Health Benefits of Niacin

Niacin, or vitamin B3, is one of the essential B-complex water-soluble vitamins that the body needs to turn food into energy. 

Niacin is naturally present in many foods and is available in supplement and prescription form, so it’s easy to get enough niacin and reap its health benefits. Tissues in the body convert niacin into a usable coenzyme called nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), which is used by more than 400 enzymes in the body to perform essential functions.

Following are the health benefits of Niacin:

1. It helps control cholesterol levels

Sometimes niacin is prescribed alongside cholesterol-lowering medications like statins to help normalize blood lipid levels. It can increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which is the healthy kind of cholesterol, by 15% to 35%. And it can decrease low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the bad cholesterol, by 5% to 25%. 

2. It may lower blood pressure

Small clinical trials of using niacin have shown it has significant blood pressure lowering effects in people with hypertension. 

3. It may improve mental health

Studies have documented reduced cerebral blood flow in depressed patients and improved cerebral blood flow following antidepressant treatment. Niacin is believed to increase cerebral blood flow, so there is potential to use niacin supplementation along with prescription antidepressants.

4. It’s good for the skin

Niacin is a great supplement for the skin. It can help protect skin cells from sun damage, clear acne when applied topically, and reduce redness and inflammation. Vitamin B3 in the formulation of niacinamide is often used as a natural topical skincare treatment to clear acne. 

5. It may help manage migraines

Niacin may prevent migraine symptoms by widening the intracranial vessels and following contractions of the extracranial vessels.

6. It promotes joint health

Vitamin B3 in the form of niacinamide has been shown to increase joint mobility and decrease joint pain, inflammation, and swelling. Because of its anti-inflammatory effect on joints, niacin may serve as a good treatment option for people with arthritis.

7. It may protect against Alzheimer’s Disease 

In a study published by the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, dietary niacin was concluded to be a possible protector against Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive decline. A higher intake of niacin may be associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline over time.

8. It’s good for digestion 

Niacin is great for the digestive system because vitamin B3 helps break down nutrients like carbs and fats into energy. 

9. It may prevent birth defects

Preliminary research indicates that niacin may help prevent nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) birth defects in humans and lower overall birth defect rates.

10. It may improve erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to get or keep an erection. Because niacin helps improve blood flow, it may also be good for impotence. In a study published by the Journal of Sexual Medicine, a daily dose of up to 1,500 mg of niacin was enough to improve sexual function among men who had both ED and dyslipidemia. Men with dyslipidemia were studied because dyslipidemia is closely related to ED.

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