Niacin, or vitamin B-3, has several health benefits, including its ability to help reduce your low-density lipoprotein, commonly known as your bad cholesterol, levels. The mineral zinc normally occurs in various foods you eat and plays a role in your immune system health as well as the growth of children. Both niacin and zinc are over-the-counter supplements available as stand-alone items or as part of multivitamins. Before you take supplements of either niacin or zinc, speak with your doctor about it.
Niacin Benefits
When you do not get enough niacin or vitamin B-3 in your diet, or if you have a health issue that prevents your body from absorbing enough of the vitamin, you may take it as a supplement. Niacin can help decrease the LDL portion of your cholesterol as well as the fatty acids known as triglycerides, Drugs.com indicates. Reducing the levels of both of these substances can help clear your arteries and blood vessels of blockages and a condition known as atherosclerosis or coronary artery disease. This, in turn, can reduce your risk of getting a heart attack or a stroke.
Niacin Side Effects
Niacin can produce some serious side effects as well as non-serious and temporary ones. Those classified as serious include lightheadedness and syncope, jaundice and muscle problems, Drugs.com indicates. For example, if your skin or the whites of your eyes become yellow, it indicates jaundice, a serious problem with your liver. Your muscles may feel tender or you may feel overly weak. You also may develop a change in your normal heartbeat when you take niacin. You may have an accelerated heart rate known as tachycardia, or your heart may beat irregularly. Contact your medical practitioner immediately if any of these side effects occur. Niacin also can make you feel chilled or break out in a sweat. It can cause diarrhea and nausea as well. These types of side effects generally fade as your body acclimates to the vitamin.
Zinc Benefits
Zinc also occurs in foods but may be taken as a supplement by itself as in a multivitamin. It helps your reproductive health as well as your blood-clotting abilities, the University of Maryland Medical Center indicates. It also helps you have proper vision and ensures correct thyroid function and insulin levels in most people. The University of Maryland Medical Center also notes that the mineral possesses antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help prevent cancer by protecting your cells from invasion by broken-off molecules known as free radicals.
Zinc Side Effects
The most common temporary side effect of taking zinc is the sudden experience of a metallic taste in your mouth. This generally ends as your body adjusts to the mineral supplement. During this adjustment period, you also may feel sick to your stomach and you may vomit. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that excessive amounts of zinc in your system may induce hallucinations, muscle coordination problems and anemia, among other side effects. Seek a doctor's aid if these types of side effects occur.
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