Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

Niacin is more commonly known as Vitamin B3, others may even know it as nicotinic acid, niacinamide, and also nicotinamide. As one of the 8 essential B vitamins, B3 has lots of benefits. Its main function is to give energy to your cells and help maintain your metabolism.

Niacin can improve blood fat levels by reducing bad cholesterol but at the same time, it can increase the good cholesterol in the body meaning it is great for heart health. It can also play a role in lowering blood pressure as it releases a chemical that can open up the blood vessels wider, thus improving blood flow.

It may also help treat those who suffer from Type 1 Diabetes as Niacin can protect insulin-creating cells. While it can help Type 1 sufferers, Niacin affects Type 2 diabetes patients slightly differently as it can actually raise their blood sugar levels which can be dangerous.

There are links to Vitamin B3 (niacin) and brain function due to its antioxidant properties. This can help prevent age-related brain diseases such as Alzheimer's.

B3 is also an active ingredient in some skin care products such as moisturisers, lotions, and sun cream as it can protect against sun damage.

Vitamin B3 (niacin) is available in certain foods such as liver, chicken, pork, beef, and turkey but also in avocados, nuts, peas, mushrooms, and brown rice.