Vitamin B3 is an important member of the B-complex family. Vitamin B3 facilitates the processes involved in metabolizing fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Vitamin B3 is found in a large variety of foods in small amounts. However, large amounts of vitamin B3 can be found in meat and dairy products. Vitamin B3 is a water soluble nutrient which means that the body does not naturally store it. It has to be replaced in the body every day. It is rare to come across anyone with a vitamin B3 deficiency today. In the United States, alcoholism is the prime cause of vitamin B3 deficiency.
The Top Five Signs of Deficiency of Vitamin B3 are:
- muscular fatigue and a general tiredness
- loss of memory and an inability to concentrate.
- emotional disturbances like mood swings and irritability.
- severe loss of appetite
- poor skin and mucous membranes.
- gastro-intestinal symptoms like diarrhea.
Common sources of vitamin B3 are:
- Meat
- Milk
- Seeds
- Beans
- Green vegetables
Vitamin B3 is available in different supplement forms like niacinamide, niacin, and inositol hexaniacinate. Niacin is available either as a tablet or as a capsule in both regular and time-release forms. The time-release tablets and capsules may have fewer side effects than the regular niacin.
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