Vitamin B3 - An Extraordinary Vitamin for Your Health (Part 1)

Among all water-soluble vitamins, vitamin B3 is absolutely unique. Although we do not intend to describe every vitamin or substance (such as melatonin) here, in this case, an exception must be made. Why? Because of the remarkable practical properties of vitamin B3, also known as vitamin PP, which surpass most pharmaceutical drugs in terms of lipid management and protecting the body.

Forms of Vitamin B3

Vitamin B3 comes in two main forms:

• Niacin (nicotinic acid) - has nothing to do with nicotine in cigarettes.

• Niacinamide - does not cause the typical “skin flush” effect that often appears after taking niacin (around 1% of people may experience similar reactions).

Additionally, there are less common forms such as inositol hexanicotinate, as well as active forms of vitamin B3: nicotinamide riboside (NR), NMN, and NAD.

Why Niacin is Unique

Niacin stands out in practical and spectacular ways for health:

• Lowers total cholesterol.

• Lowers lipoprotein(a) - a risk factor for atherosclerosis.

• Raises HDL, the “good” cholesterol.

• Lowers triglycerides.

No statin produced by the pharmaceutical industry works so broadly without numerous side effects. It is worth noting that statins do not affect lipoprotein(a), do not raise HDL, and do not lower triglycerides, while their use may increase the risk of, for example, postoperative delirium in older adults.

Side Effects of Niacin and Safety of Use

The most common effect is skin flushing, which feels similar to sunburn. This is often accompanied by:

• Itching and burning of the skin.

• Possible dry mouth and mild dizziness (30-60 minutes).

• Drowsiness, especially at the start of supplementation.

These effects subside once the body develops tolerance, which is why niacin should be taken gradually, preferably with food and initially in small doses (50-100 mg daily). The dose can then be slowly increased to 500 mg three times a day if no unwanted symptoms occur.

The safety of high doses of vitamin B3 is well documented in medical practice — Dr. Abram Hoffer prescribed it to his patients in gram doses for decades without serious side effects, monitoring only the liver at doses above 1-1.5 g per day.

Source: Jerzy Zięba, Hidden Therapies