Vitamin B3, also known as niacin, is one of the B vitamins and plays an important role in maintaining the health of the body. One of the most important benefits of vitamin B3 is that it helps keep the nervous system and digestive system working properly. It also plays an important role in maintaining healthy skin and emotional well-being.

 

Vitamin B3 - properties and benefits

 

• Lowers LDL cholesterol

Since the 50s, vitamin B3 has been prescribed by doctors to treat high cholesterol. It seems that vitamin B3 can reduce LDL cholesterol, popularly known as "bad" cholesterol, by 5-20%.
 

• Increases good HDL cholesterol

Vitamin B3 not only reduces "bad" LDL cholesterol, but also increases "good" HDL cholesterol. Studies have shown that niacin increases HDL cholesterol levels by 15-35%.
 

• It reduces the level of triglycerides

In addition to those listed, vitamin B3 has the ability to reduce triglyceride levels by 20-50%. This vitamin stops the action of an enzyme involved in the synthesis of triglycerides. In this way, the production of both LDL cholesterol and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) is reduced.
 

• It can help prevent heart disease

By reducing cholesterol, vitamin B3 can automatically help prevent heart disease. It can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, both of which are known to cause atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.
 

• It can help treat type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.

Researchers have found that vitamin B3 may help protect those essential cells, which automatically can reduce the risk of type 1 diabetes in predisposed children. However, in the case of people with type 2 diabetes, the role of niacin is more complicated. On the one hand, it can help lower high cholesterol levels, a symptom often seen in people with type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, it can increase blood sugar levels.

That's why people with diabetes who take vitamin B3 to reduce cholesterol must check their blood sugar carefully.
 

• Improves brain function

Vitamin B3 is important for the brain, as part of the coenzymes NAD and NADP. NAD has a central role in cellular metabolism and cellular energy production.

In fact, it seems that niacin deficiency can cause so-called "brain fog" and even some mental problems. Specialists recommend vitamin B3 for some types of schizophrenia, because this vitamin helps to reverse the damage to brain cells that occurs as a result of the deficiency.
 

• It can improve the symptoms of arthritis

The researchers found out from a study that vitamin B3 contributed to the improvement of some symptoms of osteoarthritis. Specifically, patients with osteoarthritis had better joint mobility and took less non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) due to niacin.

Although the results are promising, more research is needed in this direction.
 

• Treats pellagra

Pellagra is a condition caused by a serious deficiency of vitamin B3. That is why the main treatment for pellagra is based on vitamin B3. Niacin deficiency is rare in developed countries. However, this deficiency is observed in some people who have certain health problems, such as alcoholism, anorexia or Hartnup's disease.