Also known as niacin or nicotinic acid, vitamin B3 is one of the eight B vitamins. Like all the other vitamins in its category, vitamin B3 plays an important part in the conversion of carbohydrates into glucose. Without glucose, the body would not have any energy to perform common functions. Skin, hair, eyes, liver, nervous system and glands depend on the B complex for proper functioning.

Benefits of Vitamin B3

Niacin regulates the secretion of stress-related hormones and sex hormones. It also plays an important part in the blood circulation and the reduction of the cholesterol levels.

Since niacin acts against cholesterol, vitamin B3 is a major defense against atherosclerosis.

In the treatment of diabetes, it seems that niacin delays the passage from diabetes type 1(non-insulin dependent) to diabetes type 2 (insulin dependent).

For people who suffer from joint diseases such as osteoarthritis, vitamin B3 seems to enhance mobility, and reduce the need for the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or the used amount of such medication.

Vitamin B3 deficiencies

In today’s society it is pretty uncommon to get vitamin B3 deficiency because of the variety of modern man’s diet. Alcoholism is the primary cause for such deficiencies. Normally, niacin is a vitamin that we take from meals. In the past, severe deficiency of vitamin B3 used to cause pellagra characterized by scaly skin, diarrhea and even dementia. Most of the symptoms of such a deficiency are digestive, but only medical investigations can lead to diagnosis.

Dietary sources for vitamin B3

The foods with the highest content of vitamin B3 include beef kidney, beef liver, salmon, tuna, swordfish, peanuts and sunflower seeds. All bread and cereals are presently fortified with niacin. There are some foods like eggs, red meat, poultry and dairy products that contain an amino acid, tryptophan that the body converts into vitamin B3.

Vitamin B3 supplements

In case the doctor recommends you to use a niacin supplement, you can choose from tablet, capsules and timed-release forms. With timed-released supplements there are hardly any side effects, however, they may have a toxic impact at the liver level.

Niacin should only be used under medical supervision particularly since it may interact with other medications and dietary supplements. You may experience a burning tingling sensation on the chest and face after taking a vitamin B3 supplement. This side effect can be prevented by taking an aspirin half an hour before the administration of the supplement.

• Nutrient-rich concentrates of 25 whole vegetables, greens and fruits
• Specifically formulated for men
• Promotes maximum fat burning potential through optimal nutritional foundation
• Safeguard prostate and urinary health
• Protect the heart and circulatory system
• Boost digestive system function
• Does NOT upset stomach like conventional synthetic vitamin

Your body is made up of systems. And if you want these systems running on all cylinders, they need the nutrients to do so. That goes for your metabolism, as well. For your body to burn fat at an accelerated rate – so you can look better naked – you want to nourish it with nature’s best. Without the essential phytonutrients, enzymes, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals it needs to work at peak performance, well, it’s going to take you longer to get those six-pack abs.

By the direct action on the free radicals resulted in the cells after the oxidation process, antioxidant multi vitamin supplements ensure a proper functionality of the skin and the organs, prolonging the life extent of the cells. Though vitamins A and E are usually associated with anti-wrinkle cosmetic products, their benefits are a lot wider and cover almost all the body functions as a whole. On the other hand antioxidant multi vitamin supplements also act as immunity boosters, meaning that they enhance the natural defenses of the body, increasing one’s resistance against infections, bacteria and fungi.

Antioxidant multi vitamin supplements in the liquid form are considered to be a lot easier to assimilate due to the fact that they require absolutely no modification at the level of the digestive tract. Around 80 or even 90% of the intake passes into the blood flow, which makes them a lot more popular than tablets and capsules. It is important to follow the dosage directions of the antioxidant multi vitamin liquid supplements, since without a graded spoon or a dosing device, it is very easy to overdose. And even though they are highly positive in their action on the body, antioxidant multi vitamin supplements can also trigger adverse reactions if taken carelessly.

Almost all pharmaceutical brands manufacture antioxidant multi vitamin products, hence, there is a wide variety of supplements to choose from. More recently, a higher stress has been laid on the organic nature of the vitamins, since people are more and more aware that synthetic vitamins and minerals do not make the right choice in terms of health concerns. Thus, carotenoids or organic vitamin A, lutein, CoQ10, vitamin C extracted from rose buds and wild rose, have all become alternative solutions in the making of antioxidant multi vitamin supplements.

