Vitamins are essential nutrients that the body needs to function well. They are organic chemicals that are needed to maintain excellent body condition. However, in unnecessary and uncontrollable amounts, they can bring unwanted results. Such is the case with a common vitamin compound called niacinamide.
Niacinamide or vitamin B3 is a water soluble vitamin that can be found in green vegetables, meat, milk, eggs, beans, yeast, and cereals. Because it is a derivative of the B vitamin, niacinamide can also be found in many B vitamin supplements. It is known to be a cholesterol-lowering agent that targets bad and harmful LDL cholesterol while keeping good cholesterol levels up. .
The recommended daily allowance of niacinamide for adults is 16 to 18 mg and up to a maximum of 35 mg per day. This can be obtained from food sources or from vitamin B complex supplements. At this controlled amount of niacinamide intake, optimal advantage can be achieved. Proven benefits include normal function of the digestive system, treatment of pellagra, cellular respiration, metabolism of carbohydrates, improvement of blood circulation, reduction of cholesterol level, and improvement of memory. It also helps patients with inflammatory skin disorders, specifically acne vulgaris, because the anti-inflammatory properties of niacinamide block the actions of iodides that can aggravate inflammatory acne conditions. As an antioxidant, niacinamide protects the body against pollutants and toxins one may encounter on a daily basis. Advances in recent studies identified a role for niacinamide as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of cancer in which niacinamide acts as a radio- and chemotherapy-sensitizing agent that reduces tumor hypoxia during the course of chemotherapy.
Niacinamide deficiency or inadequate intake of niacinamide in the diet can lead to poor mental concentration, irritability, and in severe cases, delirium, diarrhea, apathy, and clinical depression. Skin rashes, sores, halitosis, and insomnia are also reported symptoms of insufficient Niacimide in the body.
Too much of anything is definitely not good, no matter how many benefits you can attribute to it. In excessive doses, niacin can cause dry skin, various digestive ailments, elevated blood sugar levels, and severe liver damage.
What is important to note is that niacinamide can be taken in conjunction with B vitamins to optimize their effects and can be much more potent when combined with vitamin C.
In general, there really are no safety concerns regarding taking niacinamide, as long as you are aware of the effects, and take into account how much you can tolerate in a day.
