Modern advertising has made it seem like the miracle solution to losing weight and gaining muscle mass is always just around the corner. Unfortunately, many of the claims made by dietary supplement companies just aren’t accurate, making it difficult for dieters to tell the difference between legitimate, scientifically proven products and hoaxes. PS1000 contains a wide array of vitamins, amino acids, and other substances that have been proven to aid in improving metabolism and sustaining better overall health; niacin is just one of these substances.
What is Niacin?
Niacin, more commonly known as vitamin B3, is an essential part of the vitamin B complex along with thiamine, riboflavin, and other B vitamins. This vitamin comes in three different forms, known scientifically as nicotinic acid, Niacinamide, and Inositol hexaniacinate. Nicotinic acid is the form of niacin used supplementally to lower cholesterol and decrease the risk of heart disease, while Niacinamide is used primarily in the treatment of type 1 diabetes, schizophrenia, and certain skin conditions.
Niacin deficiency is a potentially serious health problem that can contribute to the development of pellagra, a deadly disease. Pellagra is characterized by a wide range of diverse symptoms, including diarrhea, dementia, poor concentration, anxiety, depression, and dermatitis. It can be avoided through consuming niacin-rich foods or niacin-based supplements, with those whose diet consists primarily of processed foods such as white bread, white flour, and corn syrup at the highest risk of developing a deficiency.
How Does Niacin Work?
Like all B vitamins, niacin is integral to the conversion of food into energy within the digestive tract. It performs this valuable function by lending a hand to the enzymes responsible for breaking down food, largely due to the fact that it is a major component of two enzymes involved in cellular metabolism known as NAD and NADP. It also acts as an antioxidant and plays a significant role in creating and repairing DNA.
Thanks to its antiatherogenic activity, niacin can also reduce the mobilization of the free fatty acids responsible for elevated cholesterol levels. Its ability to reduce the secretion of VLDL-P from the liver via its triglyceride-lowering effects makes it extremely valuable as a means of lowering bad cholesterol levels.
What Are the Suggested Levels of Niacin Consumption?
Physicians suggest that men consume at least 16 mg/day of niacin, while women should consume a minimum of 14 mg/day. It is possible for most consumers eating a healthy diet to get their recommended daily value of niacin through food alone, although those who eat primarily processed foods may want to consider a supplement.
What Foods Naturally Contain Niacin?
Meats such as turkey, chicken breast, liver, and grass-fed beef are all known to contain dietarily significant amounts of niacin. However, not all niacin-containing foods are derived from animal products. Peanuts, mushroom, green peas, sunflower seeds, and avocado are also known to contain trace levels of niacin.
How Do the Metabolic Benefits of Niacin Help With Weight Loss?
Niacin is vital for maintaining a healthy metabolism, particularly when it comes to balancing cholesterol levels. It is actually used in a wide array of medications and supplements designed to lower bad cholesterol, but those who are looking to lose weight can also benefit from improved metabolic function. By speeding up their metabolisms, dieters can expect to see better results.
What are the Dietary Applications for Niacin?
Niacin is included in the ps1000 diet supplement and other supplements aimed at improving weight loss outcomes primarily for its ability to assist in healthy food metabolism. It can also help to improve overall health and well-being through inducing lower cholesterol levels, preventing fat buildup, and reducing fatty substances in the blood. While vitamin B3 taken by itself is unlikely to have any impact on muscle formation or weight loss when it is combined with other essential vitamins and amino acids it can provide an effective means of controlling weight and reducing the health risks ordinarily associated with being overweight.
What are Some Other Benefits of Niacin?
Niacin is also known to aid in healthy brain function and skin formation and can even be used to treat and prevent diabetes. It is also known for its positive effects on the cardiovascular system and its role in increasing blood flow, helping it to improve joint flexibility and reduce the pain associated with arthritis.
Is it Safe?
Since niacin is water-soluble, consumers bodies are unable to store excess quantities of the vitamin. This makes it possible for the body to excrete excess niacin, helping to prevent overdose. However, large quantities of niacin are known to have certain negative health effects.
How is Dosage Determined?
Therapeutic doses of niacin taken in supplemental form are noticeably higher than those amounts recommended for daily dietary intake. Note that it is only safe to take large amounts of niacin under the supervision of a doctor. Dosage varies based on the patient’s age and gender, with men requiring more of the vitamin than women for maximum therapeutic benefit.
What are the Known Side Effects of Therapeutic Levels of Niacin?
There are several known side effects of consuming high doses of niacin. The most common, and least serious, of these, include nausea and vomiting. In rare cases, patients have also been known to develop a condition known as niacin flush, which causes a red coloration on their faces, chests, and necks accompanied by a tingling or burning sensation.
Those taking high doses of niacin over a prolonged period of time should go in for routine liver function testing, as slow-release nicotinic acid is known to cause liver damage in addition to stomach irritation due to elevated liver enzymes. Doses of more than three grams of niacin per day have also been linked to impaired blood sugar control and an increased risk of developing gout. On rare occasions, elevated niacin levels have also been shown to cause blurred vision and impaired ocular health.
On rare occasions, high levels of niacin can also cause unexplained muscle weakness, tenderness, and pain. As a result, most weight loss and muscle building supplements contain only a small amount of this vitamin.
Who Should Avoid Niacin?
Pregnant women should speak with their doctors prior to beginning treatment with any niacin-containing drug or supplement. It’s also important to note that niacin is able to pass into breast milk, although there have not been sufficient studies performed on its effect on children. It’s also important to note that older adults tend to process this and other vitamins more slowly, which can have a substantial effect on dosages and supplement schedules.
