What is Niacin
Niacin, vitamin B3, exists in two forms, nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. Both these forms are readily absorbed from the stomach and intestine. This is stored in small amounts in the liver and transported to tissues, where it is converted to coenzyme forms. Anything excess, comes out in urine.
Niacin benefits:
Niacin is one of the most stable of the B vitamins because it is resistant to both heat and light, and to both acid and alkali environments.
It helps break down and utilize the proteins, fats and carbohydrates for energy.
Niacin is essential for growth and helps in hormone synthesis. It is intimately involved in enzyme reactions. This is an integral part of an enzyme that enables oxygen to flow into body tissues.
Sources of Niacin:
Niacin is either available as performed nutrient or from the conversion of amino acid tryptophan.
Performed niacin may be available from meat. Tryptophan comes from milk and dairy foods. Breads and cereals are fortified with niacin. Some niacin is present in grains but our body cannot absorb them unless it has been treated with lime (mineral lime not to be confused with fruit lime) .
Combined deficiency of niacin and tryptophan causes a disease called pellagra. Long term deficiency of niacin leads to central nervous system dysfunction manifested as confusion, apathy, disorientation and eventually coma and death.
Link has been established of niacin to lower cholesterol. High doses of nicotinic acid taken orally at 1.5 to 2 grams per day, decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels. And along with diet and exercise can slow or reverse the progression of heart disease.
Supplementation should be under a physician’s guidance.