Niacin Side Effects

It is among the eight essential B vitamins that the human body needs and niacin side effects are common if there is a shortfall of this nutrient. Niacin deficiency is seen in undernourished people and those who are greatly addicted to alcohol. However, there are also other causes due to which the medication has to be prescribed by the doctors.

It is generally seen that the symptoms are found more in people who live in poverty and who do not have a good square meal even once a day. The deficiency has also been recorded in people who have habituated on the consumption of maize or products which are made out of it.

Is low Niacin a nutritional disorder?

Niacin is an important organic compound that is found in certain foods and is better known as vitamin B complex. In fact, niacin is one of the essential 8 B vitamins that the human body must have for keeping the general level of health in good condition. Severe deficiency of niacin can cause several side effects.

There are different kinds of nutrients which the human body needs to sustain its proper functioning. Niacin side effects are caused due to the lack of this vitamin in the body and have to be treated immediately by a physician before it gets too serious. As far the benefits are concerned the vitamin performs several functions including improving the circulation within the body system.

Niacin which occurs naturally in certain diets is not taken due to the ignorance of the people or due to lack of it. Thus, niacin in the medication form is used to treat in cases where there is a shortage of the same in a person. Niacin is required for a good robust and healthy skin, good hair, eyes with clear vision and above all a properly functioning lever. Above all it also helps the body’s central nervous system perform smoothly. Niacin is seen as both fat soluble and water soluble.

Advantages of Niacin as a medication

Niacin is taken into the body system through consumption of whole cereal and other foods. Some foods like the corn or maize is found to be the only grain that has low levels of this vitamin. The function of niacin is to help the body to convert carbohydrates which are consumed through food into glucose. Glucose is the fuel source of the human body which is used to produce the much needed energy for the system to perform with optimum satisfaction.

Niacin side effects are reactions related to the intake of the vitamin into the body system in the form of medicine. These can be treated if prompt medical attention is given to the patient. Niacin as stated earlier is water soluble and this in essence means that the human body does not store the nutrient and the excess is discharged from the system through urine.

Alcohol intake is one of the prime reasons for the deficiency of this vitamin and therefore the patient has to be hospitalized if he or she develops symptoms due to it. Medication is administered when the body is rid of the alcohol as the medicine can have severe reaction due to its combination with alcohol.

The vitamin provides immense help for the adrenal gland in producing various stress related hormones as well as sex related hormones too. The effect is the same for the other parts of the body as it lowers cholesterol level and in lowering chances of heart attacks. This is especially so for those patients who have had a heart attack previously. Slow metabolism rate is mainly due to the low level of niacin and hence by taking the vitamin the body can resume its metabolic activities as before. Apart from these niacin is also used for treating coronary artery diseases and it has been found to be successful here too.

What are the Niacin side effects

In a previous post, I have discussed in detail the tetanus shot side effects. There are a few mild to severe side effects associated with niacin intake. The medication is not to be taken by those who are prone to allergies of niacin or other medicines and the doctor must be consulted about it. It is to be avoided if the person has kidney or liver problems, chest pain or heart problems. The doctor has to make a detailed examination before allowing the same.

The mild side effects are generally dizziness, reddening of areas under the skin, itching, gas and nausea. There can be some sleep problems on patients who are otherwise healthy. As far as the more serious ones are concerned the patient experiences as if or she would faint, feeling short of breadth, swelling in some places and body weaknesses.

In some very severe cases it is seen that the patient has developed cracked and scaly type of skin while in others there are cases of dementia and swollen red tongue with burning sensation in the mouth. Women who breast feed child should avoid the intake of medicine at all cost.

The niacin side effects can cause several discomforts although the lack of it in the body can lead to several psychiatric symptoms. In the next post, I will talk about lupron side effects.