- All B vitamins are water-soluble. They help to convert carbohydrates, fats, and protein into energy, or glucose.
- B vitamins are necessary for keeping the liver, skin, hair, and eyes healthy. They also play a role in the nervous system, and they are needed for good brain function.
- The B vitamins are sometimes called anti-stress vitamins, because they boost the body’s immune system in times of stress.
- Vitamin B3 plays a role in converting the food we eat into energy. It helps the body to use proteins and fats, and it keeps the skin, hair, and nervous system healthy.
- It helps in lowering triglycerides and improve HDL cholesterol.
- It is anti-inflammatory and antioxidative.
Foods
- Fish – Tuna
- Chicken
- Liver
- Certain Mushrooms
- Brown rice
- Peanuts
- Avocados
- Green Peas
- Sweet Potatoes
Supplementation
- Some people have combined vitamin B-3 with statin use as a treatment to control cholesterol. However, niacin is only effective as a cholesterol treatment at fairly high doses. These doses could pose risks, such as liver damage, gastrointestinal problems, or glucose intolerance.
- In addition, niacin is a treatment for pellagra, a rare condition that develops from niacin deficiency.
*Do read the Disclaimer
References:
Niacin (Vitamin B3) : Benefits, Dosage, Sources, Risks (webmd.com)
Vitamin B-3 (niacin): Deficiency symptoms, uses, and suggested intake (medicalnewstoday.com)
Top 10 Foods Highest in Vitamin B3 (Niacin) (myfooddata.com)