August
2007
Another Night, Another Niacin Flush
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This week’s Smart Fuel: 3 Delicious Sources of Niacin
This is Niacin!
Why Niacin:
Niacin (B3) is water-soluble. Since it’s not stored in the body, you have to make sure you get plenty in your diet. Niacin helps your digestive system hum along smoothly, and it’s also vital to proper nerve function and energy conversion (making the most of your food). Niacin also helps with cholesterol, fatigue, and the common cold. If you take a big dose you may get the famous “niacin flush”, which is harmless. (Unless you go overboard, but that’s very tough to do!) If you have a deficiency, you can develop pellagra, which causes inflamed skin, digestive ills, and mental health problems.
The 3 Greatest Ways to Get It in Your Body:
1. Nuts
Nuts - all kinds - contain plenty of niacin. They’re one of the richest sources of this important B vitamin. And because nuts contain essential fatty acids and other important antioxidants and minerals, you should try to eat a handful (raw, organic) at least a few times a week.
2. Eggs
Another great source! Read all about the wonderful egg here.
3. Fish
Fish, especially fatty fish like salmon and tuna, contain high levels of niacin. Seeing a connection here? Fatty acids, niacin, mental health…they all go together!
Want more brain foods?
Further reading:
44 Amazing Low-Carb Vegan Recipes
Source: Medline
Technorati Tags: niacin, pellagra, deficiency, mental health, vitamins
I was unaware that niacin was so important. I like nuts, so I guess I’ll have to go out and buy some more often. What about trail mix? Is trail mix a good source?
Sure, just avoid the sugar kinds with chocolate chip bits and “yogurt” covered nibbles.
But Sara… I love chocolate!!!
And I love nibbles!!! Especially when they are covered in white gooey yogurt-like stuff.