“Everything You Need to Know About Vitamin B3 Deficiency and Symptoms”

The chance of a vitamin B3 deficiency is extremely small, but can have very serious symptoms. You need vitamin B3 – also known as niacin – to provide your body with energy, among other things. It is a very important vitamin and you will soon notice vitamin B3 deficiency symptoms. However, there is a much greater chance that you will consume too much vitamin B3. This is everything you need to know about a vitamin B3 deficiency.

What does vitamin B3 do in your body?

You need vitamin B3 – or niacin – to provide your body with energy. It also contributes to good digestion, a healthy appetite and plays a role in the production of fatty acids in the body. Vitamin B3 can be present as nicotinic acid or nicotinamide, but in food and supplements it is mainly present as nicotinamide. Good news: if you eat a healthy and varied diet, you can easily get enough vitamin B3. Vitamin B3 is found in meat, fish, whole grain products, vegetables and potatoes.

What Are Vitamin B3 Deficiency Symptoms?

Do you have a vitamin B3 deficiency? Then you will not easily overlook this. A vitamin B3 deficiency can lead to pellagra: a disease that can cause skin disorders, diarrhea and dementia. The chance of a vitamin B3 deficiency is very small in Western society. This is because our diet contains a large amount of vitamin B3. Vitamin B3 belongs to the group of vitamin B of which you should pay particular attention to a vitamin B12 deficiency. This can also lead to a vitamin B6 deficiency.

Can you take too much vitamin B3?

The chance of a vitamin B3 deficiency is very small, but you can quickly take too much vitamin B3. Vitamin B3 may be present as nicotinic acid or nicotinamide. High-dose supplements with too much nicotinic acid can cause blood vessel dilation. This can cause hot flashes. This is not the case with nicotinamide, but a very high dose of nicotinamide can cause damage to the liver and eyes.

Sources: Healthline, Nutrition Center.

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