What Is Niacin?
Niacin is one of the eight B vitamins, and it’s also called vitamin B3 There are two main chemical forms of niacin: nicotinic acid
niacinamide (sometimes called nicotinamide) Both forms are found in foods as well as supplements Summary Niacin is one of eight water-soluble B vitamins.
Why Do People Take Niacin?
As a cholesterol treatment, there are good studies showing that niacin can boost levels of good HDL cholesterol and lower triglycerides. It’s sometimes prescribed in combination with statins for cholesterol control, such as rosuvastatin (Crestor, Ezallor), simvastatin, fluvastatin (Lescol), atorvastatin (Lipitor) and pravastatin (Pravachol). However, niacin is only effective as a cholesterol treatment at fairly high doses.
Deficiency Symptoms
In the past, niacin deficiency was common, especially in the Southern States of the U.S. Now, however, most people get enough vitamin B-3 in their diet. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) , a person who lacks vitamin B-3 may experience: a pigmented rash on skin that is exposed to the sun
rough appearance to the skin
bright red tongue
fatigue or apathy
vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea
circulatory problems
depression
headache
memory loss
in severe cases, hallucinations A severe lack of vitamin B-3 can result in pellagra. Factors that can lead to low levels of B-3 include: having a diet low in tryptophans or a condition that reduces the body’s ability to convert tryptophan to niacin, such as Hartnup disease or carcinoid syndrome
undernutrition, for example, due to alcohol use disorder, anorexia, and inflammatory bowel disease
a low intake of vitamin B-2, B-6, or iron, as this can reduce the amount of tryptophan that converts to niacin Click here to find out more about vitamin B-3 deficiency.
Uses In Medicine
In the past, some people have combined vitamin B-3 with statin use as a treatment to control cholesterol. However, research into this has produced mixed results, and some people have had adverse effects. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Dietary Supplement Label Database recommend 16 milligrams (mg) a day of vitamin B-3 for anyone of 4 years of age or over who is consuming a 2,000-calorie diet.
On this basis, those who eat a well-balanced diet will tend to consume enough niacin in their food.