DOC I HAVE VITAMIN B3 DEFICIENCY
Vitamin B3(Niacin) Deficiency is a medical condition caused by the deficiency of the human
body of Vitamin B3 as a result of inadequate dietary intake or impaired absorption.
Vitamin B3 is present in all living human tissues as an important anti-oxidant and enzymes in the metabolism of food
Functions of Vitamin B3:
1.It helps the body make various sex and stress-related hormones in the adrenal glands and
other parts of the body.
2.It has a role in improving circulation and reducing cholesterol levels in the blood.
Niacin has been used to lower LDL or bad cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
It also increase the HDL or good cholesterol.
In fact it is even better than many branded cholesterol lowering medicines.
3.Because of its effect on the cholesterol and fats, it has been given to help prevent atherosclerosis. However niacin can also increase homocysteine levels in the blood which is associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
4.Osteoarthritis-it has been suggested that niacinamide can help relief arthritis and improve joint mobility and symptoms
5.Azheimer's Disease -studies show that people with higher niacin levels in the diet has lower risk of Alzeimer's disease.
6.Skin conditions - topical forms of niacin has been used as treatment foe acne, aging skin and
prevention of skin cancer.
7.All B vitamins help the body to metabolize food (carbohydrates, proteins, fats) into fuel (glucose, amino acids, cholesterol) and therefore improve energy.
Vitamin B3 is found primarily in
1.animal sources - beef liver, beef kidney, fish, salmon, swordfish, tuna
Foods that contain tryptophan, an amino acid the body converts into niacin, include poultry, red
meat, eggs, and dairy products.
2.vegetable sources: Vitamin B2 is found in fresh green and yellow vegetables, yeast, cereals,sunflower seeds,and peanuts
Optimal requirements of Vitamin B3 are:
1.adults and children above puberty: 14 mg to 16 mg daily
Pregnant mother and elderly may need double the amount.
2.Infants and children before puberty: 2 mg to 12 mg daily
Causes of Vitamin B3 Deficiency:
Vitamin B3 Deficiency occurs
1.when there is Vitamin B3 deficiencies due to
a.diet - starvation,lactating mothers should take more Vitamin B3
b.malabsorption as in celiac syndrome, sprue or hepatitic cirrhosis
2.Severity of Vitamin B32 deficiency is inversely related to age.
It is more common in elderly people.
3.It is rare for any person in the developed world to have vitamin B3 deficiency.
The main cause in the developed world is alcoholism.
Symptoms of Vitamin B3 Deficiency:
1.Vitamin B3 Deficiency is a silent disease in the early stages.
People with Vitamin B3 Deficiency often do not know that they have the condition.
They may have:
2.indigestion
3.fatigue
4.depression
In severe Vitamin B3 deficiency, a condition called pellegra develops with the following symptoms(the 3 D):
1.dermatitis -cracked scaly skin
2.dementia - mental confusion
3.diarrhea - loose stools
Other symptoms are burning sensation in the mouth and a swollen red bright red tongue.
Diagnosis of Vitamin B3 Deficiency:
1.Blood Vitamin B3 levels are low
Treatment of Vitamin B3 Deficiency:
The goal of Vitamin B3 Deficiency treatment is the prevention of pellegra.
Therefore, prevention of Vitamin B3 Deficiency is as important as treatment. Vitamin B3 Deficiency treatment and prevention measures are:
Medications:
Vitamin B3 supplements- 3 types are available:
niacin, niacinamide or inositol hexaniacinate
Vitamin B3 is given at 100 mg per day orally until the response is adequate.
Side effects are:
1.Vitamin B3 in high doses can give rise to side effects sucha s flushing of the face, stomach
upset, headache, giddiness and blurring of vision.
2. There is also a danger of liver damage.
It can interact with cholesterol lowering drugs, aspirin,blood pressure and diabetes medicines
Prognosis of Vitamin B3 Deficiency:
1.good response to treatment in Vitamin B3 deficiency in early stages.
2.treat underlying cause such as malabsorption to get a good response in the treatment of Vitamin B3 Deficiency.
Prevention of Vitamin B3 Deficiency:
1.take more liver, egg yolks, cereals and fresh green vegetables.
