Vitamin PP - what it is, what it's for, why it works, why it's on prescription and why it's so expensive

Vitamin PP is one of the few vitamins that, until recently, was only given with a doctor's permission - by prescription. Although this has recently changed, what hasn't changed are its properties, which can be both salutary and... dangerous.

With Ilona Krzak, MSc, pharmacist, we will present the most important information about vitamin PP and answer the question of why most preparations that provide you with it are prescription-only.

See also:

.

• Vitamin B1
• Vitamin B2
• Vitamin B3 (niacin)
• Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B7 (biotin)
.
• Vitamin B9 (folic acid)
.
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin C
.
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin D3
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K

What is vitamin PP?

.

Vitamin PP (B3) is one of the B vitamins. It is an essential nutrient for the proper functioning of the body. Vitamin PP plays a key role in many biological functions, including metabolic processes such as energy production and fatty acid synthesisand.

Vitamin PP also supports the health of the nervous and digestive systems, the skin, and is essential for cell regeneration. Its deficiency can lead to pelagra, a disease characterised by skin disorders, diarrhoea and dementia .

Vitamin PP is naturally found in many foods such as meat, fish, eggs, cereals, legumes and seeds .

What is vitamin PP otherwise called?

.

Vitamin PP is also called vitamin B3 or niacin. The latter term refers to two chemical compounds that are forms of niacin itself - nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. The name vitamin PP, on the other hand, refers to a disease that is caused by a niacin deficiency - pelagra (read about it below).

In the case of the term 'vitamin B3', there is no longer any interesting story - it is simply the third vitamin of the B group.

.

Vitamin PP - properties and effects

.

The interesting naming history is one thing, the properties are another. However, vitamin PP passes the test on both counts - its action is crucial to the proper functioning of the body.

What vitamin PP is for - role in the body:

.

Energy production

.

Vitamin PP is an integral component of many enzymes involved in the production of ATP - the primary 'fuel' for cells. ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is the molecule that stores and provides the energy necessary for the function of all cells in the bodyand.

Niacin helps convert carbohydrates, fats and proteins into energy. It is involved in the biochemical reactions that enable these macronutrients to be used as a source of energy. Their processing is fundamental to the proper functioning of all systems in the bodyand.

Health of the nervous system

.

Vitamin PP is involved in the production of a number of key neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, which are essential for the proper functioning of the brain and nervous system. These neurotransmitters affect numerous aspects of mental health, including mood, sleep, appetite and overall wellbeingand.

.

Niacin deficiencies can lead to the development of neurological insufficiency, which can manifest as depression, fatigue, apathy, cognitive decline and concentration problemsand.

.

skin health

.

Vitamin PP (niacinamide) is often used in cosmetics skin care products. As a key ingredient in a number of enzymes, it influences the metabolism of skin cells, helping to keep skin looking healthy and beautifuland.

The use of niacinamide strengthens the skin barrier, increases the production of collagen (which improves the elasticity of the skin), and prevents water loss, helping to maintain hydration levelsand.

.

Additionally, vitamin PP supports the treatment of various skin problems. It can reduce acne, redness and even symptoms associated with ageing, such as wrinkles. Studies also suggest that it may help protect the skin from the sun's harmful effects (UV rays)and.

Cell regeneration

.

Vitamin PP is involved in DNA formation and is important for cell division, which affects regenerative processes. Maintaining healthy DNA is important for cell repair and preventing damage that could lead to health problemsand.

Niacin also helps in the production of red blood cells, which are essential for delivering oxygen to all cells in the body. Adequate concentrations of vitamin PP in the body make cells better nourished, allowing for more effective regenerationand.

.

Heart support

.

Vitamin PP effectively regulates cholesterol levels, making it  an important role in the prevention of heart disease. It can lower 'bad' LDL cholesterol, increases 'good' HDL cholesterol and reduces triglycerides in the bloodand.

