"Niacin - Treat Migraines & Cholesterol"

By Kearney Adams

Niacin at a glance

What Is It?

What Does It Do?

Do I Need To Take It?

How Much Should I Take?

Are There Side Effects?

 Uh-oh, here comes another of those terrible Migraines.

They seem to be occurring to you more frequently , and nothing you take gives you relief.

How you wish you could find some 'magic' pill.
One that could make this devastating pain stop.

There is, and it comes in a form you would probably never think of. It is a common, everyday vitamin that provides many health benefits, including Migraine relief.

It's the 'B' vitamin known as Niacin.

What Is It?
good food sources of it are mushrooms, peanuts, and seafood

[Top]  Niacin, or Vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin of the 'B' family that can treat numerous conditions ranging from Migraines to lowering cholesterol.

What Does It Do?
it is also used to treat anxiety, depression, and insomnia

It Provides Migraine Relief

[Top]  Vitamin B3 has proven a useful treatment for Migraines. In fact, some physicians administer it intravenously as a Migraine begins.

Indeed, if you've ever taken high doses of Vitamin B3 before, you're probably noticed that flushing feeling occurring after taking it. That's because B3 causes blood to rush to the brain.

As a migraine begins, brain neurons start firing repeatedly. This causes an increase in the brain's blood flow, followed by a drop in blood flow. Consequently, this causes constriction of blood vessels, resulting in pain.

By virtue of Vitamin B3's ability to replenish the brain's blood supply, researchers think this somehow explains why B3 relieves Migraine pain.

It Reduces Cholesterol

[Top]   For years, scientists have known Niacin is effective in lowering 'bad' cholesterol levels, while raising good' cholesterol levels.

Additionally, scientists have discovered high triglyceride levels frequently accompany high cholesterol levels. Researchers think there may be a cause/effect relationship between these two blood components.

As a result, Vitamin B3 lowers cholesterol by blocking the release of triglycerides from body fat while preventing the liver from making more triglycerides from blood sugar.

This explains why Vitamin B3 works its' cholesterol-lowering magic.

A report from the Doctor's Guide website states that taking niacin extended-release tablets in conjunction with a statin medication was more effective than taking a high-dose statin alone.

The site states that when these two were taken together, they were better at increasing good cholesterol levels, while lowering bad cholesterol levels. Additionally, they performed a better job of lowering triglyceride levels.


Other Conditions It May Help With
[Top]  
  • It may prevent a second heart attack

  • It may reduce the risk of developing hardening of the arteries

  • Arthritis pain

  • Age-related macular degeneration

  • Fatigue

  • Digestion disorders, including diarrhea, constipation, and indigestion.

Other Metabolic Functions

[Top]  The body needs it for numerous tasks, including:

  • Maintaining normal functioning of nerves, skin, and digestive system

  • Dilating blood vessels

  • Preventing premenstrual headaches

  • Treating Pellagra, a disease characterized by a Niacin deficiency

  • Improving memory

  • Elevating mood

among others.

Who Needs Vitamin B3?
by increasing circulation, it may improve your sexual functioning

[Top]  Some individuals may need supplementation with Vitamin B3, including:
  • Those over 55 years old

  • Diabetics

  • Pregnant or breast-feeding women

  • Individuals participating in strenuous physical activity

  • Infants born with metabolic errors

  • Individuals experiencing prolonged stress
How Much Should I Take?
it is also known as nicotinic acid, but is not related to nicotine in tobacco

Recommended Dosages

[Top]  100 milligrams, four times daily, will raise HDL cholesterol. Taking an aspirin or Quercetin ahead of time can minimize flushing.

Infants
0-6 months 2 milligrams
7-12 months 4 milligrams

Children
1-3 years 6 milligrams
4-8 years 8 milligrams

Males
9-13 years 12 milligrams
14-18 years 16 milligrams
19-30 years 16 milligrams
31-50 years 16 milligrams
51-70 years 16 milligrams
> 70 years 16 milligrams

Females
9-13 years 12 milligrams
14-18 years 14 milligrams
19-30 years 14 milligrams
31-50 years 14 milligrams
51-70 years 14 milligrams
> 70 14 milligrams

Pregnancy
< 18 years 18 milligrams
19-30 years 18 milligrams
31-50 years 18 milligrams

Lactation
> 18 years 17 milligrams
19-30 years 17 milligrams
31-50 years 17 milligrams

Pellagra may be treated by 500 milligrams of Vitamin B3 daily.

Are There Any Side Effects?
a mild deficiency slows your metabolism, causing decreased tolerance to cold

[Top]  You should not take Locholest, Prevalite, Colestid, or Questran at the same time you take this vitamin. You should take these medicines 4 to 6 hours before or after taking Niacin.

Before taking Vitamin B3, inform your physician if you have any of the following conditions:

  • Kidney or Liver disease

  • A Stomach Ulcer

  • Diabetes

  • Any muscle disorder such as Myasthenia Gravis

  • Gout

  • Heart disease or Angina
It may be harmful to unborn children when taken in high doses.

In conclusion, we've briefly touched on some of the many health benefits of Vitamin B3.

It truly is an amazing vitamin, and one that may prove to be a beneficial treatment for whatever medical concerns you may have.

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