Vitamin B-3 (Niacin)

The need for niacin was first establish as a consequence of the discovery of a severe disease. This disease, called pellagra or rough skin was originally described by a Spanish physician during the 18^th century. Pellagra was well known to American physicians of the early 20^th century, since it was at that time one of the leading causes of illness and death. However, pellagra was unique compared to most of the diseases of that era. It is exclusively a disease of poor diet, the consequence of the refinement of whole grains, corn, and trice. Pellagra is a sort of final proof, however crude and destructive, that “man cannot live on bread alone” _ white bread that is.

Niacin is readily absorbed throughout most of the small intestine. However, mental stress, alcohol/drug abuse, prescription drugs, and processed foods all cause niacin depletion. Since little niacin is stored in the body, a deficiency may rapidly occur. As a result, tissue levels must be continually replenished.

Niacin is essential for fat metabolism, transport, and digestion. It helps mobilize fat from adipose tissue so that it can be burned as energy. It prevents the buildup of cholesterol within the liver and arteries and is a natural cholesterol lowering agent. Niacin is also involved in the synthesis of the protective fatty covering of the nerves, the myelin sheath.

Niacin exists in nature in several forms. The most well researched are nicotinic acid and niacin amide. The amino acid tryptophan may be regarded as a form of niacin, since, if niacin stores are depleted, it is readily converted into the vitamin. Thus, a diet rich in tryptophan may provide sufficient niacin, even though the diet is low in the actual vitamin. This is why corn rich diets induce niacin deficiency, since corn is low in both niacin and tryptophan. Additionally, small amounts of niacin are synthesized in the intestines by normal bacterial flora. top sources of tryptophan include red meats, poultry, fish, cheese, eggs, and sesame seeds. Excellent sources of niacin include organ meats, fresh muscle meats, rice polishings, eggs, and cheeses.

Which of these apply to you?

1. lack of appetite

2. muscular weakness

3. indigestion

4. loss of memory and/or mental acuity

5. depression

6. patches of dry scaly skin (rough skin)

7. chronic diarrhea

8. chronic fatigue

9. bad breath

10. emotional instability

11. insomnia

12. chronic headaches

13. vague abdominal pains

14. dementia/senility

15. dermatitis, especially of hands and/or face

16. sore tongue and/or mouth

17. rectal irritation

18. irritability and/or anxiety

19. psychotic behavior

20. mood swings

21. chronic joint pain and stiffness (arthritis)

22. black coloration of the tongue

23. rough patches of skin in the mouth

24. large brown blotches on the skin

25. Do you consume, on average, one or more alcoholic drinks per day?

26. Is your cholesterol level greater than 230 (untreated)?

27. Do you have a history of cocaine, crack, or heroin abuse?

28. Do you have a history of manic-depressive syndrome or schizophrenia?

29. Do you consume refined sugar on a daily or weekly basis?

30. Do you have a duodenal ulcer, or have you had your duodenum removed?

31. Do you consume corn as a major part of your diet (Mexicans, vegetarians, etc)?

32. Do you have low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria)?

33. Do you have undigested food in the stood?

34. Do you have neurological disease manifested by a loss of sensation, nerve inflammation, and/or nerve damage?

35. Do you have bald spots on the tongue?

36. Do you have deep fissures (trenches) in the tongue?

37. Do you have dermatitis/inflammation of the scrotum?

Your Score ___

1 to 7 points Mild niacin deficiency: Mental disturbances, such as depression and memory loss, are the most likely consequences of mild niacin deficiency. Fatigue is also a common symptom. Correct this by taking a multiple vitamin tablet containing niacin and by consuming niacin rich foods, particularly brown rice, tuna, trout, salmon, halibut, peanuts butter, poultry, and liver. Additionally, take 2 heaping tablespoons of rice polishings daily.

8 to 14 points Moderate niacin deficiency: this degree of niacin deficiency is usually the consequence of a high sugar diet. Refined grains and alcohol are other major niacin destroyers. Niacin is of crucial importance in energy metabolism. Without it, the body’s fuels-sugars, starches, and fats-cannot be utilized by the cells, that is burned as fuel. The result is the accumulation of sugars and/or fats within the blood stream. This is the reason that niacin has been utilized as a heart drug. In pharmaceutical dosages it helps reduce abnormally high blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. To correct the niacin deficit, take a B-complex tablet containing niacin twice daily. Additionally, consume 3 heaping tablespoons of rice polishings twice daily. Supplement the diet with niacin-rich foods and avoid refined sugars, white flour, refined corn products, white rice, and alcohol.

15 and above Severe niacin deficiency: Warning-severe niacin deficiency is associated with a increased incidence of a variety of diseases, including high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, dementia, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and arthritis. To correct this deficit, take a B-complex capsule or tablet morning and night along with 250 mg of niacin. In addition, take 4 to 6 heaping tablespoons of rice polishings three or four times daily and consume hefty helpings of niacin rich foods. Strictly avoid all alcoholic beverages and refined sugars.