Definition
A water-soluble vitamin required by the body for health, growth and reproduction; part of the vitamin B complex.

Alternative Names
Diet - niacin; Nicotinic acid

Function
Niacin assists in the functioning of the digestive system, skin, and nerves. It is also important for the conversion of food to energy.

Food Sources
Niacin (also known as vitamin B3) is found in dairy products, poultry, fish, lean meats, nuts, and eggs.Legumes and enriched breads and cereals also supply some niacin.

Side Effects
A deficiency of niacin causes pellagra. The symptoms include inflamed skin, digestive problems, and mental impairment.

Large doses of niacin can cause liver damage, peptic ulcers, and skin rashes.It can be used as a treatment for elevated total cholesterol levels, but should only be used with medical supervision.

Recommendations
Recommended daily allowances (RDAs) are defined as the levels of intake of essential nutrients that the Food and Nutrition Board judges to be adequate to meet the known nutrient needs of most healthy persons.

The best way to get the daily requirement of essential vitamins is to eat a balanced diet that contains a variety of foods from the food guide pyramid.

Specific recommendations for each vitamin depend on age, gender, and other factors (such as pregnancy).