How to Tell if You Need Niacin for Depression
Niacin is a water-soluble B vitamin that converts in the body to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). Do you feel like no matter what you do, it’s just not enough? Is your depression getting in the way of your day-to-day activities and relationships with friends and family? Niacin is a vitamin that can help relieve depressive symptoms. This blog post will teach you about the best types of niacin for depression.
Also if you struggle with anxiety, it is very common as they often go hand in hand, causing ups and downs in mood, click here to read about Niacin for Anxiety.
- Life Extension - No Flush Niacin - 800 Mg - 100 Caps (2-Pack)
- Doctor's Best TimeRelease Niacin with niaxtend NonGMO Vegan Gluten Free 500 mg Tablets, 120 Count
No Flush Niacin offers all the benefits people get in niacin supplements: metabolism health, cardiovascular and neurological support. However, it doesn’t cause the flushing many people experience.
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Real Niacin provides niacin in an 8-hour extended-release form that enables you to enjoy the health benefits of niacin without experiencing the uncomfortable skin flushing that commonly accompanies other forms of niacin.
Niacin, also known as vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid, supports more than 500 enzymatic reactions that play pivotal roles in metabolism, energy production, and healthy aging
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Table of Contents
What is Niacin and How Does It Work for Depression
Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, has been used since the 1950s to help people with low levels of serotonin (a brain chemical that regulates mood). The use of this vitamin was first studied by Dr. Abram Hoffer who found it helped patients with schizophrenia and other mental disorders feel better about themselves and their lives.
Nevertheless, there are still some people who believe they benefit from taking these high doses because they notice improvements in energy levels or skin conditions like acne or dry skin after starting a regimen of supplementation.
Why you might need niacin for depression
Niacin is a vitamin that plays an important role in the metabolism of glucose. It also helps to maintain healthy skin and nerve cells, so it’s no wonder niacin supplements are often used for treating high cholesterol, depression, and diabetes.
NAM can be converted into NAD+ in different circumstances. If there is a lot of NAD+, then it will help your body work better. This will make you healthier and stronger, and make you feel better too. It is also great to help slow the process of aging and increase fertility as well.
You need niacin for depression because Niacin helps convert food into energy and affect the way your brain uses serotonin
Niacin is a water-soluble B vitamin that converts in the body to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) which is essential for metabolism. Niacin affects how efficiently you metabolize sugar, as well as influences the function of many other systems within your body. It also plays an important role in maintaining healthy skin cells, hair follicles, and nervous tissue.
Niacin can help with depression due to its ability to effectively regulate serotonin levels. Serotonin deficiency may result from low dopamine or norepinephrine levels – both chemicals directly related to mood regulation
You need niacin for depression because it helps alleviate symptoms that may keep you from completing your everyday tasks.
However, there are some side effects to be aware of when taking niacin supplements- such as flushing or itching- that make it difficult for some people to take them regularly. If you’re struggling with high cholesterol, depression, or diabetes and want to try out a natural supplement without these side effects- then I recommend giving niacinamide (a form of niacin) a try!
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Signs That You May Need More Niacin In Your Diet
If you experience any of the following signs then you may be deficient in Vitamin B3:
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Aggressive or Suicidal Behavior
These are just some of the signs/ symptoms of niacin (vitamin b3) deficiency.
* You have been diagnosed with a mental illness that impacts your mood. Niacin can help improve the symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
* Your diet does not include many of the foods listed as excellent sources of niacin such as sunflower seeds, peanuts, dairy products (particularly yogurt), and organic sprouted whole wheat bread or pasta
* When taking medication for an ongoing mental health condition it is common to take higher doses of niacin as well. This may cause some side effects including digestive problems like diarrhea or nausea which will be alleviated by adding in Niacin.
If you think that is one reason why you should consider taking a niacin supplement.
What foods contain niacin?
- Chicken Liver and other organ meats are a good source of niacin
- Bananas
- Nuts
- Legumes
- Rice
Where to buy high-quality, affordable niacin supplements online
Whole Foods Market is a reliable place to buy niacin, Life Extension is a high-quality, science-backed supplement brand that makes niacin and no-flush niacin.
Buying from Amazon is an affordable way to purchase vitamins, just make sure the seller has great reviews before purchasing. You want to make sure the product is definitely a genuine product. If you would like to purchase from Amazon click here.
