Your face turns flush and your skin starts to itch. Your heart begins to beat faster. The itching may be felt all across your face and extend down your arms to your fingertips.
What is going on? If you're like me you forgot what you learned in school and had to call ask-a-nurse to be reminded.
You may have taken a little too much niacin, or vitamin B-3. It's ok, you'll be fine, it will probably wear off in about half an hour.
But it can really make you scared if you don't know what is going on.
What happened? I took a niacin supplement plus brewer's yeast which itself contains lots of niacin. That was nine years ago but I still remember it like yesterday.
Niacin, also known as nicotinic acid is very necessary for your body. Niacin is needed at the cellular level. It is an important nutrient in cellular processes that create the ultimate energy currency of your body - ATP or Adenosine Triphosphate.
A deficiency in niacin can lead to pellagra, which has a number of manifestations. An inflamed tongue and irritated gastric track and colon as well as depression and hard rough skin are just some of the symptoms of this deficiency disease.
Anxiety and hallucinations are also possible symptoms of pellagra. Wide spread pellagra is no longer seen in the United States, though individual cases can still occur.
Dermatitis, dementia and diarrhea are considered the 3 Ds or the classic symptoms of pellagra.
Diets rich in meats, eggs and milk provide adequate amounts of niacin to the body. Alcoholics and diabetics are at greater risk for being deficient in niacin.
Niacin is a vitamin, it is necessary to the body for cellular processes.
Oral supplementation can reverse the less severe cases of deficiency. In severe cases there may be permanent consequences.
So the next time your face flushes and you get an itching burning sensation down to your fingertips, take a moment to reflect before you panic. Did you have too much niacin?
This article is for information purposes only. If you have or think you have a health condition, consult your physician for proper diagnoses and treatment.
Dave Snape is a health, fitness and wellness enthusiast. His website is http://tobeinformed.com
affordable house cleaning Wilmette ..The Omega Zone Diet and specialists' opinion"Omega RX Zone -... Read More
Dieters who dejectedly complain they are figuratively "stuck" with their... Read More
With all the news about Splenda of late and the... Read More
Besides providing taste, color, and aroma, certain seasonings can also... Read More
Media coverage of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has incited... Read More
Some of the things you think you know that just... Read More
In a study review conducted by David A. Geier, B.A.... Read More
Whenever possible, we should try to get our antioxidants and... Read More
The question most people think they need an answer to... Read More
The story of creation begins with water. Water is an... Read More
Evidence for the importance of fruit and vegetable intake to... Read More
Essential fatty acids are the number one recommendation for anyone... Read More
Every person on earth has experienced pain at one time... Read More
Headlines:Nearly a quarter of American adults just got diagnosed with... Read More
What is Cholesterol?Before we go into how to reduce your... Read More
The reason I remember the first time I was served... Read More
Many of us sprinkle oregano on our pizza and stews... Read More
The problem with sugar is that it doesn't contain any... Read More
Is the thrill gone? Has the thrill gone out of... Read More
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed.... Read More
The above foods contain high antioxidant capacity. These foods were... Read More
You must add some fresh cherries, which are now in... Read More
Are there any benefits to be obtained from drinking water... Read More
Your Non-Conscious Mind is 98% of your full power. Over... Read More
AgingHow did aging appeared?If mechanism of Death was chosen by... Read More
quick home cleaning Northbrook ..Green tea has been used as for medical remedies in... Read More
Whatever diet you choose to live by, the food you... Read More
This is such a busy time of year, isn't it?... Read More
Some of the things you think you know that just... Read More
For those of us that understand nutrition and it's importance... Read More
Our bodies need cholesterol. We use cholesterol to produce vitamin... Read More
You may have heard of the "Portfolio Diet" wherein it... Read More
It's really hard to believe that something could be worse... Read More
Ambrotose? - the Nutritional Alphabet of the "Sweet Language of... Read More
The secret of success is knowing how to deal with... Read More
Whether you're concerned about cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or simply... Read More
Following these simple nutrition guidelines will allow you to lose... Read More
Can You Lose Weight Through Eating?You get fat when you... Read More
Acid reflux disease, or GERD, is a common compliant of... Read More
Many people experience unpleasant reactions to foods they have eaten... Read More
For all I prefer to buy my fresh produce at... Read More
You wouldn't judge a book by its cover, would you?You... Read More
Spring in New York City is a really magical time.... Read More
We all need fat in our diet on a daily... Read More
What is health? Everyone wants this thing called health, and... Read More
With new research, new products and new skin protection advice... Read More
Please feel free to comment, so that the article may... Read More
You can spot a juicer a mile off at the... Read More
With summer comes more sun and with more sun comes... Read More
Fiber is the part of the plant that is resistant... Read More
Nutrition |