Niacin is a water-soluble nutrient in the family of B vitamins that stands out on its own as a supplement apart from its “brethren.” Here is a quick look at the chemical occurrence of niacin, and a description of the most prominent benefits you can get from it.
What Is Niacin?
Niacin is another name for vitamin B3. There are multiple forms of niacin, and the two most common are nicotinic acid and niacinamide. Niacin is present in many foods, and the benefits of niacin are significant enough that it is made available as a dietary supplement.
Cells in all tissues located throughout the body use niacin, converting it into its metabolically active form, a coenzyme called nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is crucial for bodily function, as it is necessary for more than 400 different enzymatic reactions. Niacin contributes to the conversion of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into ATP, the compound primarily responsible for providing energy to the body’s cells. Niacin also contributes to other crucial cell processes including cellular communication, gene expression, and the maintenance of genome integrity.
The Benefits of Taking Niacin
Given the myriad roles of niacin in the body, supplementing with niacin can provide various benefits. Here are six of the most prominent potential benefits of taking niacin:
Supporting brain function: Niacin’s role in the production of cellular ATP means that sufficient niacin is needed for the brain to have enough energy to function properly. Studies show a link between niacin deficiency and brain fog. Supplementing with niacin could remedy this. Other studies show that taking niacin could support brain health in the face of certain psychiatric conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and some types of schizophrenia.
Managing cholesterol: Studies show that niacin can help to reduce unhealthy low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, as well as raise healthy high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Niacin is sometimes prescribed alongside cholesterol medications for this purpose. As a result, taking niacin is beneficial to the heart and reduces the risk of heart disease.
Managing blood pressure: Studies show that taking niacin could reduce blood pressure in individuals with hypertension (high blood pressure). That represents another heart-healthy benefit of niacin.
Diabetes, specifically the risk of Type I diabetes, could be reduced in children at risk for the disease as a result of taking niacin, according to some studies. This is because niacin could protect the pancreatic cells which create insulin. Other research suggests that niacin could help those with Type II diabetes manage their cholesterol levels.
Joint health could be supported by taking niacinamide. This form of niacin can contribute to increased joint mobility, as well as decreased joint inflammation, pain, and swelling in cases of arthritis.
Digestion is supported by the intake of niacin. This is because of niacin’s role in the breakdown of all three macronutrients into their energy-useable forms. Deficiency in niacin is linked to the development of gastrointestinal problems over time.
Niacin, or “vitamin B3,” is a crucial vitamin. As you can see, there are multiple benefits to be gained by increasing your intake of this specific vitamin. It’s recommended that you talk to your healthcare provider before taking any supplement, such as niacin, for the first time.