Getting to know Niacin or Vitamin B3 which plays an Important role for the body

All types of vitamins play a crucial role for the body's performance. One of them, namely vitamin B3. This vitamin is also called niacin, which you might often find in cereal products. Recognize the importance of niacin for the body.

Niacin aka vitamin B3, what is the importance for the body?
Vitamin B3 aka niacin is a member of the family of vitamin B complex. We mainly get this vitamin through food consumption and also produced using the amino acid tryptophan. Niacin is also present in the form of supplements.

Vitamin B3 supplement or niacin
Niacin or vitamin B3 is present in supplement form
There are two forms of niacin or vitamin B3 which have their own unique functions. The two types of niacin are:

Nicotinic acid, a form of vitamin B3 that doctors may give to lower cholesterol levels.
Niacinamide, has the potential to overcome skin problems such as psoriasis. Niacinamide is also often mixed into various skin care products.
The role of niacin or vitamin B3 and symptoms if the body is deficient
Like other B vitamin members, niacin plays a role in converting food nutrients to energy. This energy metabolism involves two coenzymes, namely NAD and NADP. Niacin or vitamin B3 is a component of these two coenzymes.

In addition, niacin also plays a role in signal delivery, DNA production and maintenance, and can act as an antioxidant molecule.

Like other vitamin deficiencies, our bodies will show certain symptoms if they are deficient in niacin. Some symptoms of niacin or vitamin B3 deficiency, namely:

Memory loss and confusion
Fatigue
Depression
Headache
Diarrhea
Skin problem
Benefits of vitamin B3 or niacin
In addition to carrying out vital functions in energy metabolism, niacin or vitamin B3 is also said to have certain health benefits. These benefits, for example:

1. Control cholesterol
Since the 1950s, niacin has been used to control cholesterol. In fact, this B vitamin can reduce bad cholesterol 5-20%. Even so, due to consideration of side effects, niacin is not the main treatment in reducing cholesterol. Niacin is usually given if the patient cannot take the statin cholesterol drug.

In addition to reducing bad cholesterol or LDL, niacin also helps raise levels of good cholesterol, aka HDL.

2. Reducing triglyceride levels
Not only cholesterol, niacin is also reported to be beneficial for reducing triglycerides, even up to 20-50%. Niacin decreases triglycerides by stopping the activity of enzymes involved in triglyceride synthesis.

3. Improve brain performance
You may often see child supplement advertisements that favor niacin in educating Little Brain. The brain organ does need niacin to be able to get energy and function as it should.

In fact, research shows that niacin can also help keep the brain healthy in Alzheimer's disease.

4. Maintain skin function
Niacin or vitamin B3 helps protect skin cells from sun damage. The study found this potential benefit could be obtained either orally or applied as a lotion.

A 2015 study also mentioned that consuming 500 mg twice a day of nicotinamide, a form of niacin, can reduce the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer in risk groups.

5. Help reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis
Although further research is still needed, niacin or vitamin B3 is reported to erode some of the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Giving this vitamin can also increase joint movement and reduce the patient's need for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Niacin or vitamin B3 can be obtained from this food
Niacin can be consumed from various types of food, ranging from poultry, meat, fish, and nuts. Some sources of vitamin B3 or niacin, namely:

Chicken breast
Tuna fish
Beef
Smoked salmon
Peanuts
Pork
Avocado
Mushroom
Potato
Peanuts are a source of vitamin B3 or niacin
Peanuts are one source of niacin
Niacin or vitamin B3, are there risks?
Taking niacin or vitamin B3 from healthy foods above tends to be safe. However, when taking it from supplements, there are several risks of side effects that should be known, for example:

Niacin flush, which is the reddening of the face, neck and chest due to dilation of blood vessels. Pain, burning sensation, and tingling sensation on the skin can also be experienced.
Gastric irritation and nausea
Liver disorders
Disruption of blood sugar control
Vision loss
Gout due to rising uric acid levels
Because niacin supplements can cause the above side effects, you certainly have to consult a doctor first before taking them.

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Niacin