Vitamin B3-Niacin

• This vitamin also known as pellagra preventive factor.

• Vitamin B3 also called as Nicotinic acid.

HistoryWork Scientists Year

First isolated and called it as anti black-tongue

factor

Funk 1911

Discovered Goldberger 1928

Isolated Elvehjun 1938

Properties

• Niacin is an odourless white, crystalline substance.

• It is readily soluble in water.• It is resistant to heat, oxidation and alkalis.• It is one of the stable vitamin.• Cooking causes little actual destruction of

niacin, but a considerable amount may be lost in the cooking water.

Structure

Rich dietary sources

Foods Mcg

Barley 5400

Potatoes 1200

Cashew nuts 1200

Mango 900

Mutton 6800

Skimmed milk powder, cow’s milk 1000

Deficiency symptoms• A mild deficiency of niacin may result in a • Coated tongue.• Sores in the mouth.• Irritability.• Nervousness.• Skin lesions.• Diarrhoea.• Forgetfulness.• Insomnia.• Chronic headaches.• Digestive disorders.• Anaemia.

Severe prolonged deficiency may cause Neurasthenia (weakness of the nerves), Mental disturbances. Depression. Mental dullness. Disorientation.

Pellagra

• Pellagra is mostly seen among people whose staple diet is corn and maize.

• Niacin present in maize is unavailable to the body as it is in bound form.

• The diseases pellagra involves • Skin.• GI tract and central nervous system.• Diarrhoea.• Dementia.• If not treated may rarely lead to death.

Function in the body

• Niacin is important for proper blood circulation.

• For healthy functioning of nervous system.• It maintains the normal functions of GI tract.• It is essential for the metabolism of proteins

and carbohydrates.

• It helps to maintain a healthy skin.• It helps to increase the flow of blood to the

peripheral capillary system.• This vitamin also essential for synthesis of the

sex hormones namely oestrogen, progesterone testosterone as well as cortisone, thyroxin and insulin.

Healing and therapeutic properties

1. Pellagra • Administration of small amounts of up to

10mg or 10000 mcg per day is sufficient to cure endemic pellagra.

2. High blood pressure

• Niacin has been used as vasodilator to dilate blood vessels and to correct blood pressure changes.

3. Heart-Related Disorder

• Niacin has been found to provide relief in angina pectoris.

• It has also been found useful in case of cerebral thrombosis caused by blockage of blood vessels of the brain due to clots of blood.

5. High Blood Cholesterol

• Niacin has proved to have a remarkable effect in reducing high blood Cholesterol

4. Diarrhoea

• The administration of niacin in therapeutic doses along with other B vitamins can cure such ailments.

6. Migraine

• Niacin has been found useful in treating migraines.

• Migraine can be cure by taking large doses of niacin.

RDA

Men 15-20 mg

Women 13-15 mg

Lactating women 20 mg

Children 8-15 mg

Infants 650 mcg

Precautions

• The use of large doses of niacin for long periods cause release of histamine.