NiacinNiacin or nicotinic acid is another B vitamin. Niacin is part of coenzyme that participates in the production and breakdown of carbohydrates, fatty acids, and amino acids.
It is also a compound that dilates blood vessel. Deficiency on niacin causes pellagra a (disease that causes diarrhea, dermatitis, nervous disorders, and sometimes death).
In industrialized country, particularly among alcoholics, niacin deficiency may present with only encephalopathy.
Niacin comes from the diet, but the body can also manufacture it from the amino acid tryptophan, with riboflavin helping out in the process.
Adults require 13-20 mg niacin. In pregnancy, lactation and active muscular work, niacin requirement is further increased by 3-4 mg. Children require 5-16 mg niacin.
Beef, hog, and lamb livers are excellent sources of niacin. Other organs and the musculature of these animals are good to fair sources.
PyridoxinePyridoxine (vitamin B6) is part of the enzyme systems that removes CO2 from the acid group (COOH) of certain amino acids and transfers amine groups (NH2) from one compound to another in the body.
It is also needed for the utilization of certain amino acids.
Pyridoxine also participates involved in the production of neurotransmitters, the chemicals signaling agents of the nervous system. This including dopamine, serotonin, epinephrine, norepinephrine and gamma aminobutyric acid.
Pyridoxine is unique in that both the deficiency and toxic states result in neurological symptoms.
Deficiency manifestations are dermatitis around the eyes, eyebrows, and angels of the mouth.
There are also a sensory neuritis, and a decrease in certain white blood cells and an increase in others.
Prolonged deficiency leads to fall in hemoglobin, mental depression, confusion, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal distension and convulsions.
Bananas, barley, beef and beef organs, cabbage, raw carrots , yellow corn, lamb and organ of lamb, malt, molasses, tomatoes, tuna and wheat bran.
Niacin and Pyridoxine
