Doctors tirelessly insist on the dangers of smoking, but people continue to buy tobacco products in previous volumes. But the fact that a drop of nicotine can kill even a horse is a scientifically proven fact, so everyone should think about how to abandon their addiction.
However, this article is not at all about the dangers of smoking, although it will talk about tobacco, and more precisely, about some of the substances contained in it and their derivatives. Every smoker has heard of nicotine and nicotinic acid. However, most are convinced that these components are one and the same.
There is a small amount of truth in this, but such an opinion is far from the truth. So that no one would have any questions, let's figure out how nicotine differs from nicotinic acid. We will also try to find out whether they are really so dangerous for our health or not everything is as scary as the doctors say.
general information
Before understanding the main differences, let's first find out what nicotinic acid and nicotine are. The last substance is a natural alkaloid, which is extracted from a huge number of plants in the nightshade family. The highest concentration is found in tobacco and shag.
Nicotine is one of the strongest insecticides of natural origin, so it was previously widely used to control insects. In appearance, it resembles a yellow oily liquid, which dissolves well in water.
But what is the difference between nicotine and nicotinic acid? The latter is a derivative of an alkaloid and is called niacin or vitamin B3 in scientific circles. It is one of the most important, because it takes part in many chemical and biological processes that take place in our body, as well as the secretion of certain enzymes and improves the formation of carbohydrates in living cells.
The effect of alkaloid on the body
Let's dwell on this in more detail. Above, we examined what nicotinic acid and nicotine are - the same thing or not. Now let's find out how these substances affect a person.
When ingested, they enter the brain in just 7 seconds. When smoking one cigarette, the dose is small, since most of the nicotine burns out. The alkaloid has an exciting effect on cholinergic receptors, resulting in increased levels of adrenaline. Also, a person's heart rate quickens, blood pressure increases and blood sugar levels increase.
In addition, under the influence of nicotine, dopamines are produced in the brain, as a result of which the smoker begins to experience a feeling of mild euphoria and peace, however, at the same time, the pain threshold rises. Thus, despite the fact that nicotinic acid and nicotine have something in common, nevertheless, their effect on the body is completely different. This is precisely their main difference.
Nicotine Harm
So what is worth knowing about this? Considering the differences between nicotine and nicotinic acid, it is necessary to say a few words about the threat posed by nicotine in its pure form to human health. This alkaloid is a very strong neurotoxin, too high in the blood of which can lead to cardiac arrest and paralysis of the central nervous system.
The lethal dose for an average adult male is in the range of 40 to 80 milligrams. Nicotine is addictive, and with regular ingestion it can lead to the development of various cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, and also cause inflammation of the soft tissues of the oral cavity.
Useful properties of alkaloid
Many people are interested in what is common between nicotinic acid and nicotine. So, no matter how strange it sounds, the alkaloid also has a positive property. And to be more precise, during the chemical reaction, it is transformed into niacin. As mentioned earlier, this is vitamin B3, which is an integral part of many life processes.
A bit of biology and biochemistry
As you already understood, nicotine is converted to nicotinic acid during the oxidation process. It normalizes metabolism, regulates fat metabolism and stimulates the production of many enzymes. Niacin is also found in various foods of plant origin, but its concentration in them is relatively low. Vitamin B3 deficiency is fraught with the following problems:
- pellagra;
- impaired functioning of the gallbladder;
- hormonal imbalance;
- decreased synthesis of blood cells;
- neuralgic pathologies develop;
- blood sugar and cholesterol levels increase;
- fetal development slows down during pregnancy.
Thus, the importance of nicotinic acid is quite obvious. That is why the alkaloid contained in tobacco and other plants related to it, is widely used today in pharmacology for the manufacture of many medications.
Medical use of nicotinic acid
This aspect should be given special attention. Vitamin B3, obtained from nicotine, can be purchased at any pharmacy in ampoules intended for intramuscular administration and tablets. These drugs are actively used to treat many pathologies:
- various forms of vitamin deficiency;
- inflammation of the gastric mucosa;
- metabolic disorders;
- cirrhosis and some other liver diseases;
- osteocondritis of the spine;
- angiospasm of internal organs;
- hemorrhoids;
- obesity;
- skin ulcers;
- trophic disorders;
- inflammatory damage to the peripheral nerves;
- rehabilitation after poisoning with potent toxic substances;
- ischemic stroke;
- cerebrovascular accident;
- atherosclerosis;
- noise in ears;
- decreased vision.
Thus, obtaining nicotinic acid from nicotine is a very important process, since this substance allows doctors to solve a huge number of problems and increase the effectiveness of the treatment of many serious diseases of various etiologies.
