Niacin and Depression: 7 Fascinating Facts About Niacin

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, more than 40 million US adults deal with mental illnesses, majorly, anxiety-related. Of these, about 6.7% of the American adult population, which is about 16.1 million has to deal with major depressive disorder. And despite these conditions being easy to treat, only 36.9% receive treatment.

America is a country known to offer a dietary variety to everyone. And it would be relatively easy to find any food you want. However, there are a lot of people who remain in the dark about the role of a suitable diet in the management and treatment of depression. For instance, niacin, found in animal and vegetarian food, is found to be helpful to patients with psychiatric disorders, as published by Bo. H. Johnson of the National Institute of Health.

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So, What Is Niacin?

Niacin, also known as vitamin B3 is an essential nutrient required for the proper functioning of your entire body. When taken as a supplement, it can ease symptoms of various illnesses such as arthritis, lowers your body cholesterol, and even boosts your brain function. Its deficiency can result in conditions such as diarrhea, mental confusion, fatigue, skin problems, and depression. Yes, you read it right, depression. To better inform yourself, below are 7 fascinating facts about niacin and depression that you must know.

Number One: Niacin Has Two Functional Forms

Niacin, one of the eight Vitamin B types, has two different functional forms. And as with all vitamin B types, niacin helps break down food into energy by assisting enzymes. Niacin is majorly associated with NAD and NADP, coenzymes significantly involved in cellular metabolism. Niacin exists in two primary chemical forms, which have different effects on the body, and you can find it either in foods and supplements. These types are:

Nicotinic Acid

This form of niacin lowers cholesterol levels and helps prevent heart diseases.

Niacinamide

Also known as nicotinamide, and it helps in treating psoriasis. Besides, it also lowers the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer Niacin is a water-soluble nutrient. Therefore, the body does not store it and can also excrete the excess amounts when not needed.

Well, What Is the Explanation behind This?

Behavioral disorders and depression all result from the failure of the proper functioning of the serotonin neurotransmitters. And as previously mentioned, niacin helps in metabolism, which provides energy for neurotransmission. Equally so, niacin plays a vital role in the production of serotonin, which boosts brain activity. Now you can see how a niacin deficiency can affect you negatively and drive you to depression.

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Number Three: Niacin Is Easier to Access

The human body cannot produce niacin naturally. That is why doctors advise taking niacin-rich foods. The good news is that niacin is readily available in a wide range of food. However, it would help if you were careful not to ingest too much. Women have a 14mg/day dietary recommendation while men are allowed to take 16mg/day of niacin.

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid found in foods that helps in nitrogen balance and growth. It is also crucial when it comes to the creation of niacin in the human body. So, where can you find tryptophan? Here is a list of foods that are rich in niacin:

• Liver – Eighty-five-gram cooked beef liver can fulfill up to 100% of women’s recommended dietary allowance, and about 91% of the men’s RDA. Chicken liver can supplement the beef liver, but it is not as rich.
• Chicken Breast– This well-known source of lean proteins is rich in niacin. 85 grams of cooked, skinless, and boneless chicken breast provides women with 80% of their niacin RDA, while the men get about 70%.
• Turkey– Although it contains less niacin compared to chicken, turkey is rich in tryptophan, which is crucial in the production of niacin.
• Salmon – A wild-caught salmon is rich in niacin. And 85 grams of cooked salmon supply about 53% of the men’s RDA, while it only fulfills 60% of the women’s RDA. However, a farmed salmon has less niacin content.
• Light Tuna– A tuna canned in oil can supply up to 53% of the niacin recommended dietary intake.

Number Four: A Niacin Overdose Has Serious Effects

Vitamins are like drugs. Take them in the recommended doses, and you’re relatively safe. Overdose and you are in for some severe interactions. And in this case, an overdose can be severe. Some of the symptoms of niacin overdose include:

• Itching
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Severe Skin Flushing and Dizziness
• Gout
• Diabetes
• Liver Damage
• Abdominal Pains

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So, What Is the Correct Prescription of Niacin?

The recommended dietary intake of niacin varies among different age groups.  Let’s break it down better:

Infants:                  

• 0-6 months need 2mg of niacin per day
• 7-12 months have an RDI of 4mg per day

Children:

• 1 to 3 years-6mg/day
• 4 to 8 years-8mg/day
• 9-13 years-12mg/day

Adolescents and Adults:

• 14 years and above men-16mg/day
• Women older than 14 years-14mg/day
• Pregnant women-18mg/day
• Breastfeeding mothers-17mg/day

CAUTION:

1. You can experience severe side effects when you ingest 2000mg-6000mg of niacin per day.

2. The following underlying conditions can cause fatalities on the administration of niacin:

• Hypotension/Low blood pressure
• Peptic Ulcers
• Allergies
• Thyroid Disorders
• Diabetes
• Gouty Arthritis
• Gallbladder Disease
• Liver Cirrhosis

3. Niacin can have serious side effects when mixed with some drugs. Some of these include:

• Niacin and Alcohol – Combining niacin and alcohol increase your risks of liver damage.
• Niacin and Blood Pressure Meds – When taken together, niacin can worsen low blood pressure.
• Niacin and Herb Supplements – Herb supplements, when taken alongside niacin increase the risk of hemorrhage.

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Number Five: The Niacin Flush

This is undoubtedly the most common but harmless side effect of niacin. The niacin flush is uncomfortable but harmless. It appears as a flush of red skin followed by itching and burning sensations. The niacin flush is a side effect of taking the immediate release of nicotinic acid, mostly experienced among people who take high doses of immediate-release niacin supplements.

Once taken, the niacin expands the capillaries and increases blood flow to the skin. Some of the common symptoms of the niacin flush include:

• A burning sensation and itching of the skin.
• Reddening of the skin, with the pigment looking like a sunburn.
• Warm skin due to the increased blood flow to the skin.

Number Six: Niacin Has Reversible Side Effects

Niacin’s side effects can subside in a few weeks. However, there are measures you can take to reverse them. These include:

Taking Aspirin before the Niacin Dose

According to a study published by the national institute of health, NIH, taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as 325mg of aspirin 15-30 minutes before the niacin dose can reduce the itching and flushing. However, it would help if you got a prescription from your health care provider for the aspirin.

Avoid Hot Beverages and Alcohol

Keep a good gap between when you take your niacin dose and drink your hot beverage. Alcohol and hot beverages such as hot cocoa, tea, and coffee speed up the process of flushing.

Divide Your Dose throughout the Day

One large dose of niacin can cause flushing. So, to avoid this, you can subdivide your immediate-release niacin into small doses until your body can adapt. For instance, instead of taking 50mg of niacin at once, you can take 25mg in the morning, and 25mg at noon.

Take Flush-Free Niacin

Nicotinamide and inositol hexaniacinate are some of the flush-free niacin you can take. These forms of niacin work differently from nicotinic acid and do not have side effects.