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General description	Hydrosoluble vitamin important in oxido-reduction processes of metabolism.
Found	- lean meats, organ meats, turkey and chicken meat - fish - brewers yeast - whole grains, nuts, dried peas, beans - milk and milk products
Anti-aging role	- energy release in tissues and cells as it helps form the coenzymes NAD and NADP - helps to maintain a healthy nervous and digestive system - essential for normal growth - essential for healthy skin - it can help to lower LDL cholesterol and tryglyceride levels - it can raising HDL cholesterol level - production of bile salts - synthesis of sex hormones - help to alleviate the symptoms of arthritis
Deficiency symptoms	- Pellagra (dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia) - bright red tongue, sore tongue and gums, inflamed mouth, throat and esophagus. Canker sores. - mental illness, perceptual changes in the five senses, schizophrenia symptoms, insomnia - rheumatoid arthritis - muscle weakness - irritability - recurring headaches - indigestion, nausea, vomiting, bad breath
Therapeutic doses	50 - 100 mg - niacinamide To lower cholesterol: niacin: 250 - 1500 mg / day RDA for men - 16 mg RDA for women - 14 mg European RDA - 18 mg
Maximum safe level	Nicotinamide: 450 mg (long term usage); 1500 mg (short term usage) Nicotinic acid: 150 mg (long term usage); 500 mg (short term usage)
Side effects	Dose of nicotinic acid in excess of these levels may cause temporary flushing of the skin.
Contraindications	- patients with bleeding problems - diabetes - liver disease - gout - low blood pressure - stomach ulcer

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