The Vital Role of Niacin in Human Health

Niacin, also known as nicotinic acid, stands as a crucial member of the B vitamin family, playing multifaceted roles in our physiological processes. Acting as a vital component of coenzymes, niacin actively participates in the intricate dance of carbohydrate, fatty acid, and amino acid production and breakdown within our bodies.

One of its remarkable functions lies in its ability to dilate blood vessels, thereby regulating blood flow and cardiovascular health. The absence of an adequate niacin supply can result in pellagra, a debilitating condition characterized by a constellation of symptoms including diarrhea, dermatitis, and nervous system disorders, and in severe cases, it can lead to fatality.

Interestingly, niacin's importance extends beyond the obvious dietary intake. While it can be obtained from various food sources, the body possesses the remarkable capacity to synthesize niacin from the amino acid tryptophan, with the assistance of riboflavin, further emphasizing its significance in human metabolism.

Understanding the nuanced requirements of niacin is crucial for maintaining optimal health. Adults typically require a daily intake of 13-20 mg of niacin, with additional demands during pregnancy, lactation, and periods of active muscular exertion. Children also necessitate a sufficient intake ranging from 5-16 mg per day to support their growth and development.

When it comes to dietary sources, certain animal-derived foods stand out as excellent reservoirs of niacin. Beef, hog, and lamb livers are particularly rich sources, offering a concentrated dose of this essential nutrient. Additionally, other organs and muscle tissues from these animals contribute to meeting our niacin needs, albeit to varying degrees.

In conclusion, niacin emerges not only as a critical participant in metabolic pathways but also as a guardian of cardiovascular health and overall well-being. Recognizing its diverse roles and ensuring adequate intake through a balanced diet is paramount for promoting optimal health and preventing the debilitating consequences of deficiency-related conditions like pellagra.
The Vital Role of Niacin in Human Health

Roles of niacin (vitamin B3) in human body

The term niacin refers to nicotinic acid and nicotinamide (also called niacinamide). Niacin, also known as nicotinic acid and vitamin B3 is one of the vitamins belonging to vitamin B complex.

Niacin is the generic name for nicotinic acid (pyridine-3-carboxylic acid), nicotinamide (niacinamide or pyridine-3-carboxamide), and related derivatives, such as nicotinamide riboside.

All tissues in the body convert absorbed niacin into its main metabolically active form, the coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD).

More than 400 enzymes require NAD to catalyze reactions in the body, which is more than for any other vitamin-derived coenzyme. NAD is also converted into another active form, the coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), in all tissues except skeletal muscle.

Co-enzymes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), is directly or indirectly involved in many metabolic functions including the digestive system, skin, and nerves.

NAD functions as an electron carrier for intracellular respiration as well as a co-factor for enzymes involved in the oxidation (catabolism) of fats, proteins, carbohydrates and alcohol to produce energy. NAD is also required as a substrate for non-redox reactions.

These enzymes and their products seem to be involved in DNA replication, DNA repair, cell differentiation and cellular signal transduction. NADP is important for the reductive biosynthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol. Like NAD, NADP is a cofactor for enzymes, such as in the oxidation of glucose-6-phosphate to ribose-5-phosphate in the pentose phosphate pathway.

Vitamin B3 (nicotinic acid) supplements in high doses have been used successfully to lower elevated LDL (bad) cholesterol and fat (triglyceride) levels in the blood and to increase HDL (good). Vitamin B3 deficiency causes a condition called pellagra.

Niacin vitamers are found in both plant and animal foods, and due to the contribution of tryptophan, foods containing balanced protein may also contribute to high niacin equivalent.
Roles of niacin (vitamin B3) in human body

Niacin deficiency

First documented in 1735 by a Spanish physician named Gaspar Casal the niacin deficiency disease pellagra was originally named ‘mal de la rosa,’ or ‘red sickness.’ Its due to the telltale redness that appears around the necks of people with the disease.

Pellagra means ‘rough skin’ in Italian. The great pellagra epidemic in America’s South did not emerged until the early twentieth century.

Because the niacin coenzymes NAD and NADP are involved in just about very metabolite pathway, niacin deficiency wreaks havoc throughout the body. It also that the depressive psychosis is assumed to be because of inadequate formation of the neurotransmitter serotonin as a result of tryptophan deficiency.

The classical features of endemic pellagra are dermatitis, inflammation of the mucous membranes, diarrhea and psychiatric disturbances.

The dermatitis often appears after exposure to sunlight and resembles sunburn.

Pellagra condones to plaque people living in Southeast Asia and Africa however, whose diet lack sufficient niacin and protein.
Niacin deficiency

Niacin

Niacin is a water soluble B vitamin important for DNA repair and energy metabolism.

Niacin is the name for two similar nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. In 1867, nicotinic acid was produced from nicotine in tobacco. In the early 1940s, with its role as a vitamin established, it was renamed “niacin” so people wouldn’t confuse it with nicotine.

Niacin is part of coenzyme that participates in the production and breakdown of carbohydrates, fatty acids, and amino acids. It involved in at least 200 metabolic pathways.

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).

Pellagra is characteristically associated with maize based diets.

The disease pellagra has been known since the introduction of corn to Europe in the 1770s. The connection between pellagra and niacin was confirm in 1937 by an American scientist who reaching for the cause of pellagra.

In industrialized country, particularly among alcoholics, niacin deficiency may present with only encephalopathy.

Niacin comes form 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.

Most niacin in the American diet comes from meat, poultry, fish, nuts and peanuts an enriched and while grain products.

In grains, niacin is present ion covalently bound complexes with small peptides and carbohydrates, collectively referred to as niacin.
Niacin

Niacin and Pyridoxine

Both niacin and Pyridoxine are under group of vitamin B.

Niacin
Niacin 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.

Pyridoxine
Pyridoxine (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