What Is Vitamin B3 (Niacin) And Why Should You Use It
What is Vitamin B3?
Vitamin B3 (niacin) is a water-soluble vitamin that occurs in two forms nicotinamide and nicotinic acid. Since it is a water-soluble vitamin, excess of this vitamin is not stored in the body and excreted. Niacin is a highly resistant vitamin to heat and light, and with this feature, it is known as the most durable vitamin. The effects and functions of both forms of niacin in the body are different. These two forms can be found in our foods and supplements. Cellular niacin can be obtained in two different ways. The first way is niacin synthesis from tryptophan, obtained from foods rich in amino acids. The second alternative is niacin, obtained directly from the diet. Niacin is a building block for the production of NAD + (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), which is necessary for the oxidation of glucose and ATP synthesis during mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. So what is vitamin B3? What can happen with vitamin B3 deficiency? What are the benefits of vitamin B3 and in which foods is vitamin B3 available?
Vitamin B3 Deficiency
Studies have shown that micronutrient deficiencies are scientifically linked to a higher risk of overweight/obesity and other dangerous and debilitating diseases. Although vitamin B3 deficiency is rare in developed countries, its deficiency causes serious problems. Both physical and mental problems are common in niacin deficiency. One of the most common problems with deficiency of this vitamin is pellagra disease, and the symptoms seen in this disease are described as 3D (dementia, diarrhea, and dermatitis). Neurological disorders and skin and intestinal problems are also frequently observed. Examples of these include heartburn, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea.
If there is vitamin B3 deficiency in our body, skin problems such as insomnia, weakness, dizziness, dry skin, abnormalities in the digestive system and intestines, depression, and difficulty in concentration can be seen. Considering all these, the symptoms should be evaluated thoroughly, and a treatment method should be applied accordingly.
Although niacin deficiency carries serious risks for our body, as with most nutrients, excess niacin can also cause toxicity in the body. Conditions such as itching, redness, and pain on the skin may indicate that the dose taken is too much. For this reason, the dose to be used should be determined by a specialist, and the treatment should continue to be controlled.
Vitamin B3 Benefits
- One of the most important benefits of niacin is its effect on the cholesterol level in our body. As a result of some studies, it was concluded that vitamin B3 lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) and increases HDL (good cholesterol). In addition to its positive effect on cholesterol, it also reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease with its positive effect on the vessels and reducing inflammation.
- Niacin also plays an important role in the production of some components that play a role in the production of the energy required for our body to function. In other words, it functions as a coenzyme, and our macronutrients are a very important component of our metabolism. One of the other important benefits is that DNA is involved in the construction and repair phase.
- One of the main benefits of niacin is that it leads to certain improvements in the skin. It reduces redness and inflammation and plays an important role in acne treatment.
- Apart from all these, niacin is also a very effective vitamin in treating diabetes. It has an important role in controlling and balancing blood sugar. In addition, the cholesterol problem, which is frequently seen in diabetic patients, is closely related to vitamin B3 in this respect, and the positive effect of vitamin B3 on blood cholesterol provides positive benefits in terms of diabetes.
Which Foods Contain Vitamin B3?
Foods with the highest niacin are meat, fish, turkey, salmon, offal, milk, eggs, legumes, bulgur, hazelnuts, peanuts, walnuts, mushrooms, peas, tahini, and avocados. One of the points that should be considered here is the possibility of niacin deficiency in people who frequently include grains such as corn in their diet and who are poorly fed with protein. This is because niacin can bind to sugar molecules in the form of glycoside, significantly reducing niacin’s absorption. Niacin deficiency and pellagra disease are frequently observed in individuals with such diets. In these cases, the individual and nutritional habits should be evaluated in detail, and the most suitable method should be determined.
If we have a balanced, varied, and good quality diet in daily life, we usually meet our niacin needs. We can calculate the daily niacin requirement of an individual according to calories. This value requires 6.6 mg of niacin per 1000 calories taken. For the prevention of pellagra, the recommended 11 mg NE (niacin equivalent) .1 milligram niacin equals one niacin equivalent and 60 mg tryptophan. In young and healthy individuals, the required value for normal excretion in urine is approximately 14 mg.
