The niacin is also known as the vitamin B3, vitamin PP and nicotine. The niacin defiance is related to the malnutrition, poverty or chronic alcoholism. It can also be more apparent in the places where the maize is eaten as the staple food since maize is low in niacin. When the maize is being cooked, the bioavailability of the niacin can be increased by using the nixtamalization technique. The people with niacin deficiency have low tolerance to cold. When the niacin deficiency is too pronounced, the person can begin to suffer the dermatitis, dementia and dermatitis. Some time the people also suffer the lower neck lesions, thickening of the skin, hyperpigmentation and inflation of the tongue or the mouth. There is also cases of digestive disturbances, delirium, amnesia and death if there is no immediate action taken against the deficiency. People who are suffering from the alcoholic pellagra can suffer more if it is combined wit the vitamin B deficiency.
With any other medicine or any other supplement, people who are using the niacin can have different niacin side effects which sometime can go at their own while others can need to be treated or to stop the niacin. You can suffer the following when you are taking the niacin.
- flushing of the trunk and the face
- tingling, itching and burning
- headaches
- diarrhea
- nausea or vomiting
- heartburn and indigestion
The above are just some of the niacin side effects, there are others and the doctor is in the right position to tell you what to expect when taking the niacin. However, if you take some steps you will be able to reduce or to avoid the occurrence of the niacin side effects.
You have to begin with a low dosage and to increase it after sometime. You can also use the dosage in more than one dosage. For example instead of taking the 500 mg dose at once you can take it twice in 250 mg dose. Taking the aspirin at least 30 minutes before taking the niacin, you will be able to reduce some side effects such as itching and flushing. Do not take the beverages such as hot tea and coffee when you are taking the niacin since it can increase the chances of flushing. There are two types of the niacin such as extended release and sustained release which will release the nicotinic acid into the body slowly therefore reducing the niacin side effects.
There are many factors to consider when taking the niacin dosage. The doctor has first to assess your medical condition, your reaction to the niacin, any other medication you may be taking, and other medical conditions you may be having. For children the recommended dosage is 2mg for the infants while a pregnant woman can take up to 18 mg in prevention of the pellagra. The niacin to treat the pellagra can range from 100 mg up to 50 mg everyday. The niacin can be taken from 100 mg when the patient begins to take it up to 1000 mg according to his tolerance.
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