Niacin and Vitamin C: Is There A Link?

Niacin and vitamin C are common supplements that provide numerous potential benefits to our health, including acting as antioxidants to help slow signs of aging and reduce the risk of disease.

But with similar effects on the body, what happens when they are taken together? In this article, find out more about the benefits of each individually and together.

What is Niacin and Why Do We Need It?

Niacin is part of the large B vitamin family and is also known as vitamin B3. Its major role is to synthesize important compounds essential for over 400 biochemical reactions in the body that help it convert the food you eat into energy. It also regulates cell signaling, DNA synthesis and repair, and prevents cell damage from oxidative stress by acting as an antioxidant.

Niacin is found in food sources like chicken, turkey, brown rice, potatoes, and peanuts. The body can also make niacin from an amino acid called tryptophan which is found in protein-rich foods.

The main health benefits of niacin include:

• Reduces blood pressure: Niacin releases prostaglandins that cause your blood vessels to widen, increasing blood flow and reducing blood pressure ¹.
• Reduce diabetes risk: Niacin can help reduce the risk of type 1 diabetes by preventing insulin-producing cells in the pancreas from getting destroyed ².
• Boosts brain function: Niacin provides essential energy for the brain to function properly. Deficiency can cause damage to brain cells and result in psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia ³.
• Improves skin health: Niacin helps protect the skin from sun damage and offers protection against skin cancer ⁴.

What Is Vitamin C and Why Do We Need It?

Vitamin C is an extremely important nutrient that is required for good health. It has numerous roles in the body, mainly fighting disease, maintaining healthy skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage, and more. Like niacin, vitamin C also has strong antioxidant properties and protects cells from damage.

The body can't produce vitamin C, so it has to be obtained through diet or supplements. Foods high in vitamin C include fruits and vegetables such as oranges, broccoli, and strawberries.

The main health benefits of vitamin C include:

• Lowers blood pressure: Vitamin C acts as a diuretic to remove excess fluid and sodium from the body, which may help reduce pressure and relax blood vessel walls ⁵.
• Immune support: Vitamin C encourages the production of white blood cells, which help the body fight off infection. It also helps these white blood cells function effectively and protects them from harmful free radicals ⁶.
• Enhances brain function: By acting as an antioxidant, vitamin C can reduce cell damage and inflammation in the brain to improve function and reduce the risk of dementia ⁷.
• Benefits skin health: Vitamin C's antioxidant properties provide a number of benefits to skin health, including improving elasticity, increasing collagen production, reducing dark circles, and increasing hydration ⁸.

The Power of Niacin and Vitamin C Combined

Both vitamin C and niacin provide similar benefits to the body and our health. When combined, their antioxidant powers are doubled, and their effects are enhanced.

Taking a multivitamin is a great way to boost your niacin and vitamin C intake. Performance Lab Nutrigenesis Multi is specially formulated for peak overall health and performance.

Conclusion

Niacin is a B vitamin that is crucial in converting food into energy to power numerous bodily processes. It reduces oxidative stress, blood pressure, and diabetes risk and improves brain function and skin health.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from damage and is essential for good health. It supports the immune system, improves skin health and brain function, and lowers blood pressure.

When taken together in a supplement, the effects of niacin and vitamin C are combined and enhanced. So, it's definitely worth getting in your daily dose of these powerful nutrients!