A Fresh Take on Niacin

A post by Blanche Scharf http://www.yourhealthupdates.com I have been studying natural healing modalities for the last 25 years. In that time I have had the privilege of working with some of the greatest minds in Natural Healing including Naturopaths, Scientists, and Energy Healers. I have seen people miraculously heal from all kinds of dis-ease thru non-invasive methods. Personally, I have experienced all kinds of diets from Macrobiotics to Raw Foods. Now is a very important time to start sharing this health information with as many people as possible, so people can make well informed decisions about their health and not fall victim to a sickcare system based on profit, rather than one of supporting wholeness, compassion and love To see more posts by Blanche Scharf, click here

We need a fresh take on niacin; most of the information is from a pharmaceutical prospective.

Niacin

Overall niacin or nicotinic acid is used under the care and monitoring of a health care provider. It is used to increase good cholesterol (HDL)

HDL is known as the good cholesterol because of its protective effect on the heart and blood vessels. Its role in heart health is undisputed. This role that it plays is straightforward. The multiple health benefits come from its ability to remove excess cholesterol in the blood and bring it to the liver for disposal. By doing so it may remove excess cholesterol from arterial plaque, and slow its buildup. In fact high LDL and total cholesterol dangers can be offset by a high HDL reading.

The fact that niacin raises HDL doesn’t mean that it is capable, cost effective or compelling enough to be used by itself for this purpose. Niacin is remarkable as a naturally occurring B3 vitamin present in food sources. It is established, and proven that niacin in the form of B3 restores HDL levels.

Niacin is a type of B vitamin that also aids in the function of the digestive system, skin, nerves and heart health. An adult needs at the very least 14-16mg of niacin daily to function properly. Niacin was first used in the1950’s and as such is the oldest of today’s treatment for lowering cholesterol.

Vitamin B3

Vitamin B3 plays an essential role in energy metabolism. This vitamin works with vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, and biotin to break the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy. Vitamin B3 aids in the production of hydrochloric acid for digestion. This is the anti-pellagra vitamin.

Natural occurring vitamin B3 is somewhat different than pure niacin. The optimal form of any vitamin comes from a source that integrates all the diverse components that compliment it, Vitamin B3 is no different.

The best dietary sources of vitamin B3 are found in beets, brewer’s yeast, beef liver, beef kidney, pork, turkey, chicken, veal, fish, salmon, swordfish, tuna, sunflower seeds, and peanuts.

Niacin is in a wide variety of foods both animal and vegetable sources contain this nutrient. Vitamin B3 can also be found in brewer’s yeast, broccoli, carrots, cheese, dandelion greens, dates, potatoes, tomatoes, wheat germ, and whole wheat. Herbs such as alfalfa, burdock root, catnip, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seeds, hops, licorice, nettle, oat straw, parsley, peppermint, raspberry leaf, rose hips, and slippery elm.

The liver is the main storage area for vitamin B3 and the absorption takes place in the intestines. B3 is required by the body for digestion, activation of enzymes that nourish the brain, to regulate blood pressure and cholesterol.

Vitamin B3 is usually found in combination with other B vitamins such as thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin, and folic acid. Vitamins are not isolated in nature.

Niacin Side Effects  

Large doses of niacin can cause liver damage, peptic ulcers, and skin rashes. In the high doses that are used for controlling cholesterol levels, nicotinic acid can cause skin flushing, skin itching, headaches, lightheadedness, and low blood pressure. People who are pregnant, diabetic, or have ulcers have to very careful.

A high dose of vitamin B3 is not without problems. Besides serious liver damage, people who suffer from asthma, liver disease, gallbladder disease, gout, glaucoma or ulcers should be extremely careful with taking this in a supplement form.

High dose of nicotinic acid (about 3 grams daily) has caused impaired glucose tolerance in healthy individuals.

Summary   

In nature very little appears in isolation. Natural occurring substance are packaged to have dual purposes, so that they posses both economy of purpose and the greatest yield. The only guarantee that you are getting the vitamin B3 in the safest optimal form is by consuming a diversified diet of whole foods.

Related posts:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil Health Benefits
• Cholesterol is not the Cause of Heart Disease
• Fortified Folic Acid Danger
• Health Claims Running Rampant
• Paleo Diet-Meat Eater’s Paradise