Relationship: Burning Feet or Hands and niacin (vitamin B3)

Evidence supporting the use of: Niacin (vitamin B3)
For the health condition: Burning Feet or Hands

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Niacin (vitamin B3) has traditionally been used to support or treat “burning feet” syndrome, a condition characterized by tingling, numbness, and a burning sensation in the feet or hands. The historical basis for this use stems from the recognition that pellagra, a disease caused by severe niacin deficiency, often presents with symptoms affecting the skin, digestive tract, and nervous system. One classic neurological symptom of pellagra is “burning feet,” which was notably described in early 20th-century medical literature and observed in populations with diets deficient in niacin and tryptophan.

The rationale behind niacin supplementation is that correcting the underlying deficiency resolves the neurological symptoms, including burning sensations. However, this is only directly relevant in cases of true niacin deficiency or pellagra, which is now rare in developed countries due to niacin fortification in foods. Outside of pellagra or clear nutritional deficiency, there is little to no scientific evidence that niacin supplementation benefits idiopathic burning feet or hands, or neuropathies of other origins (e.g., diabetic neuropathy). Most modern causes of burning feet or hands are unrelated to niacin status.

In summary, while the use of niacin for burning feet or hands is grounded in the historical treatment of pellagra, its routine use for this symptom in the absence of deficiency is not supported by robust scientific evidence. Its application is thus justified by tradition and historical precedent rather than contemporary clinical research.

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Other ingredients used for Burning Feet or Hands

acetyl l-carnitine
biotin
niacin (vitamin B3)
pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
peppermint oil
thiamin (vitamin B1)
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
water
sweet flag
Benfotiamine
Burning Bush
Capsaicin
Coca
Colocynth

Other health conditions supported by niacin (vitamin B3)

Alcoholism
Arteriosclerosis
Burning Feet or Hands
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Fatty Liver Disease
Memory and Brain Function
Migraine
Schizophrenia
Triglycerides (high)

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Evidence supporting the use of: Niacin (vitamin B3)
For the health condition: Burning Feet or Hands

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Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Burning Feet or Hands

Other health conditions supported by niacin (vitamin B3)

Products containing niacin (vitamin B3)

Health Concerns

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Evidence supporting the use of: Niacin (vitamin B3)For the health condition: Burning Feet or Hands

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Burning Feet or Hands

Other health conditions supported by niacin (vitamin B3)

Products containing niacin (vitamin B3)

Evidence supporting the use of: Niacin (vitamin B3)
For the health condition: Burning Feet or Hands