Vitamin B3 (niacin, niacinamide, nicotinic acid)
Applications:
Cancer prevention, epilepsy, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, mental illness, migraines, leg cramps, poor circulation, stress, poor memory, senility.
Scientific Data:
Several clinical tests have confirmed the ability of niacin to lower blood cholesterol and triglycerides by up to 50 percent or more. It has also proven its effectiveness at preventing cancer after exposure to carcinogens. Niacin may also be very useful for epilepsy and can be used in conjunction with anticonvulsant drugs.
Depleting Agents:
Antibiotics, caffeine, alcohol, estrogen, sleeping pills, sulfa drugs, excessive consumption of white sugar.
Sources:
Organ meats (especially liver), eggs, fish, peanuts, legumes, milk, avocados, whole grains with the exception of corn.
Interactions:
Niacin needs adequate supplies of all the other B-vitamins to function properly. Niacin is also thought to potentiate the action of cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Recommendations:
This vitamin can be purchased as niacin (nicotinic acid or nicotinate) or niacinamide (nicotinamide). These forms are used for different applications. Inositol hexaniacinate is a specific kind of niacin which does not cause flushing and has been used in Europe to treat high cholesterol and impaired blood flow for decades.
