Niacin, or nicotinic acid, is a chemical that helps form vitamin B3. In addition to being available in drug stores and vitamin shops across the U.S., niacin is found in a variety of foods, including meat, fish, eggs and many green vegetables.
Niacin and vitamin B3 cannot be synthesized in the human body and must come from an outside source. People who do not get enough vitamin B3 can develop a deficiency called "pellagra" that can manifest itself through skin issues, diarrhea and mental damage. Because niacin is water soluble, it does not stay in a human's system for long and must be consistently replenished. For this reason, some people turn to vitamin supplements.
When businesses produce vitamin B3 or niacin supplements, the vitamins must be tested against known nicotinic acid standards. Because vitamins are considered a type of food for government regulation in many cases, they do not receive the same oversight that drugs do. So, it falls on vitamin producers to deliver quality products through their own testing.
Providing a quality dose of vitamin B3 is important to many vitamin producers, because people can rely on these supplements to help them get the recommended amount of the vitamin and take advantage of niacin's benefits.
Benefits of niacin
Niacin can assist the body in its processing of fats and alcohol, as well as healthy growth and function. Niacin is also a critical part, along with vitamins B1 and B2, of normal skin cell function and pigment creation. Although many people can find a healthy amount of niacin in their normal diets, some who turn to supplements are looking to lower their cholesterol.
Niacin is sometimes recommended by doctors as a part of a treatment for high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol mixed with low levels of the healthier high-density lipoprotein.
Dangers of niacin
One risk of taking niacin is confusing the natural chemical with nicotinamide, which is similarly named and also a part of some forms of vitamin B3. However, nicotinamide is not the same as niacin or nicotinic acid and should not be treated as such.
Taking more than the recommended amount of niacin can also present problems. High blood sugar levels, peptic ulcers, rashes and liver damage can all result from the over-consumption of niacin, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Consuming an appropriate amount of niacin is an important aspect of healthy functioning for people of all ages, but doses vary by age, and a doctor should be consulted prior to starting to take niacin supplements.
