Niacin, otherwise known as Nicotinic Acid and is a B vitamin. It is essential to human health. Niacin helps your body to attain prime health. There is strong evidence that the required amount of niacin in the body will maintain a normal cholesterol level. Niacin has been prescribed as a cholesterol treatment to help lower it in some patients. However, niacin must be taken in high doses and this could cause some risks to patients. Some of the problems include issues like liver damage or gastro-intestinal issues.
1. Treatment
On the bright side, niacin is known to help patients with atherosclerosis, or the hardening of the arteries. For patients who have previously had one heart attack, taking niacin can significantly reduce the chances of a second one.
2. Prevention
Some studies have shown that Niacin has helped reduce the onset of Alzheimer’s, cataracts and osteoarthritis. The dosage of Niacin depends on the prescribed use. The recommended daily requirement is as follows:
- Children should have 2-16 milligrams daily.
- Men should take 16 milligrams daily.
- Women should have 14 milligrams daily.
- Pregnant women should take 18 milligrams.
- Nursing mothers should have 17 milligrams a day.
- The maximum amount for any adult, no matter what age is no higher than 35 milligrams.
3. Side Effects
Insufficient amounts of niacin in the human body can cause nausea, anemia, headaches and fatigue. Niacin deficiency is not often found in developed countries, but most often in the under developed regions, and those with severe poverty. Chronic alcoholics oftentimes have a Niacin deficiency. A mild form of Niacin deficiency is shown to slow the metabolism and exhibit an intolerance to hot or cold temperatures.
Severe deficiency causes pellagra. Subjects with pellagra have diarrhea, dermatitis and dementia. Lesions, thickening of the skin and digestive issues can lead to further ailments, which can lead to death.
4. Natural Consumption
Psychologically, a deficiency in niacin can cause poor concentration, mood swings and irritability, fatigue and depression. Niacin is found in many common foods, which allow people to obtain the daily requirement for optimal health. Foods that contain Niacin are:
- Liver, heart and kidney meats from animals.
- Chicken and chicken breast meat.
- Beef.
- Fish, tuna, halibut and salmon.
- Eggs.
- Venison.
- Avocados.
- Tomatoes.
- Broccoli.
- Carrots.
- Sweet Potatoes.
- Leafy vegetables.
- Asparagus.
Seeds and fungi, such as mushrooms, also contain niacin. Niacin, which again is a B vitamin, has long been known to help raise the HDL, or good cholesterol in subjects. The good cholesterol is what removes the LDL, or bad cholesterol form the bloodstream. Niacin helps turn the food you consume into energy. Niacin also helps the digestive system, nervous system and can also benefit the eyes, hair and skin when taken in proper amounts. Most people do consume enough Niacin in the foods they eat daily, but many often take a multi vitamin or supplement also.