Some Facts About Niacin

Some Facts About Niacin

Niacin is often greatly effective in reversing sensory dysperceptions  such as hallucinations, delusional minds and disturbance of mood and energy, Severe niacin deficiency is demonstrated by “four D’s “ namely diarrhea,  dermatitis or skin inflammation, dementia or madness and ultimately death.

Psychological Signs of Niacin Deficiency

The primary noticeable symptoms of niacin deficiency are completely psychological. Victims may experience feeling of fear, apprehensions, suspicions  and excessive worries with a gloomy, downcast, angry and depressed outflash. They may experience head aches,  insomnia, loss of strength and burning sensation all over the body. Their depression may range from “Blue Mondays”  to the wish to end it all. They may become alienated secluses who maintain a marginal existence by determinedly avoiding the stress of life.

In some cases of niacin deficiency may act to dull the moral responsibilities adversely affecting the individual’s behavior. In most people, niacin deficiency causes depression or inability to concentrate. In others it may be the underlying cause of thoughtless promiscuity, pathological lying or petty thievery.

Physical Signs of Niacin Deficiency 

In mild niacin deficiency, the tip of the tonque is usually reddened from engorgement with blood, and the taste buds on the tonque’s surface are enlarged, giving a stippled appearance, the characteristic “strawberry tip.”  Farther back, the tonque is coated white with bacterial growth and debris oftenly giving a foul mouth odor,  As the deficiency becomes chronic, deep midline cracks and crevices appear. Later, the tonque becomes red and swollen all over, accompanied by dental indentations of the margin, lending it a scalloped appearance.  Finally, the enlarged taste buds atrophy, with loss substance, and the tonque’s  surface develops a glossy,  bald appearance. The mouth becomes sore, the gums swollen and painful.

There is also a presence of digestive disturbance in early niacin deficiency. The stomach secretes little or no hydrochloric acid, absorption of nutrients is impaired, and the person has excessive gas and poorly formed, foul-smelling tool.  With niacin deficiency, food cannot be digested efficiently thus recovery is slow. Yogurt in copious quantities is at first helpful because it supplies predigested proteins along with acidophilus bacteria to restore the normal gut flora, which make niacin deficiency and other B Vitamins for us.

In more severe niacin deficiency, dermatitis or inflammation of skin develops symmetrically on exposed areas. At first, becoming slightly reddened, the skin itches and burns intensely, then becomes tense and swollen and eventually atrophies, its color fading to brown. Darkening of the skin which is often seen among the elderlies is partially due to niacin deficiency.

Conditions Wherein Niacin Should  Be Avoided

• Persons taking medication for high blood pressure  cannot at the same time take niacin safely, as a full dose may cause a marked drop in blood pressure.

• Nicotinic acid should also be avoided in active ulcer disease due to niacin’s acidity.

• Because niacin raises the uric acid level in the body, it may bring  on  an attack in those suffering from gout. And since Niacin raises blood sugar, diabetics may need to increase their insulin. For the same reason, hypoglycemics or a condition pertaining to low blood sugar  are often helped by Niacin.

• Person with active liver disease should avoid larger doses of Niacin.

Sources of Niacin

The recommended daily allowance for men is 18 milligrams, 13 milligrams for women, 9 to 16 milligrams for children.

Food which are rich sources of Niacin are as follows :

Lean meats (not pork)

Poultry

Fish

Peanuts

Brewer’s yeast

Wheat germ

Dessicated liver

SOURCE :

VITAMIN SECRETS Published by ROGEN INTERNATIONAL