This action promotes the protection of blood vessels from blockages and cholesterol plaque formation, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis.

.

Vitamin PP also helps to regulate blood pressure - this translates into a reduced risk of hypertension, which is one of the main factors that can lead to heart diseaseand.

.

Daily requirement of vitamin PP

.

The daily requirement for vitamin PP is age-dependent. It also changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding, when it is particularly important to ensure the correct concentration of the nutrient in the body. What are the norms for the Polish population?

The requirement for vitamin PP during pregnancy increases to 18 mg per day, and is 1 mg lower for the breastfeeding period at 17 mg per day.

.

Where vitamin PP is found - sources in the diet

.

Vitamin PP can easily be found in many different food sources. It is found in both plant and animal products. What are good dietary sources of vitamin PPand?

.
• Meat. Meat - poultry, veal, beef, pork - is an excellent source of niacin.
• Meat.
• Fish. Many types of fish, especially oily marine fish such as salmon, tuna and anchovies, are rich sources of niacin.

• Cereals. Many cereal foods such as whole-grain breads, pasta and fortified breakfast cereals contain niacin.

.

• legumes. Various beans, peas or lentils are natural sources of vitamin PP, making them an attractive choice for those on a plant-based diet.
• Seeds. Seeds, such as sunflower or pumpkin seeds, are rich in niacin and can be a tasty addition to many dishes.

.

What is vitamin PP in - table

. .

17 mg

Vitamin PP deficiency

.

Vitamin PP deficiency is rare, but can lead to serious health problems. Possible causes of this condition include an unhealthy diet, gastrointestinal disease and excessive alcohol consumption.

• Inappropriate diet. Diet poor in vitamin PP, such as too little whole grain products, meat or fish in the diet, can lead to vitamin PP deficiency. This is particularly common in developing countries, where the main foods are often maize or milletand.
• Gastrointestinal disorders. Gastrointestinal conditions such as Crohn's disease and coeliac disease can impede the absorption of vitamins, including vitamin PP, which can result in vitamin deficiencyand.
.
• Overconsumption of alcohol. Abuse of alcoholic beverages can lead to inhibition of absorption and increased excretion of vitamin PP from the body, putting you at risk of vitamin PP deficiency .
.

What are the symptoms of vitamin PP deficiency?

.

Vitamin PP deficiency can lead to serious health symptoms. These symptoms are often varied, but most commonly include skin and mental problems and disorders from the gastrointestinal tract.

Dermal problems

.

One of the characteristic symptoms of vitamin PP deficiency is skin lesions. Insufficient niacin in the body can make the skin rough, dry, and flaky - especially in sun-exposed areas of the body. Widespread rashes are also possible, which do not subside despite typical medicationand.

Gastrointestinal disorders

.

Niacin plays a key role in metabolism, so a deficiency of this vitamin can result in various gastrointestinal problems. These symptoms can include loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhoea or abdominal painand.

Psychiatric problems

.

Inadequate amounts of vitamin PP in the body can lead to various mental disorders. In extreme cases, niacin deficiency can even cause dementia and schizophrenia-like symptoms. More common, however, are depressive states, apathy and fatigueand.

Vitamin PP deficiency disease - pelagra

.

A disease that is directly related to vitamin PP deficiency is pelagra. This condition used to be quite common, especially in areas where the diet was almost exclusively maize-based food. Nowadays, pelagra is relatively rare, especially in developed countries, but it still occurs in some regions of the worldand.

Pelagra manifests itself with the so-called 'triple "D" syndrome - dermatitis, diarrhoea, dementia, which in Polish means dermatitis, diarrhoea and dementia, respectively. Patients with pelagra have characteristic skin lesions, digestive disorders and, in an advanced state of the disease, severe neurological problems can occurand.

The treatment of pelagra is most often based on taking high doses of niacin, as well as correcting deficiencies in other nutrients. Adequate and prompt medical care can ensure that the patient is completely cured of pelagra and that all symptoms disappear.