Life Extension is a supplement brand that puts out tons of science to back up every single one of their products. They are 3rd party tested, even though people say supplements are not regulated, that’s 100% NOT TRUE. Now you might buy from some random company in another country that is not 3rd party tested.
However, if you purchase a supplement from Life Extension, you get a free magazine subscription for a year. If you bought a $5 niacin or a $5 vitamin d supplement, you would get a free science-backed magazine. They also allow you to speak with their wellness specialists (which I use to be one) completely free to you!
If you want to check out Life Extension, then buy their niacin below and you will never look back.
No Flush Niacin offers all the benefits people get in niacin supplements: metabolism health, cardiovascular and neurological support. However, it doesn’t cause the flushing many people experience.
How to Take Niacin Supplements
Take the Life Extension Niacin supplements with food or before bed if you are concerned about the niacin flush.
Niacin supplements can cause a mild tingling sensation called the niacin flush. Niacin is water-soluble and needs to have some liquid in order for it to be absorbed properly into your bloodstream, so make sure you stay hydrated while taking these supplements.
Vitamin B3 should not be taken together with certain medications like aspirin, ibuprofen or other NSAIDs because they may prevent the absorption of this vitamin. If you are on prescription medication such as antidepressants or blood thinners then consult with your medical doctor before starting any supplement regimen including Niacin
You also want to avoid using alcohol when trying to treat depression – excessive alcohol use increases serotonin levels but ultimately decreases dopamine levels which will lead back towards depressive symptoms.
Other Ways to Obtain Niacin
Another way to increase the vitamins in your body outside of diet and supplementation is by doing vitamin therapy. This is something that local doctors or nurses may offer as a service. Just do your research and make sure they are using pure nutrients and call around to compare pricing and experience.
Side Effects of Taking Too Much Niacin for Depression or Not Enough
Taking too much niacin can cause a strong flush or even an ulcer. Not getting enough niacin can lead to high cholesterol and blood pressure problems. Niacin lowers a high blood pressure by thinning the blood, as well as increasing circulation.
The Niacin Vitamin for Depression Relief: What Is Niacin? – Individuals who are looking for a way to naturally help with their depression may want to look at the benefits of Niacin, which is also known as nicotinic acid that converts into NAD in the body.
There are many cases where this vitamin has been found effective especially when it comes to those individuals who have symptoms of psychosis such as delusions and hallucinations.
Those who suffer from bipolar disorder have found relief by taking this supplement because most likely they had low levels of serotonin before treatment was begun with medication (most often antidepressants).
Niacin works similarly to an SSRI which are antidepressants that block the MAO-B which helps to increase serotonin.
There are other nutrients in addition to niacin that work great as natural antidepressants, including other b-vitamins like inositol, magnesium, and more.
Who should avoid taking niacin for depression?
– Niacin is not recommended for people who are suffering from peptic ulcers, gout (the condition where uric acid crystals accumulate in the joints), high cholesterol levels or diabetes.
It should also be noted that those individuals who have had a history of liver disease may want to avoid this supplement because it can cause complications such as bleeding disorders. If you currently take medication that inhibits vitamin B synthesis then niacin supplements could interfere with your dosage and there has been some evidence linking taking too much niacin alongside statins – medications used to lower cholesterol – can increase one’s risk of developing type II diabetes.
Conclusion
Depression is a real illness that many people deal with. If you’ve been trying to find the right treatment for your depression, it’s important to know what niacin can do for you.
Niacin serves two purposes in the body- first, as we mentioned above, it helps produce energy from food so that your cells have more available resources; secondly it also helps support healthy blood sugar levels (which are key if you suffer from diabetes). If you struggle with depression, check out my blog post on
But wait! There’s even more good news! Taking niacin supplements can improve mood and alleviating symptoms of depression because it has an effect on serotonin production – which plays a role in regulating moods. It is recommended daily that you consume niacin to protect your heart, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
References:
Song, S. B., Park, J. S., Chung, G. J., Lee, I. H., & Hwang, E. S. (2019). Diverse therapeutic efficacies and more diverse mechanisms of nicotinamide. Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society, 15(10), 137. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11306-019-1604-4
Originally posted 2021-04-30 21:02:03.
Megan Santiago
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