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Niacin Sources and Functions

Niacin

Niacin Sources and Functions

Niacin(Vitamin B3)

All of the B vitamins work together to keep you healthy and feeling good. Here is a summary of the role of niacin, a water-soluble vitamin, in your good health.

Milk Eggs Grains

Niacin Sources and Functions

What it does Functions as a coenzyme to help release energy from the food you eat
Daily needs [Infants*: 2-4 mg] [Children†: 6-16 mg] [Men: 16 mg]
[Women: 14 mg] [Pregnant: 18 mg] [Lactating: 17 mg]
Not enough Diarrhea, Vomiting, Dermatitis, Depression, Memory loss, Dementia Severe: Pellagra
Too Much Painful rash, Nausea, Liver damage (Toxicity occurs from overdose of niacin in supplements, not food.)
Foods Whole or enriched grain products, Meat and other protein foods, Nuts, Eggs, Milk, Legumes

*The lower value is for infants up to 6 mos., higher value is for infants up to a year old.
† The first value is for children 1-3 with the amount increasing until age 18.

Niacin is not easily destroyed by heat or light, as are some of the other water-soluble vitamins.

Getting Enough

In general, people who live in developed countries like the United States get enough niacin. However, those suffering from eating disorders or living in poverty may not be eating enough food to get sufficient niacin in their diet. This is particularly true where the diet is mostly unenriched carbohydrates, with few protein foods.

Precursor

Niacin has a precursor, a substance in food that your body can convert, if needed. The precursor for niacin is tryptophan, an amino acid (building block of protein). When you eat protein-rich foods, your body can convert the tryptophan to niacin.

Interesting Fact: Researchers have studied the effect of taking niacin for the prevention of heart disease. The results have been promising; however, the downside of this approach is that large doses of niacin can be toxic. As a practical matter, eating niacin-rich foods will have a beneficial effect, without the risk of toxicity.

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Niacin Sources and Functions


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