What is Niacin? (Vitamin B3), deficiency symptoms, causes, foods rich in Niacin, RDA Niacin

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Deficiency: Not surprisingly history shows that the roles of Niacin was found while trying to identify the causes for people suffering from a combination of body weakness, cracked scaly and discoloured skin, and problems of the digestive tract and in certain acute cases a kind of dementia today identified as Pellagra. Pellagra was/is known as the disease of the four "Ds" (as first established by Dr. Joseph Goldberger in 1914)

Symptoms and Signs

Normally Pellagra is uncommon in developed countries.

Epithelial tissue – (DERMATITIS)
- Skin- rashes or lesions seen are bilaterally similar and are seen especially where they are most exposed to the sun or at pressure points and in extremities. So both hands, feet and around the skin topically called as Casals necklace after the person who identified the cause
- Mucous membrane-mainly of oral cavity but sometimes also affects both vagina and urethra. The lesions seen at the corners of the mouth are called angular stomatitis. Swelling and purple tongue is called Glossitis, causing difficulty in salivation and eating.
GUT – (Diarrhoea) The inner mucosal membrane of the entire gastro intestinal system is also affected. The person may suffer from nausea, vomiting, constipation sometimes alternated by diarrhoea that could be bloody due to ulcerations of the bowel.
Nervous system - (Dementia) if not treated, the person’s central nervous system starts getting affected and the person begins to hallucinate, has psychosis with memory lapses, disorientation, confusion, paranoia/ delirious etc, moving on to encephalopathy and dementia.
Finally, with the combined causes it can lead to Death.

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User Comments

09 August, 2011 | Vijayalakshmi Iyengar | Reply

Studies have shown that Lp(a)-a type of protein is usually higher in patients with coronary artery disease. Niacin supplementation seems to not only to lower Lp(a) levels but also increases levels of HDL (good)cholesterol.
However a few more conclusive studies are required to study the link between Lp(a) levels and heart diseases

11 July, 2011 | Shakti | Reply

On seeing the extensive role of Niacin in our body, I am a little worried as foods in India are not fortified with Niacin as in the West. As long as I was there I was using processed foods but here I eat mainly fresh foods. Could you please tell me how I can ensure that I am getting sufficient Niacin in my daily diet?
I would also like to know if there are any symptoms we need to watch out for if we have a mild deficiency of Niacin?

12 July, 2011 | Poonam | Reply

Dear Mr Shakti
Niacin deficiency is not very common in people eating a normal healthy balanced diet.Symptoms of deficiency include skin lesions, mouth ulcers,distention in the abdomen,nausea, diarrhea, memory loss and confusion.
If in doubt ever, it is best to check with your physician.

12 July, 2011 | Meghan | Reply

I take 2 grams of niacin every day. Niacin can raise HDL by 15 to 35 percent. This makes niacin, a simple B vitamin, more effective than any cholesterol drug ever invented.

13 July, 2011 | Vijayalakshmi Iyengar | Reply

Yes Megan, Niacin can raise your good cholesterol by 15-35%. However its always good to let your primary physician prescribe the supplements instead of indiscriminately taking them or at least keep him /her informed on what supplements you are on in case of sudden allergies or toxicity.
Vijayalakshmi Iyengar
Sr.dietitian, NutritionVista.com

12 July, 2011 | Vijayalakshmi Iyengar | Reply

Dear Shakti
If a person eats a well balanced diet, there will be no chance for any deficiency normally.However as Niacin (vitamin B2) is a water soluble vitamin, foods rich in B2 need be eaten everyday.
On the flip side, in connection with fortification of most foods with niacin, there is a study that shows that probably it is one of the reasons contributing to Obesity in the US.
http://www.physorg.com/news193572389.html
So let us all focus on eating well, holistically ..in short a balanced diet.. everyday.
Vijayalaksmi Iyengar
Sr.Dietitian, NutritionVista.com

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