Vitamin PP excess

.

Vitamin PP excess usually results from too much intake of dietary supplements or medications containing this vitamin. Niacin is a water-soluble vitamin, which means that the body is able to excrete excess amounts in the urine. However, with significantly increased intake, exceeding the recommended daily intake, poisoning can occurand.

Vitamin PP excess is often seen among people who unwisely use high doses of niacin to treat certain health conditions, such as high cholesterol.

It is worth noting that natural sources of niacin will not usually lead to an excess, as the vitamin PP content of the foods consumed is at safe levels.

What are the symptoms of vitamin PP excess?

.

Excess vitamin PP can lead to a number of unpleasant symptoms. Effects of an overdose include, but are not limited to, redness of the skin, headaches and dizziness, and digestive problems.

.

Redness.

There is no need to take a vitamin PP supplement.

Vitamin PP - supplementation

.

Supplementation of vitamin PP reserved is for a very limited group of people. Most of us provide adequate amounts of this vitamin with our diet. Moreover, unwise supplementation of niacin can even be hazardous to health.

Why is vitamin PP on prescription?

.

Vitamin PP is on prescription because some studies suggest that when used inappropriately it can lead to damage to the liver, hypotension, and result in stomach ulcers. Furthermore, niacin can also exacerbate allergies, gallbladder disease and thyroid problemsand.

Although there are several over-the-counter vitamin PP supplements available on the market. However, these remedies should only be taken under the guidance of a doctor, following a prior medical history.

Contraindications to the use of vitamin PP

.

Vitamin B3 is essential for the functioning of the body, but not everyone can take it in supplement form. There are specific contraindications to niacin supplementation that need to be considered before starting to take it. Which ones?

• Diseases liver. People with liver disease should avoid niacin supplementation without first consulting their doctor. Vitamin PP is metabolised by the liver, so in high doses it can lead to damage to this organand.
.
• Gastrointestinal disorders. Vitamin PP can exacerbate the symptoms of conditions such as stomach and intestinal ulcers, so people with these problems should be cautious with niacin supplementationand.
.
• Diseases thyroid. Vitamin PP may affect thyroid hormone levels, which involves adjusting the dose of medication in people who have problems with this organ .
• Goutain. Niacin can increase uric acid levels in the body, which can lead to health problems in people with goutand.
.
• Diabetes. Although niacin can be beneficial in treating high cholesterol, it can also increase blood sugar levels, putting diabetes patients at riskand.
.

Interactions of vitamin PP with drugs

.

Vitamin PP in the form of a medicine or dietary supplement can react with certain preparations. Which agents are being referred to?"

Vitamin PP may interact withand:

• anticoagulants,
.
• high blood pressure medicines,
• drugs for diabetes,
.
• drugs for diabetes,
.
• zinc,
.
• statins,
.
• chromium,
.
• allopurinol,
.

Vitamin PP - side effects

.

Like most dietary supplements, vitamin PP, too, can cause some side effects. The most typical is a feeling of warmth and redness of the skin, which usually occurs within the first few weeks of taking niacinand.

Other side effects may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and, in some cases, headaches and dizziness. High doses of vitamin PP can also 'surprise' the digestive system, causing problems such as heartburn, diarrhoea, or gasand.

Often the side effects are only temporary, but if they persist longer or gain strength, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

See also:

• Vitamin D3 - which is the best?
.
• Vitamin D3 drops
• Vitamin D overdose
• Maximum dose of vitamin D
.
• Vitamin D deficiency
.
• Vitamin D - dosage
.
• How to quickly correct vitamin B12 deficiency
• Vitamin B12 deficiency
• What vitamin D is
• Vitamin D3K2
• ADEK vitamins
.
• Pregnancy vitamins
• Vitamins for men
• Best multivitamin
• Vitamin A+E
• Biotin for hair
• Coenzyme Q10

Summary

.

.

.