A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
K
L
M
N
P
R
S
T
V
W
Vitamin B3 benefit
Vitamin B3 benefit
Vitamin B3 deficit
Vitamin B3 deficit
Vitamin B3 source
Vitamin B3 source

Niacin
Definition:
A water-soluble vitamin required by the body for health, growth and reproduction; part of the vitamin B complex.

Alternative Names:
Diet - niacin; Nicotinic acid

Function:
Niacin assists in the functioning of the digestive system, skin, and nerves. It is also important for the conversion of food to energy.
Food Sources:
Niacin (also known as vitamin B3) is found in dairy products, poultry, fish, lean meats, nuts, and eggs.  Legumes and enriched breads and cereals also supply some niacin.
Side Effects:

A deficiency of niacin causes pellagra. The symptoms include inflamed skin, digestive problems, and mental impairment.

Large doses of niacin can cause liver damage, peptic ulcers, and skin rashes.  It can be used as a treatment for elevated total cholesterol levels, but should only be used with medical supervision.
Recommendations:

Recommended daily allowances (RDAs) are defined as the levels of intake of essential nutrients that the Food and Nutrition Board judges to be adequate to meet the known nutrient needs of most healthy persons.

The best way to get the daily requirement of essential vitamins is to eat a balanced diet that contains a variety of foods from the food guide pyramid.

Specific recommendations for each vitamin depend on age, gender, and other factors (such as pregnancy).  The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a PDF file that lists these http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/dga/rda.pdfrecommendations.
Review Date: 2/11/2001
Reviewed By: Aparna Oltikar, M.D., Department of Community Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
adam.com