Niacin also called Vitamin B3 or Nicotinic Acid is a water-soluble B Vitamin that needs to be replenished on a daily basis. Niacin can be manufactured in the body by using amino acid tryptophan, which is present mostly in all dietary proteins. The body needs an adequate amount of B1, B2 and B6 to produce Niacin from tryptophan.
Know Your Nutrient:
- Niacin is a crucial vitamin for the metabolism of carbohydrate, protein, and fats.
- Niacin is required for releasing energy from food.
- It is needed for the synthesis of sex hormones.
- Niacin is necessary for building a healthy nervous system and brain functions.
Niacin deficiency can lead to a disease called Pellagra with symptoms such as soreness of the tongue, pigmented skin, diarrhoea, and dermatitis.
Niacin Friendly Foods:
Foods rich in Niacin are meat, dairy products, whole cereals, pulses, nuts especially groundnuts.
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