| Vitami B3 (niacin) | |||||
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- What is vitamin B3 (niacin)?
- Important vitamin B3 (niacin) facts
- Why vitamin B3 (niacin) is important
Vitamin B3 (niacin) is a water-soluble vitamin that is required for a variety of processes in the body. Vitamin B3 (niacin) is a component of specific coenzymes.
Being a water-soluble vitamin means that any excess vitamin B2 (riboflavin) that is consumed is normally excreted through the urine.
Vitamin B3 (niacin) is required to metabolise carbohydrates, fats, and many other substances in the body.
Deficiency of vitamin B3 (niacin) deficiency can cause pellagra, but only if tryptophan, an essential amino acid, is also deficient (as tryptophan is used to make vitamin B3).
Important vitamin B3 (niacin) facts
- The essential amino acid tryptophan can be used to make vitamin B3 (niacin), so deficiency is relatively rare
- Vitamin B3 (niacin) is a water-soluble vitamin
- Vitamin B3 (niacin) is not destroyed when foods are cooked as it is heat-resistant
Why vitamin B3 (niacin) is important
Vitamin B3 (niacin) is important to either prevent or treat various health conditions:
- High cholesterol - many studies have shown vitamin B3 (niacin) is an effective treatment for high LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels and have a positive effect on HDL ("good") cholesterol levels
- Pellagra - a deficiency of vitamin B3 (niacin) is a known cause of the condition pellagra
- Heart conditions - studies show that vitamin B3's effect on lowering LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels which can reduces the risk of atherosclerosis and heart attack (myocardial infarction)
references
- Brown BG, Zhao XQ, Chalt A, et al. Simvastatin and niacin, antioxidant vitamins, or the combination for the prevention of coronary disease. N Engl J Med. 2001;345(22):1583-1592
- Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Pantothenic acid. Dietary Reference Intakes: Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin B-12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press; 1998:357-373
- Jonas WB, Rapoza CP, Blair WF. The effect of niacinamide on osteoarthritis: A pilot study. Inflammation Research 1996; Vol 5(7); 330-334
- Mills E, et al. The safety of over-the-counter niacin. A randomized placebo-controlled trial. BMC Clinical Pharmacology 2003, 3:4
- Osiecki, Henry, The Nutrient Bible 2002, BioConcepts Publishing
To learn more, go to the following web sites:
- Food Standards Australia and New Zealand
- Dieticians Association of Australia
- Nutrient Reference Values (Australia)
