Keeping Tabs on Niacin

Vitamin B3 is one of the vitamins that make up the nutritional powerhouse known as the Vitamin B complex. Vitamin B3 is also called niacin, nicotinic acid and niacinamide and serves many vital purposes in the proper functioning of the body and the mind.

Vitamin B3 works with the other B vitamins to convert food into energy. It also serves to regulate the appetite as well as the proper function of the digestive system. Its primary tasks within the digestive system relate to controlling the levels at which bile and other stomach fluids are secreted.

Among the other important contributions that Vitamin B3 makes to the good health of the body is the essential role that it plays in the respiration of the cells its role in keeping the nervous system healthy and its relationship to the production of the hormones associated with reproduction. Vitamin B3 is also important to the health of the body's biggest organ ? the skin.

Vitamin B3 plays an important role in mental health and recent research has made some intriguing connections between the use of Vitamin B3 supplements and the production of serotonin. By using the supplements L-Tryptophan it doesn't have to be spent by the body in the making of niacin thus freeing the L-Tryptophan to be taken to the nervous system where it is processed into 5-http which leads to the production of serotonin which is highly important for mood regulation and feelings of well-being. Serotonin imbalance has been shown to be associated with anxiety and depression.

Vitamin B3 is a water-soluble vitamin which means that it is washed out of the body via the urine and the body must renew its supply of this vital nutrient daily. Deficiencies of vitamin B3 can have serious health consequences for both the body and the mind.

Symptoms of physical irregularities by someone who has niacin deficiency can include muscular weakness and a lack of muscular control particularly in the larger muscles masses such as those found in the legs. Other physical irregularity symptoms are open sores on the skin and in the mouth, a swollen tongue and chronic bad breathe, loss of appetite, chronic diarrhea, joint pain, low blood sugar and headaches. It can also cause the disease pellagra which presents with such symptoms as severe dermatitis, diarrhea and dementia. Symptoms of mental irregularities caused by a severe lack of niacin in the body include depression, fatigue and insomnia. The insomnia makes all of the other symptoms both physical and mental quite much harder to bear.

Dietary supplements are a safe and effective way to be sure that you meet the recommended daily requirements of B3 in your diet. However, it is important to use dietary supplements according to the standard dose levels as taking too much can cause other health problems some that are actually serious in nature. There are cases in which higher than standard doses may be recommended such as to combat symptoms that have been brought about by deficiencies. However, taking doses that are much higher than the standard levels should only be done when under the care and supervision of a qualified healthcare professional who can see to it that you are not causing yourself any harm. Dietary supplements like all other medications should always be kept out of the reach of children.

-------------------------
Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the AUTHOR'S resource box at the bottom of this article is included and and all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes.
-------------------------

Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about Vitamins, please go to: http://vitamins.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://www.besthealthlink.net/

---

Developing Those Elusive Bright Eyes... With Vitamins and Minerals

Vision is one of our most precious senses. Without it... Read More

Body Building Supplementation

Body Building Supplement ? what is it?The term "body building... Read More

Nutrition Supplements for Aging Americans

While America has given birth to the song "Young at... Read More

Improve Your Mental Cognitive Abilities

The Connection Between Brain Inflammation, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's DiseaseThe evidence... Read More

Do You Need Vitamins On A Low Carb Diet?

Should I Take Vitamins With My Low Carb Diet?Most low... Read More

Protein Supplement

Protein Supplement ? whey protein.Why is protein supplement important? Protein... Read More

Calcium Supplement

Calcium Supplement ? why calcium.Why is calcium supplement so important?... Read More

What are Phytochemicals (Phytonutrients)?

Don't be overwhelmed by this big word, ... Read More

Lipovarin Review: How Well Does It Work?

Lipovarin ReviewSince the ban on ephedra based products in April... Read More

The Eight Week Cholesterol Challenge

When I first started down this path I was looking... Read More

The Benefits of Whey Protein Drinks

Whey proteins drinks, especially shakes, are available in a variety... Read More

8 Minerals Every Arthritis Sufferer Should Know About

Minerals are essential to maintain our bodies in top condition... Read More

Vitamin B-Complex: Gastric Bypass Patients Must Supplement

The malabsorptive nature of the gastric bypass system prohibits adequate... Read More

What is HGH?

Hormones are chemical messengers made up of amino acids and... Read More

Nutritional Supplement

Nutritional Supplement ? what is it?So what is a nutritional... Read More

Minerals for a Normal Life

Minerals are essential nutrients that serve the body in many... Read More

Why Should I Take Nutritional Supplements?

Do you ever wonder why the experts keep saying that... Read More

Eat Well First Before You Take Your Vitamins

There is a huge market when it comes to vitamins.... Read More

Mangosteen

Rarely has a fruit that has been so unknown to... Read More

Antioxidants

Biological oxidation involves transferring electrons from one oxygen molecule to... Read More

GlutImmune: Powder for Immunity and Digestion

GlutImmune? is a very convenient high absorption source of glutamine.... Read More

The Secret to a Longer, Healthier, Happy Life is a Strong Immune System!

How can I improve my health and lifestyle beyond diet... Read More

Glucosamine Chondroitin & Arthritis - A Health Supplement

Many millions of people are affected by pain and suffering... Read More

Glutathione - Your Brains Master Antioxidant Defense

Free radicals and oxyradicals play an important role in the... Read More

The Undercover Vitamin

There is a secret vitamin in the neighborhood, wandering around... Read More

Nutritional Supplement - The Good Food, Bad Food Myth

Will common sense ever prevail? We've all seen stories on... Read More

Supplements and Drugs: A Hazardous Combination

As I have become more involved in using functional nutritional... Read More

How Effective are Oral Hyaluronic Acid Supplements?

There is a paradox of sorts when dealing with injections... Read More

Vitamin E to Protect Against Parkinsons Disease

Moderate amounts of vitamin E in the diet can protect... Read More

Vitamins: How To Keep Your Body Healthy By Using Vitamins Safely

Vitamins are an important part of a health diet. Unlike... Read More

Vitamins for the Recovering Alcoholic

I have frequently heard alcoholics who are in early recovery... Read More

The Cholesterol Solution

Is there an alternative to statin drugs such as Lipitor... Read More

Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - HMB

HMB stands for beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate. It is a metabolite of... Read More