Niacin Health Benefits

What are the Health Benefits of Taking Niacin?

Niacin is actually a vitamin. Vitamin B3 to be exact. Vitamin B3 is very important for your cardiovascular system and metabolism. In fact, niacin can help prevent or even reverse diabetes. Vitamin B3 also helps with healthy brain function and skin maintenance.Now you might be wondering where to find it? Luckily it occurs naturally in many foods that we eat,however the dosage is quite low. You can find it in some meats, tuna, plant seeds etc.

Health Benefits of Niacin/Vitamin B3

1. Helps Maintain/Improves Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol has become a widespread health ailment for many people. It has to fall into a certain range or your heart could be in trouble! There is good cholesterol and there is bad cholesterol, you need it. In fact, low cholesterol levels can be worse for you than high cholesterol!There have been a few studies which have shown that vitamin niacin can help to boost the levels of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) and lower triglycerides equally as well as many prescription medications when given in high doses.In addition to helping raise good cholesterol vitamin B3 also helps to lower the levels of bad LDL cholesterol. Doctors are now even starting to prescribe it to aid other prescription drugs to reduce cholesterol levels. (view study on niacin's affect on cholesterol)Check out this study that shows the benefits of niacin for people who are at an increased risk of heart attacks because of too much bad cholesterol or not enough good cholesterol.

2. Lowers Cardiovascular Disease Risk

In addition to helping with managing cholesterol levels, niacin/vitamin B3 can help to fend off atherosclerosis which is a hardening of the arteries. This condition can lead to heart disease which is the number one killer of people in America.Niacin can also help to prevent heart attacks - even in people who have already suffered one. Niacin has a key role in the production of histamine and reducing inflammation in the blood stream.Taking good care of your blood and heart is crucial to maintaining your health.

3. Helps With Normal Brain Function

Medical studies have evidence that Niacin can help with Alzheimer's as well as other mental degenerative ailments, as well as slowing the decline of mental states as we age. It can help with memory loss, confusion, and other brain issues that occur naturally as one ages.

4. Role With Blood Sugar

Vitamin B3 helps to regulate blood glucose levels naturally, and when combines with medications some patients have been able to manage their condition better than before. It's too early to tell what effects niacin can have on diabetes but early studies look quite promising. However Niacin can elevate blood sugar so if you suffer from hyperglycemia I would consult a physician.

Other Benefits

There have been other studies done that show evidence that Niacin or Vitamin B3 can help with Arthritis and Joint Pain, this can reduce the dependence on pain killers for those of you who suffer from joint pain.Additionally, vitamin B3 helps to keep skin healthy. This includes helping with acne, niacin helps to reduce skin inflammation, flare ups, irritation and redness.

Side Effects of Niacin

Niacin does have some incredible health benefits, such as helping to raise levels of Human Growth Hormone and others, but there are a few noteworthy side effects as well... The top one is the flush.The flush is more commonly known as the niacin flush and it's a top side effect. There isn't anything particularly dangerous about the flush, but it can be rather uncomfortable. It is a slight burning or hot sensation in your body and usually causes your skin to redden. Although many people don't really care for it some people love it as they feel they know the niacin is working.In addition to the flush and the itching, tingling, redness and feeling of warmth under your skin there are also a few possible mild side effects:

• headache
• dizziness
• itching
• dry skin
• sweating
• chills
• muscle pain
• leg cramps
• insomnia
• blurred vision
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• belching
• gas.

The higher the dose and the higher the dose change the more likely you are to experience the side effetcs of niacin. If you want toAt the end of the day, we know niacin is important - in fact because it's a vitamin this means we know it's crucial to maintaining good health. However is higher than normal doses (doses higher than you'll find naturally) it seems to help out with many issues people are suffering from today. I would highly recommend you try adding niacin to your diet more regularly.At the very least, it's proven to help with keeping your heart healthy. I would take it just for that alone not to mention all the other possible benefits. Click here to see the top niacin product.However before doing so you may want to talk with your doctor to learn how it may affect you.