Water Soluble Vitamins - Niacin (B3)
Niacin is found in food in the form of nicotinic acid and the provitamin tryptophan (an amino acid). It is found in meat in both forms and also in cereals as niacytin (which has a lower bioavailability).
Like thiamin, niacin is required as a cofactor in the metabolism of carbohydrate to produce energy. Deficiency results in pellagra, which is associated with diets high in maize or millet and is characterised by dermatitis and gastrointestinal lesions and discomfort. Diarrhoea and mental disturbance may also be observed.
Administration of supplemental niacin, usually alongside riboflavin and pyridoxine plus correction of malnutrition by way of high calorie, high protein diets are usually successful.
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