This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Niacin

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Niacin, also known as nicotinic acid, is a water soluble vitamin derived from the amino acid tryptophan. Nicotinamide is its amide form. It is an essential component of the coenzymes NAD and NADP, concerned with energy releasing reactions.

Sources include yeast, meats, liver, fish, whole-grain products, peas, beans, instant coffee, cheese and nuts. Milk and eggs have minimal niacin content but contain tryptophan. Metabolically, niacin can be produced from tryptophan in the presence of pyridoxine. Typically, half the physiological requirements of niacin are obtained directly whereas the other half is obtained from tryptophan.

In lipid metabolism, it inhibits production of cholesterol and assists in fat breakdown.

Deficiency results in pellagra.


Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.