Niacin

-
VitaminB3/Nicotinamide/Nicotinic
acid
• Nicotinic acid was first isolated from rice
polishing
• Component of coenzyme I and coenzyme
II and several transporting enzymes in
the tissues
 Functions
• Vital to the normal functioning of the
skin, intestinal tract and nervous system.
• It protects the tissues from pellagrous
lesions.
• Plays an important role as coenzyme in
- DNA repair,
-calcium mobilization,
-intracellular respiration,
-fatty acid & steroid synthesis.
• Metal chelating ability: This explains its
biological interactions with essential
trace metals e.g it is a part of a complex
that may potentiate insulin response in
man.
 Sources
Niacin is widely distributed in plant
and animal foods.
Rich Sources
• Dried yeast,
• Rice polishing,
• Peanuts,
• Liver
 Good Sources
Whole cereals,

Legumes

Meat

Fish
 Fair Sources:
• Milled cereals,
• Maize,
• Roots and tubers,
• Other vegetables,
• Milk
• Eggs
 Tryptophan
An essential amino acid can act as a precursor of
niacin in our body.
Milk is rich in tryptophan but not niacin. It is
therefore considered a fair source of niacin.
60 mg of tryptophan = 1 mg of niacin.
Total niacin in diet is calculated as
Niacin Equivalents (mg)=
niacin content (mg) +1/60 tryptophan content
(mg)
 Retention of Niacin

• Removal of the bran in

the milling of wheat
reduces the niacin
content of white wheat
flour to a low level.
• Niacin is readily soluble
in water, but it is
resistant to heat,
oxidation and alkalies.
• It is one of the most
stable vitamins.
 Deficiency of Vitamin B3
• Pellagra which is a chronic wasting disease
associated with
• Characteristic Dermatitis that is bilateral and
symmetrical,
• Dementia – after mental changes including
insomnia and indifference preceding an obvious
encephalopathy
• Diarrhoea resulting from inflammation of the
intestinal mucous surfaces.
 3 D’s
• Dermatitis
• Diarrhoea
• Dementia.

• It affects the various organs and

organ systems in the following
manner
 Digestive System
• Predominant symptoms are glossitis
(inflammation of the tongue) and diarrhea.
• Cheilosis(Cracking at the corners of the
mouth)
• Stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth) may
vary from mild redness, soreness and
smoothness of the tongue and mouth to
extreme inflammation with fiery red mucosa
and tongue, ulceration and secondary
infection of the tongue.
• Nausea and vomiting are also seen.
• Diarrhoea with blood and mucous may
range from a few to several stools a day
 Skin
• Dermatitis is the characteristic feature of the
disease and is symmetrical in distribution.
• Bright red, sunburn like erythema occurs
over the exposed parts of the body.
• With improvement, the skin becomes dry,
less red and the surface desquamates.
• The dermatitis is precipitated with exposure
to sunlight
 Nervous System
• In acute pellagra, Delirium (confusion) is
the most common mental disturbance.
• In chronic cases, Dementia is more
frequently seen.
• In mild cases, mental disturbances
consisting of irritability, peripheral
neuritis, paralysis, change in disposition,
inability to concentrate and poor memory
are more common.
 Occurrence

Cases of niacin deficiency have been

found in people suffering from Crohn’s
disease (inflammatory disease of GI
tract)
 Toxicity
Administration of chronic high oral
doses of nicotinic acid can lead to
hepatotoxicity as well as dermatologic
manifestations.
 RDA
• ICMR recommended RDI for
individual intake of niacin as niacin
equivalents for adult is 6.6 mg/1000
kcal
• Sedentary male 16 mg/day
• Sedentary female 12 mg/day.
• With pregnancy and lactation, the
RDA increases to about 14 – 16 mg /
day.
 Recap
• Which ability of niacin explains its biological
interactions with essential trace metals?
• Which are the three D’s of Pallegra?
• Though deficient in niacin why is milk
considered its fair source?
• What are effects of deficiency of niacin on
digestive system?
• Which GI tract disease can cause Pallegra?
 Homework
• List functions of niacin.
• What are Niacin Equivalents?
• Explain the implication of pallegra on nervous
system?
• Calculate the niacin requirements for an
adolescent girl.
• List the sources of niacin as rich, good & fair.