In general, Niacin is often deficient in the elderly. This is because the metabolism of older individuals become weaker, and the ability to absorb nutrients from the regular food sources is decreased as well. Therefore, some Niacin (as well as other vitamin B) is recommended for people who are over 55 years of age.
The following people may also have an deficiency in niacin:
Women that are pregnant or breastfeeding
People who abuse alcohol or other drugs
People with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake
People with increased nutritional requirements (e.g. under work / study stress, athletes in training)
People with a chronic wasting illness, such as malignancies, pancreatic insufficiency, cirrhosis of the liver, spruce etc...
People born with metabolism problems
Food Sources of Niacin
As all B vitamins, niacin is commonly deficient from our normal food resources. Foods high in niacin are:
Beef Liver, White Meat (Chicken, Salmon, Tuna etc.), Peanuts, Yeast, soy flour and brown rice.
Studies have indicated second hand smokers are likely to be deficient in all vitamins especially Vitamin C, Vitmain B complex, and Vitamin E. Therefore, if you have a smoker in the family, consider taking some extra vitamin supplements to avoid deficiency and keep healthy.
A deficiency in niacin results in Pellagra, which signs are inflammation of the skin, diarrhea, dementia, dermatitis, and hallucinations. Frequent causes of a deficiency include a poor diet, isoniazid therapy (used in the treatment of tuberculosis) and carcinoid tumors. Rarely a deficiency can occur in the presence of hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, cirrhosis, pregnancy or lactation.
The following is a list of most common Niacin deficiency symptoms:
1). Loss of appetite
2). Swollen, red tongue
3). Delirium
4). Skin lesions, including rashes, dry scaly skin, wrinkles, coarse skin texture
5). Indigestion
6). Diarrhea
7). Irritability
8). Dizziness
9). Headaches
Vitamin B3 Niacin and Cholesterol Lowering Effect
Doctors have know for many years that large doses of niacin - between 2g to 3g a day - lower bad LDL cholesterol and triglycerids and raise good HDL cholesterol. This will definitely decreases your risk of a heart attack. In fact, pharmacological doses of nicotinic acid, but not nicotinamide, have been known to reduce serum cholesterol since 1955. A study had been done where 8,000 men with previous heart attacks for 6 years were followed and studied. In the group that took 3 grams of nicotinic acid daily, total blood cholesterol decreased by an average of 10%, triglycerides decreased by 26%, recurrent nonfatal myocardial infarction decreased by 27%, and cerebrovascular events (stroke + transient ischemic attacks) decreased by 26% compared to the placebo group.
A recent randomized controlled trial found that a combination of nicotinic acid (2 to 3 grams/day) and a cholesterol-lowering drug (simvastatin) resulted in greater benefits on serum HDL levels and cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke, than placebo in patients with coronary artery disease and low HDL levels.
Vitamin B3 Niacin Supplements
Niacin is sold in tablet and capsule forms. Multivitamins contain about 25 to 50 milligrams of niacinamide (or sometimes nicotinic acid); B-complex supplements contain 50 to 100 milligrams of niacinamide; and a single niacin supplement usually contains 500 milligrams. For normal daily supplements, it's recommended to take either a complete multi-vitamin or a complete B-complex vitamin.
