Common Symptoms Of A Niacin Deficiency

A niacin deficiency is a rare condition that happens when an individual cannot properly absorb niacin or its precursor amino acid, tryptophan. Niacin is also known to be called nicotinic acid and vitamin B3. As one of the eight B vitamins, niacin is imperative to the syntonization of carbohydrates into glucose, preserving nervous system health, and metabolizing proteins and fats. Niacin also positively affects circulation and cholesterol.

The amino acid tryptophan is important when it comes to niacin because the liver has the ability to convert it into niacin from protein-rich foods such as milk and meats. A niacin deficiency is most commonly caused by an inability to absorb niacin or tryptophan from food correctly as the normal human diet contains more than enough niacin in it.

Depression And Apathy

Characterized by intense hopelessness and sadness, depression is a mood disorder that often interferes with an individual's daily life. Apathy is characterized by a lack of enthusiasm, interest, or concern. A niacin deficiency can cause a deficiency of serotonin in the brain. Depression and apathy can happen as a result of less transient receptor potential channels in the brain. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter in charge of anxiety, fear, mood, and the general sense of well-being. Serotonin is made by proteins and cofactors much like other types of neurotransmitters.

When not enough protein is provided to the body through diet, a deficiency in the vitamins and minerals needed to create serotonin occurs. This deficiency includes niacin or vitamin B3. When the components needed to build the neurotransmitters are not available, a neurotransmitter imbalance occurs as a result. A combination of less TRP channels in the brain and an imbalance in neurotransmitters including serotonin can cause an individual to feel hopeless, sad, fearful, uninterested, and unconcerned.

Canker Sores

Small, shallow, and painful ulcers in the mouth are called canker sores. These kinds of sores most often occur on the tongue, inside the cheeks, gums, and inside the lips. Usually, these sores are round shaped, small, have a red border and have a white or yellow center to them. Sometimes canker sores can be so painful that talking and eating are difficult. These sores usually last anywhere between seven and fourteen days. When an individual has a particularly severe case of canker sores, they may experience a fever, swollen lymph nodes, and physical sluggishness.

While canker sores can be caused by a number of things, a niacin deficiency is strongly associated with recurrent canker sore outbreaks. The exact mechanism of how niacin deficiency causes these sores to form is still unclear, however, research has suggested it is because niacin plays a key role in cell production and hormone regulation, both of which can trigger the immune system to kick into a state of overdrive where it attacks its own tissues in the mouth. Canker sores most often resolve easily on their own, however, recurrent episodes of painful canker sores can cause the niacin deficiency to worsen.