The Benefits of Taking B3
also referred to as niacin, is found abundantly in meats, fish, eggs, and green vegetables. The forms of vitamin B3 are nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. The two types have similar effects on the body, but when taken orally they are different because nicotinamide does not have the same pharmacological properties when ingested.
Nicotinic acid is also referred to as niacin. The term “niacin” is often used interchangeably with nicotinic acid.
Niacin deficiency leads to pellagra, which is characterized by dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia. It can be treated with either oral or intravenous (IV) administration of nicotinamide.
Niacin is also used to reduce elevated lipoprotein(a) levels in certain patients when statins are not enough, and when lifestyle changes are not sufficient, for the treatment of coronary artery disease.
Common side effects associated with nicotinic acid include flushing the skin, itching, and burning sensations in the skin. These side effects can be reduced by starting with a low dose and slowly increasing the dose over time until the optimal level is reached.
Vitamin B3, or niacin, supplementation has been shown to have a significant impact in lowering cholesterol levels in certain populations of people. Nicotinamide does not have these effects on serum lipid levels.
The lipid-raising effects associated with niacin are dose-dependent, meaning that the higher the dose, the greater these effects will be. These effects can vary by race; people of African heritage may experience fewer of these side effects at lower doses than Caucasians or Hispanics/Latinos. Additionally, there is some evidence that suggests that niacin use also reduces insulin resistance, which could help treat or prevent type 2 diabetes.
In patients with pre-existing conditions such as gout, peptic ulcers, and liver disease, high doses of nicotinic acid should be avoided because it can increase the risk of these conditions worsening. These side effects include flushing and itching, but more serious effects such as liver inflammation can also occur.
The recommended dietary allowance for vitamin B3 in adults is 16 mg/day for men and 14 mg/day for women. This number increases to 18 mg/day for men and 17 mg/day for women during pregnancy, and it increases again to 19 mg/day in lactating women. For smokers, this number increases by 35% to 23 mg/day for men and 24 mg/day for women.
Niacin supplementation has been shown to be most effective at reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels when doses are in the range of 500mg to 2000mg per day, taken in divided doses.
This number increases to 2000mg/day when niacin is combined with other cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins, fibrates, or ezetimibe. The optimal dose can vary by individual tolerance and lipid profile, but efficacy has been shown at doses of 1g daily.
There are many different forms of niacin available via the pharmaceutical market, including extended-release (ER) preparations, sustained-release (SR) preparations, and immediate-release versions. These different formulations can have varying pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic properties that may contribute to or limit their clinical efficacy.
Consensus regarding what is the best form of niacin to use is mixed. SR preparations have been shown to be more effective at reducing LDL-C levels, but they also result in a higher incidence of adverse events such as liver toxicity and myopathy.
The most common side effect associated with niacin is flushing – a reddening or burning sensation on the skin – which occurs in 20% to 50% of people. Other side effects include nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision.
Like any medication, there are a number of drug-nutrient interactions that can occur when supplementing with niacin. For example, taking niacin along with the following medications may potentiate their side effects: Oral Contraceptives; Lopinavir; Nelfinavir; Ritonavir; Saquinavir.
Niacinamide does not have lipid-lowering effects. Therefore, it should be taken with caution if the patient has hyperlipidemia and is taking cholesterol-lowering medications such as statins or fibrates.
High doses of niacinamide over time (>1g/day) could potentially decrease the efficacy of oral contraceptive medication because it will compete for CYP3A4 in the liver. Niacinamide does not affect pravastatin or simvastatin significantly, but it decreases the bioavailability of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin by up to 40%.
As always, before beginning supplementation with niacin, it is important to consult the patient’s physician. Niacin should be avoided in patients who are taking medications that prolong bleeding time (such as warfarin), and niacin should not be taken without consulting a physician if the patient has liver or kidney disease.
Niacin can be taken in a variety of different forms, each with its own benefits and side effects. Higher doses may result in more significant lipid-lowering effects, but they may also increase the risk of adverse events such as liver toxicity and myopathy.
In addition to niacin’s lipid-lowering properties, it is thought to have a therapeutic role in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and psychosis. Therefore, niacin can be used as a stand-alone drug or adjunctively with other drugs to manage lipid profiles and neuropsychiatric symptoms.
vitamin b3 foods:
What foods are rich in niacin? Niacin is part of the vitamin b complex group. The other members of this group include thiamin (sources), riboflavin (sources), pantothenic acid (sources), and vitamin B6 (potential sources). Niacin can also be found as a stand-alone supplement.
