Vitamin B₃

Vitamin B3 is also known as niacin, nicotinic acid and vitamin PP. It is one of the group of B vitamins.

See also an overview of the main vitamins.

Active Forms of Vitamin B3:

There are two active forms of vitamin B₃ :

• Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), and
• Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP)

Functions of Vitamin B3:

The main functions of vitamin B₃ include:

• In common with vitamin B1 (thiamin) and vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 helps with the release of energy from foods and the use of oxygen in the cells of the body. - NAD⁺ and NADP⁺ are coenzymes for several dehydrogenases in redox reactions (this information is useful to people who also need to understand the chemical reactions within the body, i.e. details about metabolism)
• Promotion of healthy growth and development (in children) and to maintain healthy skin, digestive function and nervous system.
• Supports heart health and circulation.
• Production of steroid hormones in the adrenal glands.
• Supports balanced mental and emotional outlook.
• DNA repair. Specifically, NAD is needed to repair DNA in exposes areas of skin that have been damaged by UV light e.g. due to sunburn.

Sources of Vitamin B3:

There are many different types of foods that include some vitamin B₃.

Examples of sources of vitamin B₃ include:

Vitamin B3 is also included in some dietary supplements e.g. multi-vitamin tablets or capsules.

The vitamin B3 content of foods is depleted by food processing, incl. preserving and cooking.

Problems due to insufficient or too much Vitamin B3:

See also what is a balanced diet?.