What is Vitamin B3?
Niacin, also known as Vitamin B3, has superpowers:
- Niacin is great to treat high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It can reduce risk of heart attack and slow the narrowing of your arteries.
- It helps the nervous system, digestion, and skin.
- Prescription niacin is used to increase HDL cholesterol.
- It may also lower blood pressure. (Studies have shown it may lower blood pressure when administered over a long period of time.)
- For biohacking, NAD is important for healthspan and lifespan. Scientific studies have shown that NAD levels improved with Vitamin B3 supplements and improved muscle performance.
However, be aware of the negatives — it may worsen allergies, gallbladder health, disease, and blood glucose control if diabetic. Be careful if you have liver disease or you’re pregnant. Flushing is common. Many discuss avoiding alcohol, as it may increase your risk of liver damage and worsen the flushing.
How Do You Get Vitamin B3?
You can eat it. It is found in food like yeast, milk, meat, cereals. Be careful if you have liver disease, gastric ulcers, or severe low blood pressure. Niacin can interact with some medications. Blood testing can be done to monitor your liver function and blood sugar.
IV supplementation via B complex. Be aware how much you are getting, as many nutritional supplements contain niacin or nicotinamide — you don’t want to be double dipping.
If deficient, you can see pellagra. Deficiency has been related to birth defects.
But also, we aware of an excessively high level. If you are high, you may see skin flushing, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, itching, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, gout (it increases uric acid), liver damage, or diabetes. These are seen if you take between 2,000 to 6,000 mg a day.
How Can Biohackr Health Help?
Testing: Micronutrient testing will let you know your current levels of Vitamin B (and other essential vitamins). We can also check your liver function tests and glucose levels.
NAD: We can test your levels of NAD, and supplement with IV or oral supplements.
IV supplements for B complex.