Contraindications niacin
Despite the great benefits, vitamin B3 can be used by no means in all cases. Although it is vital, it can not be assigned to people with the following problems:
- hypersensitivity to the substance;
- an ulcer flowing in acute form;
- chronic hypertension;
- any liver disease;
- violation of the rhythm of the heart;
- circulatory problems;
- neurotic disorders;
- inflammatory diseases;
- liver failure;
- stomach ulcer.
In addition to all of the above, the use of nicotinic acid is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding, since the substance enters the baby's body along with breast milk, which can lead to various problems.
Side effects
This aspect is worth exploring in the first place. In the body of smokers, nicotine is oxidized to nicotinic acid, due to which they are compensated for the lack of vitamin B3. Therefore, they should be very careful if the doctor prescribed them a course of drug therapy, which is based on niacin.
This is due to the fact that an excess of this substance can cause certain side effects with individual intolerance to nicotinic acid. Among the most common, the following can be distinguished:
- allergic reactions;
- sensitivity disorder;
- dizziness;
- rush of blood to the brain;
- redness of the skin;
- feeling of heat;
- a sharp decrease in blood pressure.
With the development of side effects, no action is required. They themselves pass after a while.
Overdose
An excess of any substance or drug will not go unnoticed, because the body will immediately let you know. An overdose of nicotinic acid and nicotine is no exception. With a significant increase in their blood levels, the following symptoms occur:
- nausea and vomiting;
- severe migraines;
- fainting
- loose stools;
- muscle pain;
- numbness of the upper and lower extremities;
- sharp and sharp pains in the stomach;
- allergic reactions accompanied by skin rash and itching;
- a sharp decrease in blood pressure.
If at least some of these clinical manifestations occur, you must immediately go to the hospital. A qualified specialist will perform a full examination and prescribe tests, if necessary, prescribe the necessary medications, which will reduce the risk of serious complications.
Vitamin B3 Deficiency
If your body has a low level of nicotinic acid, then you will certainly notice it. Due to its shortage, metabolic processes are disturbed and various health problems develop. In addition, a person begins to notice the following:
- fatigue even with small physical exertion;
- decrease in labor productivity;
- increased irritability;
- emotional instability;
- depression and lethargy;
- a pale shade of the epidermis;
- failure in the functioning of the digestive system;
- itchy skin;
- sleep disturbance;
- indifference to everything that happens;
- lack of appetite;
- violation of spatial orientation.
If you find yourself deficient in vitamin B3, then you need to go to the hospital to undergo treatment. Nicotinic acid and nicotine in cigarettes will not be able to make up for it. Smoking really harms health and slowly kills people, so it is better to completely abandon this bad habit.
Myths and stereotypes
Despite the widespread belief that nicotinic acid and nicotine are one and the same substance, in reality this is not entirely true. Yes, it is a derivative of the alkaloid, but not much in common. Moreover, niacin is produced in the intestines and liver, and is also found in many foods. According to scientists, the relationship is purely historical in nature.
Another erroneous opinion is that nicotine can dissolve in absolutely any liquid. This belief is also far from the truth. An alkaloid only interacts with a liquid, but does not react with alcohols and fats.
Also a very common stereotype concerns the area of application of niacin. Since it is vitamin B3, many are convinced that it is used exclusively for medical purposes for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. But this substance is widely used in the food industry, in which it is known as E 375. Niacin acts as a stabilizer that preserves the color of sausages and a vitamin supplement in bread, pasta and cereal.
And the last known myth is that nicotine builds up in the body. Not really. It is completely excreted in the urine, provided that its consumption does not exceed the daily norm, which is 15 milligrams.
What foods contain nicotinic acid?
In order to make up for the lack of vitamin B3 in the body, it is not necessary to inject injections or drink pills. As noted earlier, it is found in many foods. The richest niacin are:
- lentils
- mushrooms;
- legumes;
- Rye bread;
- pineapples
- buckwheat;
- potatoes;
- broccoli;
- yeast;
- nuts
- carrot;
- sunflower seeds.
In addition to herbal products, nicotinic acid is also found in animal foods. For example, it is rich in lamb, chicken breast, eggs of all kinds of birds, liver, turkey, salmon and tuna. Therefore, if you notice the symptoms of vitamin B3 deficiency, you can get rid of this problem if you correctly think through your daily diet.
Conclusion
In this article, we examined in detail what is the difference between nicotine and nicotinic acid. Despite similar names, these are two completely different substances that should not be confused. Between them, not only there is nothing in common, but even, on the contrary, they are opposite. Nicotine is addictive and harmful to health, while niacin normalizes metabolism and improves the functioning of many systems and internal organs at the cellular level. Therefore, now you will have no misconception about this, and you will not confuse the vitamin with a kind of soft drug.