Description:
Niacin is required for proper circulation and healthy skin. It
aids in the functioning of the nervous system, helps to produce
energy from carbohydrates, and helps to make stomach acids. Niacin
also assists with the production of sex hormones, lowers cholesterol,
and improves circulation. It has been used with success to improve
schizophrenia and can improve memory.
Complimentary Nutrients:
B complex, B1, B2, B6, C, phosphorus, and proteins.
Antagonists:
Liver disease, antibiotics, coffee, alcohol, corn, and excessive
starches and sugar.
Health Benefits:
Cholesterol level reduction, brain, metabolism of protein, fat,
and carbohydrates, liver, nerves, soft tissue, circulation, growth,
hydrochloric acid production, skin, sex hormone production,
and tongue.
Therapeutic Uses:
Tooth decay, diarrhea, acne, baldness, halitosis, stress,
high blood pressure, leg cramps, migraine headaches, poor circulation,
and arthritis.
Vitamin Therapies should be done with the supervision of a qualified
health care professional. In the panel on the left, under ailments
you can find more information about treatments for some of these
conditions. You can also locate therapeutic information on this
site by using the search engine - click on 'Search' in the panel
on your left - and entering words relating to the ailment you are
interested in.
Deficiency Indicators:
Nausea, appetite loss, skin eruptions, canker sores, depression,
halitosis, headaches, insomnia, memory impairment, indigestion,
muscular weakness, fatigue, and nervous disorders.
Dosage:
| RDA |
Optimal Health |
Therapeutic Amounts |
| 16-19 mg (males), 13-14 mg (females) |
100 mg |
100-400 mg |
RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) are dosages developed by the
FDA. These amounts are designed to prevent deficiency symptoms.
For optimal health it is necessary to take a larger dose. The optimal
health amounts are for adults and children weighing over 100 lbs.
Children under the age of six should be given nutritional formulas
designed specifically for young children. The therapeutic amounts
to treat special conditions are usually much higher, and should
not be taken without the supervision of a qualified health care
professional.
Sources:
Niacin can be found in liver, broccoli, carrots, corn flour, dandelion
greens, dates, eggs, fish, peanuts, pork, potatoes, tomatoes, wheat
germ, whole-wheat products, lean meats, milk products, organ meats,
peanuts, poultry, and seafood. Here are some examples.
| Food |
Amount |
MG |
| roasted peanuts with skin |
1 cup |
40 |
| peanuts |
1 cup |
24 |
| beef liver |
1/4 lb. |
18 |
Comments:
A flush, usually harmless, may occur when using niacin by itself.
Using niacin combined with inositol will prevent that reaction.
