Vitamin Library

Vitamin A Thiamin B-1 Riboflavin B-2 Niacin B-3
Pantothenic Acid B-5 Pyridoxine B-6 Cobalamin B-12 Biotin
Beta Carotene Bioflavonoid Vitamin C Choline & Inositol
Vitamin D Vitamin E Vitamin K Paba
Niacin (B-3)

DESCRIPTION

Niacin comes in two forms: acid (nicotinic acid) and amide (nicotinamide) – neither of which has anything in common with nicotine. Niacin was also referred to as "PP" because it prevented pellagra, a niacin-deficiency disease whose symptoms are diarrhea, dermatitis and dementia. In common with other B vitamins, niacin is water soluble. In addition to preformed niacin occurring in foods, niacin may also be made in the body from the amino acid, tryptophan. Sixty molecules of tryptophan are required to make one molecule of niacin.

BENEFITS

The acid form, nicotinic acid, plays an important role in the nervous system and circulation. The amide form, nicotinamide, processes carbohydrates, fats and proteins as part of the production of energy.

SAFETY

Nicotinic acid can cause flushing if taken in megadoses. The Health Food Manufacturers’ Association recommends as a result that timed-release nicotinic acid should not be available, and the maximum dosage should be 100 mg. Nicotinamide is considered safe up to 2,000mg/day.

WHO MAY NEED TO SUPPLEMENT

Schizophrenics

Alcoholics

REQUIREMENTS (RNI)

THE RNI VALUES (COMA 1991) FOR NIACIN

AGE

(mg/day)

0-6 months

3

7-9 months

4

10-12 months

5

1-3 years

8

4-6 years

11

7-10 years

12

11-14 years (females)

12

11-14 years (males)

15

15-18 years (females)

14

15-18 years (males)

18

19-50 years (females)

13

19-50 years (males)

17

50+ years (females)

12

50+ years (males)

16

Lactation

15

DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS

Diarrhea, dermatitis and dementia (pellagra)

Nervous tension

BEST FOOD SOURCES

NIACIN, TRYPTOPHAN, NIACIN EQUIV.

FOOD

(mg/100g)

(mg/100g)

(mg/100g)

Coffee, instant

24.8

186

27.9

Chicken

5.9

221

9.6

Beef, stewing steaks

4.2

258

8.5

Pork chop

4.2

180

7.2

Cheese, cheddar

0.1

367

6.2

Fish, white

2.9

189

6.0

Mung beans, dry

2.0

210

5.5

Eggs

0.1

217

3.7

Peas, frozen

1.6

58

2.6

Bread, whole-meal

4.1*

108

1.8

Potatoes

0.6

52

1.5

*The niacin in whole-meal bread is unavailable to the body; the niacin equivalent figure comes from the tryptophan contribution.

THERAPEUTIC USES

Arthritis sufferers have found niacin supplementation can improve mobility.

Alcoholics demonstrate the same type of mental

disturbance as schizophrenics, and both groups respond better to niacin supplementation in megadoses (strictly under medical supervision) than to many drug treatments.

Under medical supervision, megadoses of niacin have been known to reduce blood cholesterol.

INTERACTIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS

Niacin works with the other B-complex vitamins, but may be taken separately as part of nutritional therapy. If taken singly, it should be combined with thiamin and pyridoxine which taken together ensure nervous stability and the conversion of L-tryptophan to nicotinic acid. People suffering from diabetes, gout, stomach ulcers and liver problems should not take nicotinic acid.