Why Do We Need Vitamin B3?

Vitamin B3 (Niocin) nicotinic acid and its amide, niacinamide, and can be found in many foods, including yeast, meat, fish, milk, eggs, green vegetables, and cereal grains.

Signs & Symptoms of Vitamin B3 Deficiency:
Indigestion
Fatigue.
Canker sores, apthous ulcers
Nausea, vomiting.
Depression
Pellagra:  Cracked, scaly skin
                      Dementia
                      Diarrhea.
Burning in the mouth
Swollen, bright red tongue.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin) has been shown to be beneficial in the following conditions:
Pellagra
Elevated triglycerides.
Low HDL cholesterol
High LDL cholesterol.
Small, dense LDL cholesterol particles
Atherosclerosis, vascular disease.
May help reduce high blood pressure
Osteoarthritis (as niacinamide).
Prevention of cataracts
Burns, in combination with other B complex vitamins.
Cardiovascular disease
Depression.

Prescription Drugs that deplete Vitamin B3 (Niacin):
Isoniazid (INH)
Zonisamide (anticonvulsant).
Hormone replacement therapy
Alcohol.
Possibly caffeine

Laboratory testing for Vitamin B3 (Niacin):
Urine nicotinic acid
Lymphocyte proliferation

Vitamin B3 Food Sources:
Beets, brewer’s yeast, beef liver and kidney (organ meats), pork, turkey, chicken, veal, salmon, swordfish, tuna, sunflower seeds, and peanuts.