Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Snapshot
Niacin (vitaminโฏB3) is a waterโsoluble B vitamin that supports cellular energy production, healthy lipid profiles, skin integrity, and nervous system function through its roles in NADโบ/NADPโบ coenzymes.
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What is Vitamin B3 (Niacin)?
Niacin refers to nicotinic acid and its amide form nicotinamide. Both serve as precursors to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADโบ) and NAD phosphate (NADPโบ), essential cofactors for redox reactions in metabolism and DNA repair.
Where It Comes From
Dietary niacin is found in meats, fish, nuts, legumes, and whole grains. It can also be synthesized endogenously from tryptophan. Supplemental forms include immediateโrelease nicotinic acid, extendedโrelease nicotinic acid, and nicotinamide.
Key Nutrients & Compounds
Provides nicotinic acid and nicotinamide, which are converted to NADโบ/NADPโบ to facilitate glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, fatty acid oxidation, and antioxidant regeneration.
Health Benefits
Niacin improves lipid profiles by raising HDLโcholesterol and lowering triglycerides and LDLโcholesterol; supports skin and mucosal health; aids DNA repair and cell signaling; and contributes to healthy nervous system function.
Recommended Dosage
The adult RDA is 16โฏmg NE (niacin equivalents) per day for men and 14โฏmg NE/day for women. Therapeutic lipidโmodifying doses range from 500โฏmg to 2,000โฏmg of nicotinic acid daily, typically in divided doses.
How to Use It
Take niacin with meals to reduce flushing and gastrointestinal upset. Immediateโrelease forms may be split into multiple smaller doses; extendedโrelease formulations should be taken once daily at bedtime to minimize adverse effects.
Who Should Use It?
Individuals with dyslipidemiaโparticularly low HDL or high triglyceridesโunder medical supervision; those with pellagra (niacin deficiency); and anyone requiring support for cellular energy metabolism or skin health.
Possible Interactions or Cautions
Highโdose nicotinic acid can cause flushing, itching, liver enzyme elevations, hyperuricemia, and glucose intolerance. Use cautiously with statins due to increased risk of myopathy. Monitor liver function during extendedโrelease therapy.
Final Thoughts
Niacin is a versatile B vitamin with unique lipidโmodifying and metabolic roles. Dietary intake usually meets requirements, while therapeutic use of nicotinic acid requires careful dosing and monitoring to balance benefits against adverse effects.
Scientific Studies
CannerโฏPL, BergeโฏKG, WengerโฏNK, etโฏal. Fifteen year mortality in Coronary Drug Project patients: longโterm benefit with niacin. JAMA. 1986;256(14):1725โ1734. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.256.14.1725
BrownโฏBG, ZhaoโฏXโQ, ChaitโฏA, etโฏal. Simvastatin and niacin, antioxidant vitamins, or both in coronary disease. N Engl J Med. 2001;345(22):1583โ1592. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa011331
BodenโฏWE, ProbstfieldโฏJL, AndersonโฏT, etโฏal. Niacin in patients with low HDL cholesterol levels receiving intensive statin therapy. N Engl J Med. 2011;365(24):2255โ2267. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1107579