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Vitamin B3 Deficiency

What Is Vitamin B3 Deficiency?



Vitamin B3 is also known as niacin. Niacin or nicotinic acid is one of the 8 known types of vitamin B. Vitamin B3 deficiency or Niacin deficiency occurs when the body cannot absorb the vitamin or gets little of it.

In fact, the deficiency extends up to the body’s inability to absorb tryptophan, which is the amino acid precursor of niacin.

Below are some of the functions of vitamin B3:

1.Niacin or nicotinic acid helps to keep the nervous system working properly

2.Further, it helps the body make sex-related hormones and stress-related hormones

3.It helps to improve circulation and maintain cholesterol levels

4.Moreover, it also helps to break down fats and proteins

5.Vitamin B3 helps to convert carbohydrates into glucose



What Are the Symptoms of Vitamin B3 Deficiency?

The vitamin B3 deficiency symptoms mostly became known with the discovery of pellagra.

The signs of vitamin B3 deficiency are:

1.A pigmented rash appears when the skin is exposed to the sun

2.Apathy or fatigue

3.Bright red tongue

4.Circulatory problems

5.Constipation

6.Decreased appetite

7.Depression

8.Diarrhoea

9.Hallucinations

10.Headache

11.Memory loss

12.Oral ulcers

13.The rough appearance of the skin

14.Tongue swelling

15.Vomiting


The symptoms of vitamin B3 deficiency in adults are the same as those in children.

Severe cases of vitamin B3 deficiency result in pellagra, which can result in death if unchecked. The symptoms of pellagra are:

1.Dementia

2.Diarrhoea

3.Dermatitis

These vitamin B3 deficiency signs and symptoms should be taken seriously and treated.


What Are the Different Vitamin B3 Deficiency Diseases?

In mild form, you may notice some of the symptoms of vitamin B3 deficiency diseases. However, when the deficiency increases, it often leads to pellagra, which is a disease caused due to deficiency of vitamin B3.

Hence, the deficiency of vitamin B3 causes these diseases:

1.Pellagra

2.Dementia

3.Dermatitis

4.Diarrhoea



Who Is More at Risk of Vitamin B3 Deficiency?

There are two types of vitamin B3 deficiency diseases.


Primary Pellagra

When a diet is low in niacin, the person is at risk for primary pellagra. For example, those whose diet includes maize as a staple are at higher risk for developing primary pellagra.


Secondary Pellagra

A person who cannot absorb vitamin B3 despite having a diet rich in vitamin B3 is at risk for secondary pellagra.


The persons who are at risk for vitamin B3 deficiency are:

1.Alcoholism can cause the deficiency of niacin because of malnutrition.

2.Other risk factors of secondary pellagra are malnutrition, Crohn’s disease, anorexia, HIV, Hartnup disease, dialysis, drugs for tuberculosis, carcinoid syndrome.



What Are the Effects of Long-term Vitamin B3 Deficiency?

The deficiency of vitamin B3, in the long run, can lead to pellagra. Pellagra is the severest disease that arises from the lack of vitamin B3. Some of the symptoms of pellagra are dementia, dermatitis, and diarrhoea.



How to Prevent and Overcome Vitamin B3 Deficiency?

The prevention of vitamin B3 deficiency can be achieved by consuming food items rich in vitamin B3 such as red meat, fish, fortified bread, cereals, poultry, peanuts, and enriched pasta.


How Long Does It Take to Correct Vitamin B3 Deficiency?

One can easily correct Vitamin B3 deficiency. The doctor may prescribe a high dose of niacin for 5 days, and symptoms will improve in 2 days.

In conclusion, if one can diagnose vitamin B3 deficiency quickly, it is easily treatable. However, sometimes vitamin B3 deficiency may be misdiagnosed as alcohol withdrawal symptoms for those who consume alcohol.



Here is a list of some vitamin B3 rich vegetables:



1.Mushrooms. This is an excellent vegetable source of niacin. ...

2.Green Peas. Green peas are considered vitamin B3 foods due to their high content of absorbable niacin. ...

3.Potatoes. Another vegetable source of niacin is potatoes. ...

4.Broccoli. ...

5.Cherry Tomatoes.


Food Sources

1.Red meat: beef, beef liver, pork.

2.Poultry.

3.Fish.

4.Brown rice.

5.Fortified cereals and breads.

6.Nuts, seeds.

7.Legumes.

8.Bananas.



Treatments

The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for niacin is 16 milligrams per day for men and 14 milligrams per day for women. Good sources of niacin include red meat, fish, poultry, fortified breads and cereals, and enriched pasta and peanuts.

If you don't eat a lot of niacin-rich foods or if you have a medical condition that affects the absorption of niacin or tryptophan, 



What causes lack of vitamin B3?

Niacin (vitamin B3) deficiency results in a condition known as pellagra. Pellagra includes the triad of dermatitis, dementia, and diarrhea and can result in death. Niacin deficiency can occur through genetic disorders, malabsorptive conditions, and interaction with certain medications.


How can I increase my B3 naturally?

Vitamin B3 is found naturally in a wide variety of both animal and plant-based foods, including beef, liver, poultry, eggs, dairy products, fish, nuts, seeds, legumes, avocados, and whole grains. It is also found in fortified cereals and bread. Vitamin B3 can also be produced in the body from the amino acid tryptophan.



How long does it take for vitamin B3 to start working?

The onset of a niacin flush comes about 10 to 20 minutes after taking a large dose (100mg or more) of niacin. The flush includes reddening of the skin accompanied by a warm burning or itching sensation.



























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