Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

What is it?

Niacin is a water soluble vitamin. As well as being obtained from food sources, niacin can be produced by the body from the amino acid tryptophan.

Food sources

The best sources of niacin are organ and muscle meats, lambs fry, beef, poultry, fish, yeast, legumes, peanuts, vegemite, wheatbran and fruit. Up to 75% can be lost through cooking.

Main actions

Niacin is involved in a wide range of biological functions such as energy production, fatty acid, cholesterol and steroid synthesis. It may help to regulate blood sugar levels and shows anti oxidant properties.

Clinical usage

Depression

Hypercholesterolaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia (especially in when taken in conjunction with statin lipid lowering drugs)

Diabetes

Adverse effects

Flushing is a common side effect of niacin therapy although taking it at night appears to reduce this.

Episodes of gout may be aggravated in those susceptible.

Important drug reactions

Requirements of statin drugs and other lipid lowering agents may decrease due to the synergistic effect when combined with Vitamin B3

Requirements of anti diabetic medication may be decreased with the administration of Vitamin B3

Oral contraceptives may increase the need for Vitamin B3