ComputerHunter.org

 

The Niacin Rush


Your face turns flush and your skin starts to itch. Your heart begins to beat faster. The itching may be felt all across your face and extend down your arms to your fingertips.

What is going on? If you're like me you forgot what you learned in school and had to call ask-a-nurse to be reminded.

You may have taken a little too much niacin, or vitamin B-3. It's ok, you'll be fine, it will probably wear off in about half an hour.

But it can really make you scared if you don't know what is going on.

What happened? I took a niacin supplement plus brewer's yeast which itself contains lots of niacin. That was nine years ago but I still remember it like yesterday.

Niacin, also known as nicotinic acid is very necessary for your body. Niacin is needed at the cellular level. It is an important nutrient in cellular processes that create the ultimate energy currency of your body - ATP or Adenosine Triphosphate.

A deficiency in niacin can lead to pellagra, which has a number of manifestations. An inflamed tongue and irritated gastric track and colon as well as depression and hard rough skin are just some of the symptoms of this deficiency disease.

Anxiety and hallucinations are also possible symptoms of pellagra. Wide spread pellagra is no longer seen in the United States, though individual cases can still occur.

Dermatitis, dementia and diarrhea are considered the 3 Ds or the classic symptoms of pellagra.

Diets rich in meats, eggs and milk provide adequate amounts of niacin to the body. Alcoholics and diabetics are at greater risk for being deficient in niacin.

Niacin is a vitamin, it is necessary to the body for cellular processes.

Oral supplementation can reverse the less severe cases of deficiency. In severe cases there may be permanent consequences.

So the next time your face flushes and you get an itching burning sensation down to your fingertips, take a moment to reflect before you panic. Did you have too much niacin?

This article is for information purposes only. If you have or think you have a health condition, consult your physician for proper diagnoses and treatment.

Dave Snape is a health, fitness and wellness enthusiast. His website is http://tobeinformed.com







Google News - Top Stories

CTV.ca

Success of Clinton Choice Hinges on Rapport
Washington Post - 48 minutes ago
In introducing his choice for secretary of state, President-elect Barack Obama said, "Hillary's appointment is a sign to friend and foe of the seriousness of my commitment to renew American diplomacy and restore our alliances.
Video: Obama Picks Gates, Clinton for Foreign Policy AssociatedPress
Area Clinton backers happy with State spot Wilkes Barre Times-Leader
Boston Herald - Indiana Daily Student - KXMC - Politicker NH
all 3,179 news articles


ABC News

Media and Retailers Both Built Black Friday
New York Times - 59 minutes ago
By DAVID CARR This weekend, news reports were full of finger-wagging over the death by trampling of a temporary worker, Jdimytai Damour, at a Wal-Mart store in Long Island on Friday.
Wal-Mart Assailed on Death Wall Street Journal
Lawyer: Trampled NY worker lacked crowd training The Associated Press
FOXNews - Newsday - New York Daily News - Boston Herald
all 2,638 news articles


ABC News

Outsiders Look to Sway Georgia Race With Ads, Manpower
Wall Street Journal - 1 hour ago
By BRODY MULLINS and ALEX ROTH ATLANTA -- Georgia voters on Tuesday are set to resolve one of the final elections of the 2008 campaign, but some of the most active groups seeking to shape the outcome of the Senate race here won't be heading to the ...
Video: Ga. Senate Race Last Big Contest of 2008 AssociatedPress
Palin makes a Peach State sweep for GOP senator CNN
TIME - Gainesville Times - The Associated Press - Augusta Chronicle
all 1,245 news articles


ABC News

Pakistan, an international migraine: Albright
Indian Express - 36 minutes ago
Washington: Counting many elements, including terrorism and nuclear weapons, in Pakistan as causes of international worries, a former top US official has described the South Asian country as an "international migraine".
A Team in Need of a Plan Washington Post
Mumbai tragedy speaks volumes Augusta Chronicle
Hindu - FOXNews - AFP - Reuters
all 1,237 news articles


guardian.co.uk

Thai airport blast kills activist
BBC News - 27 minutes ago
A blast has killed at least one Thai anti-government protester and wounded 22 others at Bangkok's Don Mueang airport, emergency officials have said.
Blast kills protester as Thai court verdict looms AFP
Bomb kills one at Thai airport, court ruling looms Washington Post
guardian.co.uk - Bloomberg - ABC Online - GulfNews
all 8,768 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base