What Is Niacin?
What is Niacin? This water soluble vitamin is part of the B vitamin family. It aids in converting fats, carbohydrates and proteins into energy as well as aid in proper function of the digestive system, nervous system and skin. Additional benefits between niacin and cholesterol suggest that niacin therapy can help keep cholesterol levels low. Some people do have a niacin reaction but side effects are minor and can usually be treated easily.
Niacin And Cholesterol
What is Niacin’s role in cholesterol control? Niacin therapy for cholesterol is no substitute for healthy eating and exercise and should only be undertaken with a doctors supervision and in addition to any other cholesterol lowering drugs he or she recommends. Other than that it’s pretty easy! It can be prescribed in either short or long term doses. The short term doses serve to figure out what levels are right for the individual and then a long term plan is carried out. Like all good things, Niacin therapy takes time to work and you may not see immediate results pertaining to Niacin and cholesterol levels. However, if you have your cholesterol checked every 6 months or as prescribed by your doctor then you should eventually see levels get lower.
What Is A Niacin Reaction Like?
Since Niacin is a B vitamin it is water soluble and any excess is excreted in the urine. It does not build up in the body to toxic levels but some my have a mild reaction about 30 minutes after taking niacin. This reaction is simply a flushed feeling in the face which only lasts for an hour or so and seems to go away once you have continued niacin therapy for several weeks. It can sometimes be avoided by taking aspirin a half hour before taking the niacin. Some people fell nauseous after taking niacin so it is recommended to take it with meals to avoid this niacin reaction.
What Is Niacin RDA?
The RDA for Niacin is 16 mg a day for adult women and 14 MG a day for adult men. Of course this is the minimum amount needed to prevent a deficiency and if you are undertaking niacin therapy you will probably be taking larger doses.
Niacin and cholesterol lowering are certainly a reason to make sure you get adequate amounts of this vitamin, but it also has many other benefits which include increased circulation, healthy digestion, proper metabolism, and healthy skin.
Niacin can be found in salmon, tuna, mushrooms, halibut, asparagus, cranberries and tomato.Of course, you can get it from supplements too, but make sure you take a Vitamin B3 Niacin supplement and not a B3 Niacinamide which does not have the cholesterol lowering affects.
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