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“Vitamin B3 (niacin) facts”
Interesting facts about vitamin B3 (niacin):
Vitamin B3 (niacin) is a water-soluble vitamin, which means that it is easily absorbed in the body (as most of the body is made of water and so are most of the foods eaten), but some of it may be lost in cooking.
Vitamin B3 (niacin) comes in two forms - niacin (or nicotinic acid) and niacinamide. The body can create niacinamide from the amino acid tryptophan, but the body's conversion is only a small part of the vitamin B3 the body uses. Niacin is also converted into niacinamide through normal metabolism.
Vitamin B3 (niacin) is used by the body to produce energy from the foods that are eaten, especially from foods rich in carbohydrates, vitamin B3 (niacin) helps to turn the carbohydrates into glucose to be used for energy all through the body. In this way, vitamin B3 (niacin) helps to maintain correct blood glucose levels by converting enough carbohydrates into glucose.
Vitamin B3 (niacin) is necessary to help metabolise not just carbohydrates but fats too. It is required to turn these fats into energy for use by the body.
Numerous studies have shown that vitamin B3 (niacin) is involved in moving fats out of the body and lowering blood cholesterol levels. Studies have shown that vitamin B3 (niacin) is just as (and in some cases more) effective than the common medications used to lower blood levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol. The studies also showed that vitamin B3 (niacin) also increased blood levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol levels. Vitamin B3 (niacin) is especially useful in decreasing blood triglyceride levels in people that are genetically predisposed to having higher than normal levels.
Studies have also shown that the fat metabolism activity of vitamin B3 (niacin) assists with reducing blood triglyceride (fat) levels back to normal levels, so that there is less risk of fatty plaques clotting arteries and causing high risk for heart attack and stroke.
Vitamin B3 (niacin) has beneficial effects on the heart, as it helps to relax and widen blood vessels so that there is normal blood flow through them. This effect of Vitamin B3 (niacin) means that it is a vasodilator and could be very useful for people with high blood pressure, as it can be used to reduce their blood pressure levels back to normal. In addition, this vasodilation property of vitamin B3 (niacin) helps the heart by ensuring it is healthy and blood flow is regulated and normal. Vitamin B3 (niacin) also helps to thin the blood and this effect, together with the vasodilation property, it can help to prevent blood clots which can cause heart attack or stroke.
Vitamin B3 (niacin) may help to reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms in people who get intermittent claudation. Intermittent claudation is a problem with circulation and it makes the legs ache and calf muscles cramp when walking. The reason for this is that the leg muscles are not getting enough oxygen due to poor blood circulation. Vitamin B3 (niacin) makes the blood vessels widen, which brings more blood to the legs and helps with normalising blood circulation
Vitamin B3 (niacin) acts as an antioxidant when it is releasing energy from the cells, by removing the free radicals that may be created and ensuring the cells are healthy and functioning correctly without damage.
Many studies have suggested that vitamin B3 (niacin) may be effective in neutralising several different types of carcinogenic substances, preventing them from causing mutation to the cells in the body and causing cancer.
Vitamin B3 (niacin) is needed for a healthy functioning nervous system and brain. Research has shown that when there is a definite vitamin B3 (niacin) deficiency, it results in problems with memory, anxiety, confusion, depression, irritability and mood disorders, which are all related to an unhealthy nervous system.
The beneficial effects that vitaminB3 (niacin) have on the nervous system is one of the reasons why it is often used to treat people with depression and anxiety disorders. Studies confirm that vitaminB3 (niacin) can help to treat people that have depression and anxiety disorder, reducing symptoms and helping these people feel better.
Vitamin B3 (niacin) works very closely with two B vitamins - vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) - to ensure the good health of the digestive and nervous systems as well as the skin.
Vitamin B3 (niacin) is one of the heat-resistant vitamins, which means it does not get destroyed when food is cooked, but since it is a water-soluble vitamin, it does dissolve in water, so when foods rich in vitamin B3 (niacin) are cooked, the water should not be thrown away.
Disclaimer: The advice on this site should be viewed as a general guideline only and it should not replace the advice of a medical professional. Always consult your medical or health care provider to get the advice and care for your particular and individual health, nutrition, diet and fitness circumstances.