Vitamin B3

(niacin or nicotinic acid; niacinamide or nicotinamide)

DRI (RDA or AI for Adults)

Males: 16 mg NE. Females: 14 mg NE. Pregnancy: 18 mg NE. Lactation: 17 mg NE. (NE = niacin equivalent.) 1 mg niacin = 60 mg tryptophan.

Adult Maintenance - Therapeutic Range

50 - 1,000 mg

Major Sources (20 mg to 3 mg per serving)

Veal liver, beef liver, peanuts, chicken white meat, mackerel, trout, salmon, chicken dark meat, lamb, turkey white meat, brewers yeast, turkey liver, beef kidney, pork, peanut butter, sunflower seeds, almonds.

Non-Therapeutic Importance

As part of enzyme system (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NAD), aids in transfer of hydrogen and acts in metabolism of carbohydrates and amino acids; involved in glycolysis, fat synthesis and breakdown, and tissue respiration; the niacinamide form does not cause flushing, but will not reduce serum cholesterol levels.

Deficiency Symptoms

Diarrhea
Glossitis
Irritability
Mental confusion
Pellagra

Increased Risk for Deficiency

Alcoholism
Chronic diarrhea
Deficiencies of vitamins B1, B2, B6
Diabetes
Dietary restrictions
Malabsorption
Neoplasms
Prolonged fever
Stress
Trauma

Possible Therapeutic Applications

CONSULT WITH A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL FIRST: HIGH DOSAGE NOTE: Consult first with your physician if you have diabetes, glaucoma, gout, impaired liver function, or peptic ulcers. Supplementation may prevent, correct deficiencies caused by, or be helpful with, the following conditions:

Acne
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS, HIV)
Aging
Alcoholism - niacinamide only
Allergies (allergic rhinitis, hay fever)
Anxiety - niacinamide only
Asthma
Atherosclerosis (heart disease) - niacin only
Cancer
Cardiac Arrhythmias
Cataracts
Diabetes
Eating Disorders (anorexia, bulimia)
Headache (migraine) - niacin only
Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) - niacin only
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Inflammation (including bursitis)
Intermittent Claudication (poor circulation)
Learning Disorders (including ADHD)
Lupus (SLE)
Memory Loss (Alzheimer's disease, dementia)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Osteoarthritis - niacinamide only
Parkinson's Disease
Raynaud's Disease - niacin only
Rheumatoid Arthritis - niacinamide only