Ten years ago, you would be hard pressed to answer that question, but today supermarket chains are on a health kick. CNN reports in the recently published article, America’s healthiest grocery stores that Whole Foods was selected healthiest grocery mostly for its locally produced foods.

The other healthy super markets the received mentioned in the article were:

• Safeway
• Harris Teeter
• Trader Joe’s
• Hannaford
• Albertsons
• Food Lion
• Publix Super Markets
• Pathmark
• Super Target

It’s good to see that the grocery stores are finally offering healthier choices for their customers. Read the full CNN article here.

Some rapid weight loss diets declare that they can help you lose lots of weight in a matter of days. This reason for this rapid weight loss does of course come at a price; you are limited to eating only select fruit and vegetables only. You can either cook these or just eat them raw, the choice is yours.

Should you choose to cook your fruit and vegetables you will have to look at your cooking methods. It is no good going on a rapid weight loss diet if you are going to use a load of oil, grease, and fats in your cooking process.

So what’s the best diet for rapid weight loss? The answer to that question is I’m afraid going to be down to you, everybody’s body is different. Because of this different results will be seen from each rapid weight loss diet. Don’t give up if you don’t succeed on your first attempt; try a different quick weight loss diet.

Lastly, do these rapid weight loss diets really work, and are there any symptoms of rapid weight loss? With all diets you are recommended to consult your doctor first, rapid weight loss diets are no different. After your successful rapid weight loss diet you should try to maintain a constant healthy everyday diet to keep the weight off.

Visit my Site now at http://www.womensweightloss.org to read anything you ever wanted to know about Weight loss.

Another reason to use liquid vitamins is convenience. Liquid vitamins are easier to take than solid vitamins. Anyone who has looked at and then choked down a handful of pills can testify to that fact.

Another bonus to liquid vitamins is that you can add them to water or juice and sip them throughout the day. This keeps on ongoing measure of vitamins entering your system. This is much better than overwhelming the system with more nutrition that it can effectively handle at one time and then denying it any more nutrition for the rest of the day. Think of an hourglass

Without minerals, vitamins are literally worthless. Our body is unable to process vitamins without the help of minerals. Minerals are inorganic compounds which are essential for the structural composition of hard and soft tissue, like our teeth, bones, muscles and even blood and nerve cells. Minerals, which are essential for the overall physical and mental welfare of the body, are basically catalysts which help in several important body reactions like muscle contractions, message transmission in the nervous system, production of hormones, to name a few.

Can our body produce minerals?

No. Like some vitamins, our body cannot make minerals. Minerals have to be provided through the diet or dietary supplements. Minerals can be classified into two types: The major elements or the macro minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, iodine, and potassium; and trace minerals or micro minerals like copper, cobalt, manganese, fluorine, and zinc. Minerals are required in minute quantities and usually a well balanced and healthy diet will meet the necessary requirement. However, some people may need to take a supplement to meet their bodies’ requirement.

Important minerals and their sources

Calcium is required for the formation and maintenance of healthy bones. Over 90% of calcium is contained in the bones and teeth, from where it is reabsorbed by the blood and issues. The primary source of calcium is milk and milk products.

Phosphorous is important to release energy from carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. It combines with calcium in our bones and teeth. It can also be found in milk.

Magnesium aids bone growth and also aids the function of nerves and muscles, including regulation of normal heart rhythm. It also maintains the electrical circuitry in the nerves and muscle cell and is extremely important for metabolism. It is found abundantly in a variety of foods.

Sodium is found in many natural foods and also found in cooked foods in the form of added dietary salt. Excessive sodium in the body can cause edema, or water retention

Iron is essential for the formation of hemoglobin, the pigment in our red blood cells which transports oxygen. Women are usually deficient in iron and have to resort to iron supplements. It is found abundant in leafy green vegetables.

Iodine deficiency can lead to goiter, which is a swelling of this gland located in the lower neck. Salt is usually fortified with iodine.

Jack Smith writes about various topics. This article is free to re-print as long as nothing is changed, all links remained intact, the bio remains in full and the rel=’nofollow’ tag is not added to any of the links. Thank-you – Please visit [http://www.article-hub.com]Article-Hub For more great vitamin articles.