Vitamin B3 Niacin

Vitamin B3 Niacin -- first, niacin is just another term for vitamin B3. It also goes by the name of niacinamide, which is another form of Vitamin B3.

What role does vitamin B3 Niacin play in the body?

Primarily, it is important in carbohydrate metabolism, the utilization of protein and fats, the production of body hormones, formation of red blood cells and maintaining the health of cells.

It also aids in promoting a healthy digestive system.

Vitamin B3 Benefits

Besides the major roles mentioned above, vitamin B3 benefits also include: maintaining the health of the skin, increasing circulation, alleviate hypertension -- that is, high blood pressure.

It may also help boost energy levels.

Niacin HDL Cholesterol

One of the major vitamin b3 benefits has to do with cholesterol.

Specifically, Niacin HDL -- meaning Vitamin B3 Niacin may help boost HDL, which is known as the "good" cholesterol.

One study from the Atherosclerosis Research Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Division of Cardiology, University of California at Irvine states "Niacin is the most effective medication in current clinical use for increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol."

It will be interesting to see what future research reveals about Niacin HDL.

Vitamin B3 Niacin

Precautions

Taking too much niacin may cause what is known as a "niacin flush," which is characterized by tingling, reddening, and possible itchiness. The cause of the niacin flush is the release of histamine. The intensity of any niacin flush can be reduced if taken with a meal.

Other people who should refrain from taking niacin unless consulting with their physician first are: women who are pregnant and nursing, those with a known medical condition, and especially those with liver disease such as hepaitis C or cirrhosis.

Niacinamide is a form of niacin that usually does not cause a niacin flush and, therefore, is often the form used in some quality nutritional supplements.

A Comprehensive Product

One company that produces a product with Vitamin B3 Niacinamide is Xtend-Life from New Zealand, which has one of the strictest regulatory environments in the world for the manufacture of dietary supplements, far exceeding U.S.FDA standards.

Their flagship Formula, Total Balance, contains vitamin B3 niacin (as niacinamide), many other B vitamins, in addition to a full spectrum of herbal extracts, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, enzymes and speciality nutrients.

In fact, it contains the majority of supplements we cover on this entire site and is perhaps the most powerful and comprehensive health supplement we have ever found.

We here at Nutritional-Supplement-Info have been taking Total Balance for almost 2 years with excellent results: we have noticed an increase in energy, mental clarity, and general feeling of well being.


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