Niacin is also known as nicotinic acid or vitamin B3. It is a water soluble vitamin. A derivative of niacin called nicotinamide is used as a coenzyme NAD and NADP for hydrogenases of glucose oxidation. Niacin is readily converted in the body into nicotinamide.
Primary niacin deficiencies occur when the dietary intake of niacin containing food is inadequate. Together with it, even tryptophan deficiency is noted in primary niacin deficiency. It is usually present in people eating maize as the corn protein is deficient in tryptophan. Deficiency of various B vitamin is accompanied with primary niacin deficiency.
Secondary niacin deficiency occurs when there is chronic diarrhea, cirrhosis of liver or in a chronic alcoholic.
It is an important vitamin of the B group. It is known as nicotinic acid to organic chemists. It was derived from yeast. Most of the classic symptoms of pellagra, diarrhoea, and mental derangement were relieved with the administration of niacin.
Although nicotinic acid is chemically related to nicotine found in tobacco, it has none of its physiological properties. It is, therefore, commonly called niacin to avoid confusion. Niacin is an odourless, white, crystalline substance, readily soluble in water.
Cooking causes little actual destruction of niacin, but a considerable amount may be lost in the cooking water and drippings from cooked meat if these are discarded. In a mixed diet, 15 to 25 per cent of niacin of the cooked foodstuff may be lost in this way. Sulphur drugs, alcohol, food-processing techniques, and sleeping pills tend to destroy this vitamin.
Niacin is absorbed from both the stomach and intestines and stored in all the tissues. It is excreted in the urine, mostly as its salts, and to a smaller extent, as free niacin.
Lack of Niacin Symptoms
Symptoms of niacin deficiency are:
- Diarrhea
- Dermatitis
- Dementia
- Canker sores.
- Swollen mouth and red tongue.
- Vomiting.
The triad of symptoms gives rise to a condition called as pellagra.
Chronic diarrhea will gradually cause dehydration and it will not allow the absorption of nutrients. Dementia results into loss of memory, irritability, fatigue and aggression. Dermatitis is mainly seen areas exposed to sun. Elbow, hands and neck are involved. Insomnia, hair loss and edema are other symptoms often seen in a patient suffering from pellagra.
Treatment for Niacin Deficiency
- Eat food high in niacin such as meats, high protein food such as fish, whole meal cereals and pulses, beans, nuts, mushrooms and variety of vegetables.
- Coffee is also useful source.
- Include dairy products.
- Supplementation with niacin and multivitamin is useful.
- Related Topics
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- L Carnitine Deficiency: Symptoms, Side Effects Of Low L Carnitine Levels
- Low Zinc Levels Causes, Symptoms, Effects: Foods For Zinc Deficiency
- Benefits Of Niacin: Health Benefits Of Niacinamide Or Vitamin B3
- Folate Deficiency Symptoms And Causes: B12 And Folic Acid Deficiency
Vitamin B3 niacin function is energy production, fat, carbohydrates and protein metabolism and the manufacture of various body components and hormones.
Vitamin B3 niacin benefits include: effective treatment of dermatitis (dry, scaly skin), arthritis and impaired GI tract functioning.
Rich sources are: eggs, organ meat, fish and peanuts.