Niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin that is part of the B complex vitamins. It is necessary for maintaining healthy cells and producing fatty acids. It is found in a variety of foods and is often used as a supplement. Deficiency can cause pellagra. Niacinamide is used to treat many conditions, including heart disease and skin conditions. It is preferred over niacin because it does not cause skin flushing, but can cause itchiness, dry skin, and mild stomach upset in large doses.
Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide and nicotinic acid amide, is a water-soluble vitamin made from niacin in the body. When niacin exists in larger amounts than necessary, it is converted to niacinamide. Both niacin and niacinamide are part of the B complex vitamins, which make up vitamin B3. This vitamin is necessary to maintain healthy cells and to produce fatty acids.
Niacinamide is a component of the coenzymes called nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). It combines with them to convert glycogen into glucose and release energy from the body’s tissues. Other functions include helping to heal broken DNA strands and maintaining the proper functioning of the central nervous system.
Vitamin B3 is found in a wide variety of foods, including yeast, milk, fish, eggs, meat, beans, green vegetables, and grains. It is often combined with the other B vitamins as a supplement. Adequate amounts can usually be obtained by eating a healthy and varied diet.
Deficiency can cause a condition called pellagra. Symptoms of this disease include diarrhea, skin irritations, and dementia. This is not often seen today because many foods are fortified with vitamins. However, it was very common at the beginning of the 20th century.
Niacinamide is also used to treat many other conditions. In large amounts, it has been shown to help prevent heart disease and hardening of the arteries. This is because it lowers triglyceride levels in the blood. Studies have also shown that it can reduce the risk of a second heart attack. However, this only applies to men who have a history of heart or circulatory problems. It has also been found to lower blood pressure levels. A variety of age-related diseases, including macular degeneration and Alzheimer’s disease, are also sometimes treated with niacinamide.
Many topical preparations also contain niacinamide. Applied directly to the skin, it can help conditions such as rosacea and inflammatory acne vulgaris. Although it is a common ingredient in shampoos and moisturizers, its benefits are not proven.
The use of niacinamide is often preferred over niacin because it does not cause skin flushing, which is the most common side effect of niacin use. However, it has its own side effects, including itchiness, dry skin, and mild stomach upset. These mainly occur when the supplement is taken in large doses. They tend to lessen or disappear completely after a few weeks of treatment.
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