Importance of Vitamin B3 or Niacin

(BeWellBuzz) Niacin is obtained from the diet. Niacinamide can be synthesized in the body from niacin and tryptophan, an amino acid. Both niacin and niacinamide are available as supplements.

From niacin the body synthesizes two co-enzyme forms, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP). Both are essential in cell metabolism and, therefore, energy production.

NAD is involved in “redox” reactions, ie transfer of electrons. It plays a major role in cellular metabolism, breaking down macromolecules carbs, fats, proteins and alcohol, and resulting in the release of energy. It also plays an important role in DNA repair and cell signaling, vital to all healing processes and to maintain healthy cells.

NADP is most prominently used in anabolic reactions, synthesizing macromolecules such as fatty acids and cholesterol. The Linus Pauling Institute reports that at least 200 enzymes, covering over 500 metabolic processes, require NAD or NADP for proper function and to produce energy.

Comparisons

Niacin can trigger uncomfortable flushing; niacinamide does not. Niacin is effective in lowering LDL cholesterol and raising levels of HDL; niacinamide isn’t, but is effective in treating certain deficiency disorders such as pellagra (described below) without the flushing effects of niacin.

Niacin Deficiency

Pellagra is a skin disease caused by severe chronic deficiency of niacin and/or tryptophan. It’s common to refer to its symptoms as the four D’s: dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia and death.

Pellagra derived its name during the Italian endemic, which coined it from the words “pelle,” skin, and “agra,” sour. In the 18^th century pellagra also became known as “Asturian leprosy.”

Symptoms include edema (swelling from fluid under the skin); a dark, thick scaly skin rash in areas exposed to light; red skin lesions; hair loss; red swollen tongue; and light sensitivity. It also affects the brain and nervous system causing emotional disturbance, aggression, and mild to severe cognitive decline eventually leading to dementia. Because of the observed effects of a deficiency upon brain function, niacin is being considered for prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Niacin is vital in cellular production of energy. A prominent signal of deficiency is tired muscles and overall fatigue. Other more advanced symptoms include vomiting and loss of appetite; depression, confusion and loss of memory.

Niacin deficiency is cured by supplementing niacin. If caught early enough, pellagra can be cured by taking a higher dose. Administer higher doses of niacin/niacinamide only under direct supervision of a healthcare professional.

Risk Factors

People suffering with alcoholism are at risk for pellagra.

Additionally the body needs vitamins B1, B2, B6, vitamin C and iron to synthesize niacin from tryptophan, so synergistic deficiencies must be taken into account.

Populations eating a largely cornmeal-based diet are at higher risk. During the 20^th century, pellagra hit the USA. By then, people knew there was a relationship between corn-based diets and the disease, but they assumed that the kernels themselves contained disease inducing bacteria, or else were toxic. Today we know that the whole corn kernel doesn’t cause disease and it actually contains niacin, but when the corn is ground into a meal, the B vitamin becomes unavailable to the body. Therefore, people who consume large amounts of cornmeal based foods, which aren’t fortified, may become niacin deficient.

Other causes of niacin deficiency include the use of the anti-tuberculosis drug Isoniazid; Hartnup’s disease, a hereditary disorder that prevents the body’s absorption of tryptophan; and carcinoid syndrome, where the body uses all the available tryptophan to secrete serotonin, leaving none to synthesize into niacin.

Food Sources of Niacin

Whole grains and animal proteins are excellent sources of Vitamin B3. Rice bran from brown rice, wheat bran and spelt are rich sources. Proteins chicken, turkey and venison; anchovies, salmon, tuna and halibut richly provide niacin or NE (niacin equivalent, tryptophan). Plant sources provide much smaller amounts of B3. These include green peas and corn (the two highest), sweet potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, brussel sprouts, green beans, broccoli and eggplant.

Niacin to Treat Diabetic Dyslipidemia (High Fat/Cholesterol)

Diabetic dyslipidemia, most commonly occurring as hyperlipidemia, describes an abnormally high level of triglycerides and free fatty acids in the blood, along with low levels of the cholesterol HDL (high density lipoprotein) and high LDL (low density lipoprotein). A study in 2002 found that a daily niacin treatment increased HDL, lowered LDL and improved hyperlipidemia, but worsened glycemic control.[1] Another study in 2008 tested the combination of a low extended release dose of niacin along with the drug simvastatin. Niacin dramatically boosted the benefits of the drug. The study concluded that “low doses of ER [extended release] niacin are a treatment option for dyslipidemia in patients with type 2 diabetes.“[2]

Niacin is also being used to treat:

• depression and anxiety
• osteoarthritis, to improve joint flexibility and reduce pain and inflammation
• atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
• cataracts
• diabetes 1 and 2

Recommended Reading:

Niacin, The Real Story by Abram Hoffer, M.D., Ph.D., Andrew W. Saul, Ph.D., and Harold D. Foster, Ph.D.

—————-

References: