Lame Brain or Niacin Deficiency?

Do you toss and turn before going to sleep? Are you depressed or down in the dumps? Maybe you're forgetful, anxious, get easily distracted? Do any of these ring a bell or have you forgotten the first question already? Did you just glance back to the beginning to refresh your memory?

All of these things can be symptoms of niacin deficiency.

Niacin can also put 'spark' back into your life. Red blood cells that are rich in oxygen produce a negative electric charge; this is their 'spark'. These blood cells repel each other due to the negative electric charge so on their trek through the capillaries to the brain they must go single file. Lack of oxygen can cause them to lose their charge; they all gather around each other and create a barrier from being bunched up. This barrier keeps oxygen out of the brain and leads to the symptoms mentioned above. Go ahead, scan the top to remind yourself what they were. The good news is that niacin gives red blood cells their spark back.

Niacin also helps lower cholesterol and triglycerides, two blood fats that cause clogged arteries, and also helps eliminate the slugging effect (caused by those red blood cells losing their spark and huddling up together).

Niacin is key to lowering fatigue and joint stiffness. Niacin deficiency is known as pellagra, but until symptoms reach a certain stage (dementia, skin rash and diarrhea) it's rarely diagnosed or even caught. Other symptoms of mild pellagra include; fatigue, bloating, joint problems, depression, intestinal problems and irritability.

Taking 50 -100 milligrams up to 3 or 4 times a day can reduce and in many cases eliminate these symptoms. Be sure to check your label if you decide to supplement niacin. Most niacin supplements are sold as niacinamide which has little effect on lowering blood fats. Look for a supplement that contains niacin in its purest form or try to get adequate amounts in your diet.

Niacin is one of the B complex vitamins so it's relatively easy to get them all together in certain foods. Liver is one of the best sources of the B complex vitamins but it's understandable that not many people like liver. You can also get these nutrients in other meats as well. Tuna is another good source and so are nuts and seeds. These are generally good sources because they aren't over processed which can destroy vitamin content. You can also eat more whole grains, peas, and beans to get B vitamins. One of the best sources of B complex vitamins is brewers yeast.