Niacin (also known as vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid), is one
of the water-soluble B-complex vitamins that provides a range of health
benefits, including reducing your level of “bad” LDL cholesterol while raising
your level of “good” HDL cholesterol. The body uses niacin, as it does the
other B vitamins, to convert food into energy and maintain a healthy nervous
system. Niacin also plays a key role in the metabolism of fats, including the
synthesis of such fat-based hormones as androgens, estrogens, progestins and
stress-related hormones.
The benefit of niacin to healthy brain function has been
demonstrated by a study showing its effectiveness in helping protect against
age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a study on nearly four
thousand elderly residents of a Chicago community. Over a period of almost six
years, the residents’ dietary data was collected and cognitive assessments were
conducted. The results found a definite positive correlation between niacin
intake and reduction in mental impairment.
A derivative of niacin, niacinamide, is often useful in the
treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Dr. William Kaufman has
been studying the use of niacinamide in the treatment of arthritis since the
1950s and writes of its benefits, “It measurably improves joint mobility,
muscle strength, decreases fatigability. It increases maximal muscle working
capacity, reduces or completely eliminates arthritic joint pain.”
As the body is unable to absorb more than 250 mg of
niacinamide at a time, it is more effective to take smaller does more often
(perhaps every one to three hours) than one large dose per day. It is estimated
that nearly 70 percent of arthritis patients will experience increased joint
mobility after four weeks of treatment.
Though niacin deficiency is uncommon, it tends to occur most
often in populations that suffer from poverty, malnourishment or chronic
alcoholism. This deficiency can lead to a disease called pellagra, in which the
patient suffers from dermatitis, diarrhea and dementia. A severe lack of niacin
can be deadly, if left untreated. Populations who use corn products (such as
cornmeal) as the main staple of their diet often suffer from pellagra, as the
niacin in corn is not easily absorbed by the body. Interestingly, adding
limestone during cooking (often just by cooking food in high calcium content
water) helps to make the vitamin bio-available, and Native Americans have
incorporated ash from their cooking fires into their corn-based dishes for
generations.
Author Bio:
Dr. Matt Ramirez graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Human Biology in 2004 and received his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree in 2006. He specializes in auto injury recovery and rehabilitation and has enhanced and improved thousands of lives as well as treated people of all ages over the years. He is also an expert in health and wellness, massage therapy, chiropractic care, and more...
Dr. Matt Ramirez graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Human Biology in 2004 and received his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree in 2006. He specializes in auto injury recovery and rehabilitation and has enhanced and improved thousands of lives as well as treated people of all ages over the years. He is also an expert in health and wellness, massage therapy, chiropractic care, and more...
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