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Feel Better, Live Longer with Vitamin B-3: Nutrient Deficiency and Dependency

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Feel Better, Live Longer With Vitamin B-3
by Abram Hoffer, PhD, MD, FRCP(C) with Harold Foster, PhD, 2007, CCNM Press, Toronto

When two such highly qualified professionals as Abram Hoffer, PhD, MD, FRCP(C) (biochemist, physician and psychiatrist-retired) and Harold Foster, PhD (medical geographer) explain how we can feel better and live longer by taking vitamin B-3, we would do well to consider their wise words. In this book, Dr. Hoffer and Harold Foster, PhD teach us why certain nutrients are so important to human health that deficiencies can cause serious health problems; some individuals require extra nutrients to the point that they depend on high levels to maintain good health and, as if that wasn't enough to remember, some nutrients have medicinal properties. After introducing the concepts of nutritional deficiencies and dependencies, this book focuses on the practical aspects of vital amine B-3, an essential nutrient which has three names, in its various forms - nicotinic acid, niacin, niacinamide. The authors explain how B-3 can help us to maintain good health. They survey 15 health problems which respond to vitamin supplements:
(1) pellagra (a nutritional deficiency which leads to psychosis but resolves taking niacin), (2) schizophrenia (which responds to niacin or niacinamide or no-flush niacin, but requires higher doses of vitamin B-3 along with ascorbic acid and other supplements), (3) pyroluria, (4) alcoholism, (5) anxiety, (6) cardiovascular,
(7) stroke, (8) senility (9) Huntington's, (10) Parkinson's and several others including cancer.

Abram Hoffer obtained his PhD in biochemistry before he became a physician and a psychiatrist. Over his long and distinguished career, he researched the healing properties of vital amines, trace minerals, amino acids, energy and enzyme cofactors, precursors and substrates - these biochemical names may seem complicated but, these molecules are nutrients. It turns out that human beings need the right mix of the right nutrients to maintain normal health. That makes certain nutrients essential. Day to day, most of us don't think about nutrition as we rush through our busy days, gulping down our food, the faster the better. Might our eating choices affect our health? Most doctors don't bother with nutrition; exceptionally, Abram Hoffer studied biochemical and nutritional problems which affect some patients to the point that they develop metabolic disorders. Most psychiatrists avoid the complications of biochemistry; Abram Hoffer connects essential nutrients to health and illness and teaches us, in layman's terms, that our bodies and our brains need optimum `fuels', the right amounts of the right molecules, to restore and maintain good health.

In the 1950s, Hoffer applied his PhD in biochemistry to research whether vitamins, B-3 and C, nicotinic acid and ascorbic acid, could help patients who suffered episodes of psychosis. Many of his acute schizophrenic patients recovered taking medicinal doses of niacin or niacinamide (a methyl acceptor) along with ascorbic acid (an antioxidant). Dr. Hoffer's regimens worked safely and effectively and he became fascinated by the healing properties of essential nutrients. His research continued, for over fifty years.

Dr. Hoffer networked with open-minded health professionals. Together they conceptualized, researched, and developed a complementary restorative dimension of healthcare. In 1962, Linus Pauling, PhD named it "orthomolecular" medicine. Dr. Hoffer explains, "The practice of orthomolecular medicine recognizes that diseases are due to a metabolic fault that is correctable in most patients by good nutrition, including the use of vitamins and mineral supplements." Unfortunately, few physicians studied Hoffer's research and few doctors offer orthomolecular care. Believing that many people could benefit if they learned about restorative care, Hoffer became an author and an educator. In his many books, articles and editorials, published over the past fifty years, Abram presented his findings to patients, families and health professionals. His latest book is a classic example of his style of painstaking research and clear reporting.

Co-author Harold Foster, PhD, a geography professor, applies his perspective to medical matters. Ordinarily, we expect a geographer to focus on the outdoors - landscapes, boundaries, features and maps. Professor Foster's books include What Really Causes Schizophrenia, What Really Causes AIDS and What Really Causes Alzheimer's. He considers the history of medical discoveries, identifies where diseases occur, suggests factors which can contribute to the frequency of an illness and maps new roads to healing.

For decades while researching and developing regimens for patients, Hoffer took a daily dose of niacin. He experienced the niacin flush with two brief side effects: 1. warmth and 2. redness. How many physicians self-test their treatments? Will you live as long as Abram Hoffer if you take an optimal dose of vitamins, including B-3, i.e. niacin, every day? If your doctor says that vitamin B-3 cannot possibly help you, remember that Dr. Hoffer wrote this book in his 90th year. During his outstanding career, while helping thousands of patients recover and live well, Abram Hoffer learned that niacin really can help people feel better and live longer. Few doctors have dedicated themselves as diligently as Abram Hoffer to helping mankind understand the health-maintaining and health-restoring qualities of essential nutrients.

Hoffer and Foster wrote this clear, concise, insightful, helpful and hopeful book about vitamin B-3 so the general public can easily learn why human beings need niacin to live well. If it turns out that we suffer from B-3 deficiencies or dependencies, we can ask health professionals to recommend B-3 supplements. The authors explain the research and provide the references. Consider their message: optimum doses of niacin, an essential nutrient, can help people feel better and live longer. We can all use this inspiring book to help ourselves and our families. If you want to feel better and live longer, you owe it to yourself and your family to read this book. Then you will understand about maintaining good health by eating a balanced diet and taking supplements of essential nutrients.

reviewed by Robert Sealey, BSc
author of Finding Care for Depression, Mental Episodes & Brain Disorders
90-Day Plan for Finding Quality Care

Excellent book but it's just on one subject; Vitamin B3 (Niacin). You can read all about Niacin and Dr. Hoffer's fantastic work AND A LOT MORE by buying or reading a copy of "Reverse Heart Disease Now: Stop Deadly Cardiovascular Plaque Before It's Too Late" by Stephan Sinatra.

The title sounds like it might be a self help book. It gives tons of case histories, and supporting data, and practically no clue as to what amount might be safe to take. Very disappointed. This might be good for academics or the skeptical, but it's a waste if you want information on how to take it on your own.

Ya got it was good i read it now its sitting on my shelf colecting dust very happy deffinatly want to support the cutting of trees for my apattite for books.