditions as nausea, fatigue, itching and burning sensations, do not occur as readily as they do with a Vitamin B3a deficiency.
Toxicity symptoms include: skin quality deterioration, gout, liver deterioration, headaches, ulcers, decreased blood sugar. These symptoms do not occur as readily as they do with a Vitamin B3a deficiency.
(Note: Use cautiously with severe diabetes, glaucoma, peptic ulcers, liver deterioration, high blood pressure, and gout. This form does not help skin or liver deteriorations, gout, headaches, ulcers, low blood sugar or decrease blood cholesterol as readily as does Vitamin B3a.)
