Niacin, also known as vitamin B3. Is one of the eight B-complex water-soluble vitamins. Niacin has a wide range of uses in the body, helping functions in the digestive system, skin, and nervous system. Niacin is used by health care providers as an alternative to people that cannot withstand statins to lower “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and raise “good” cholesterol (HDL).
Like other B vitamins, niacin helps the body break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy. Niacin has a role in producing certain hormones in the adrenal glands and helps remove harmful chemicals from the liver.
Food sources of niacin include yeast, meat, fish, milk, eggs, nuts, green vegetables, beans, and enriched bread and cereals.
The higher dosages necessary to lower cholesterol can cause undesirable side effects such as upset stomach, headaches, dizziness, flushing, and itching.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the recommended daily value of niacin is 20 mg for a 2,000-calorie diet. But therapeutic dosages of this B vitamin can range anywhere between 1,500 and 3,000.mg a day to improve your numbers.
Milk thistle seeds have been used for centuries to treat liver and gallbladder disease. The University of Rochester Medical Center says the most active group of bioflavonoids in milk thistle seeds is silybin. It’s thought that these provide protection from liver damage. It works by stopping toxins and free radicals from attaching to cells in the liver.
You are at a higher risk of milk thistle allergy if you are allergic to other plants in the same family such as daisies, marigolds, chrysanthemums, and ragweed.
In case you are seeking to use milk thistle for liver detox or treatment, then a dosage of usually between 250-420 mg per day can be taken.
Probiotics are substances that encourage the growth of bacteria, specifically beneficial bacteria, that help to keep intestinal health in balance. They are live microorganisms living in your body already. A healthy balance of good bacteria in the body may help regulate weight and ward off a range of health issues such as digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), along with allergic skin diseases like atopic dermatitis, and even the common cold.
Natural probiotics can be found in yogurt, pickled cabbage, or fermented cheeses.
With each ailment, you’ll need to make sure you’re taking the proper dosage, for the right duration, to experience the benefits.
Vitamin and minerals help your body’s enzymes break down food and carry the nutrients through your bloodstream. Vitamins help your body grow and work the way it should. There are 13 vitamins—vitamins A, C, D, E, K, and the B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, B6, B12, and folate).
Vitamins have different jobs—helping you resist infections, keeping your nerves healthy, and helping your body get energy from food or your blood to clot properly. By following the dietary guidelines, you will get enough of most of these vitamins from food.
If you do need to supplement your diet, look for a supplement that contains the vitamin or mineral you need without a lot of other unnecessary ingredients. Read the label to make sure the dose is not too large. Avoid supplements with mega-doses. Too much of some vitamins and minerals can be harmful, and you might be paying for supplements you don’t need. Your doctor or pharmacist can recommend brands that fit your needs.
If you decide to take a vitamin or mineral supplement, it’s important to:
Supplements can cause harmful effects if taken in certain combinations, with certain prescription medications, or before surgery or other medical procedures.
Product labels can tell you what the active ingredient or ingredients are, which nutrients are included, the serving size, and the number of nutrients in each serving.
Vitamins and minerals are being added to a growing number of foods, including breakfast cereals and beverages. If you’re also taking supplements, you may be getting more than you realize of certain nutrients. Taking more than you need is expensive and can raise your risk of side effects.