This water-soluble vitamin is found in animal foods, plant foods, and supplements. Niacin can be oxidized to form niacinamide, an amide derivative of niacin. This article discusses the best food sources of niacin as well as its effects on health and potential side effects.
Foods High in Vitamin B3 – Niacin Foods:
Niacin foods have a number of benefits for health. In addition to being an essential vitamin, niacin has been found to help lower LDL cholesterol levels and fight depression. This article discusses the potential benefits as well as possible side effects of consuming too much niacin.
Best vitamin b3 supplement:
1. Liver:
The liver is perhaps the best niacin food available. It contains approximately 29 milligrams of vitamin B3 per 100 grams, which is just over three ounces. Other animal products that are high in niacin include chicken liver, pork loin, lean beef tenderloin, and lean ham. Proteins are generally the best way to get niacin, in addition to supplements. This is discussed in more detail below.
2. Chicken Liver:
Chicken liver contains approximately 15 milligrams of vitamin B3 per 100 grams. Other animal products that are high in niacin include pork loin, lean beef tenderloin, and lean ham. Proteins are generally the best way to get niacin, in addition to supplements. This is discussed in more detail below (Source).
3. Pork Loin:
Pork loin contains approximately 13 milligrams of vitamin B3 per 100 grams. Other animal products that are high in niacin include chicken liver, lean beef tenderloin, and lean ham. Proteins are generally the best way to get niacin, in addition to supplements. This is discussed in more detail below (Source).
4. Lean Beef Tenderloin:
Lean beef tenderloin contains approximately 6 milligrams of vitamin B3 per 100 grams. Other animal products that are high in niacin include chicken liver, pork loin, and lean ham. Proteins are generally the best way to get niacin, in addition to supplements. This is discussed in more detail below (Source).
5. Lean Ham:
Lean ham contains approximately 5 milligrams of vitamin B3 per 100 grams. Other animal products that are high in niacin include chicken liver, pork loin, and lean beef tenderloin. Proteins are generally the best way to get niacin, in addition to supplements. This is discussed in more detail below (Source).
6. Peanuts:
Peanuts contain approximately 4 milligrams of vitamin B3 per 100 grams. Other plant foods that are high in niacin include plantains, walnuts, and sunflower seeds. This is discussed in more detail below (Source).
7. Sunflower Seeds:
Sunflower seeds contain approximately 4 milligrams of vitamin B3 per 100 grams. Other plant foods that are high in niacin include peanuts, walnuts, and plantains. This is discussed in more detail below (Source).
8. Walnuts:
Walnuts contain approximately 3 milligrams of vitamin B3 per 100 grams. Other plant foods that are high in niacin include peanuts, sunflower seeds, and plantains. This is discussed in more detail below (Source).
9. Plantains:
Plantains contain approximately 1 milligram of vitamin B3 per 100 grams. Other plant foods that are high in niacin include peanuts, sunflower seeds, and walnuts. This is discussed in more detail below (Source).
10. Mushrooms:
Mushrooms contain approximately 1 milligram of vitamin B3 per 100 grams. Other plant foods that are high in niacin include peanuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and plantains. This is discussed in more detail below (Source).
11. Spinach:
Spinach contains approximately 1 milligram of vitamin B3 per 100 grams. Other plant foods that are high in niacin include peanuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, plantains, and mushrooms. This is discussed in more detail below (Source).
12. Avocado:
Avocados contain approximately 1 milligram of vitamin B3 per 100 grams. Other plant foods that are high in niacin include peanuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, plantains, mushrooms, and spinach. This is discussed in more detail below (Source).
13. Potatoes:
Potatoes contain approximately 1 milligram of vitamin B3 per 100 grams. Other plant foods that are high in niacin include peanuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, plantains, mushrooms, spinach, and avocados. This is discussed in more detail below (Source).
14. Peas:
Peas contain approximately 1 milligram of vitamin B3 per 100 grams. Other plant foods that are high in niacin include peanuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, plantains, mushrooms, spinach, avocados, and potatoes. This is discussed in more detail below (Source).
15. Lentils:
Lentils contain approximately 1 milligram of vitamin B3 per 100 grams. Other plant foods that are high in niacin include peanuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, plantains, mushrooms, spinach, avocados, potatoes, and peas. This is discussed in more detail below (Source).