2.avoid alcohol.
Vitamin B3(Niacin) Deficiency is a medical condition caused by the deficiency of the human
body of Vitamin B3 as a result of inadequate dietary intake or impaired absorption.
Vitamin B3 is present in all living human tissues as an important anti-oxidant and enzymes in the metabolism of food
Functions of Vitamin B3:
1.It helps the body make various sex and stress-related hormones in the adrenal glands and
other parts of the body.
2.It has a role in improving circulation and reducing cholesterol levels in the blood.
Niacin has been used to lower LDL or bad cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
It also increase the HDL or good cholesterol.
In fact it is even better than many branded cholesterol lowering medicines.
3.Because of its effect on the cholesterol and fats, it has been given to help prevent atherosclerosis. However niacin can also increase homocysteine levels in the blood which is associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
4.Osteoarthritis-it has been suggested that niacinamide can help relief arthritis and improve joint mobility and symptoms
5.Azheimer's Disease -studies show that people with higher niacin levels in the diet has lower risk of Alzeimer's disease.
6.Skin conditions - topical forms of niacin has been used as treatment foe acne, aging skin and
prevention of skin cancer.
7.All B vitamins help the body to metabolize food (carbohydrates, proteins, fats) into fuel (glucose, amino acids, cholesterol) and therefore improve energy.
Vitamin B3 is found primarily in
1.animal sources - beef liver, beef kidney, fish, salmon, swordfish, tuna
Foods that contain tryptophan, an amino acid the body converts into niacin, include poultry, red
meat, eggs, and dairy products.
2.vegetable sources: Vitamin B2 is found in fresh green and yellow vegetables, yeast, cereals,sunflower seeds,and peanuts
Optimal requirements of Vitamin B3 are:
1.adults and children above puberty: 14 mg to 16 mg daily
Pregnant mother and elderly may need double the amount.
2.Infants and children before puberty: 2 mg to 12 mg daily
Causes of Vitamin B3 Deficiency:
Vitamin B3 Deficiency occurs
1.when there is Vitamin B3 deficiencies due to
a.diet - starvation,lactating mothers should take more Vitamin B3
b.malabsorption as in celiac syndrome, sprue or hepatitic cirrhosis
2.Severity of Vitamin B32 deficiency is inversely related to age.
It is more common in elderly people.
3.It is rare for any person in the developed world to have vitamin B3 deficiency.
The main cause in the developed world is alcoholism.
Symptoms of Vitamin B3 Deficiency:
1.Vitamin B3 Deficiency is a silent disease in the early stages.
People with Vitamin B3 Deficiency often do not know that they have the condition.
They may have:
2.indigestion
3.fatigue
4.depression
In severe Vitamin B3 deficiency, a condition called pellegra develops with the following symptoms(the 3 D):
1.dermatitis -cracked scaly skin
2.dementia - mental confusion
3.diarrhea - loose stools
Other symptoms are burning sensation in the mouth and a swollen red bright red tongue.
Diagnosis of Vitamin B3 Deficiency:
1.Blood Vitamin B3 levels are low
Treatment of Vitamin B3 Deficiency:
The goal of Vitamin B3 Deficiency treatment is the prevention of pellegra.
Therefore, prevention of Vitamin B3 Deficiency is as important as treatment. Vitamin B3 Deficiency treatment and prevention measures are:
Medications:
Vitamin B3 supplements- 3 types are available:
niacin, niacinamide or inositol hexaniacinate
Vitamin B3 is given at 100 mg per day orally until the response is adequate.
Side effects are:
1.Vitamin B3 in high doses can give rise to side effects sucha s flushing of the face, stomach
upset, headache, giddiness and blurring of vision.
2. There is also a danger of liver damage.
It can interact with cholesterol lowering drugs, aspirin,blood pressure and diabetes medicines
Prognosis of Vitamin B3 Deficiency:
1.good response to treatment in Vitamin B3 deficiency in early stages.
2.treat underlying cause such as malabsorption to get a good response in the treatment of Vitamin B3 Deficiency.
Prevention of Vitamin B3 Deficiency:
1.take more liver, egg yolks, cereals and fresh green vegetables.
2.avoid alcohol.
