Niacin

February 14, 2014December 13, 2015 GRL Admin 1 Comment depression, health, heart disease, niacin, nutrition, sleep, supplements, vitamins

I love living in the age of the internet. I too, like many, see the internet as a place to buy things, play games, share pictures, and watch funny videos - But I see it primarily as the modern day printing press. It allows information to be infinitely duplicated - at very low cost. Anyway, it might seem like I'm off topic from my title but I'm coming around to it. I think it is simply fascinating that the entire world is collaborating on this enormous store of knowledge, where we all have lifetime memberships. We can discover anything we want to. We can become self taught experts on any topic. Every individual can uncover truth, science, philosophy, and health - adding value to their lives everyday. Never stop learning.

So something I've learned a lot about recently is niacin. I think this is definitely a neglected vitamin (its not technically a vitamin - closer to an amino acid as your body will naturally make it when you eat the amino acid tryptophan), and like many other things, the average person is probably deficient in it. In fact, some literally might depend on it the same way people have to take various other things to maintain a normal functioning body - for example lack of vitamin C will cause scurvy, some need more insulin than others, etc.

I'm not going to say much about it. I'll post some links below. But I highly recommend doing some reading and looking in to adding niacin to your life. Through many studies it has been shown to be excellent for arthritis, heart health (specifically raising good cholesterol, and lowering bad), mental issues (stress, anxiety, schizophrenia, dementia, addiction, depression), and more.

Here is what one researcher says about it. "I have thought about this for a long time and have within the past year become convinced that this vitamin is so versatile because it moderates or relieves the body of the pernicious effect of chronic stress. It therefore frees the body to carry on its routine function of repairing itself more efficiently."
- A. Hoffer, M.D., Ph.D.

Finally I better mention the flush. Taking niacin produces a sort of warm flush. Depending on the amount, individual tolerance, etc this could range from a slight tingle to a warmth in the arms and head, to a full body feeling of heat, even a redness and itchy feeling in the skin. Do not be alarmed by this. It is normal - and really kind of enjoyable, sort of a rush. The more of it and the more regularly you take it, your body will get used to it. There is of course "flush-free" niacin if you prefer.

Do your own research and look into it - I think its worth it!