▶ Previous Artlcle : #2-5. Introduction of Energy Vitamin B-Complex
Vitamin B3 (Niacin or Nicotinic Acid)
Vitamin B3 (niacin) is also a vitamin involved in energy metabolism.
It mainly forms NAD and NADP to perform oxidation and reduction reactions and produce ATP energy (Figure 6).
In addition, the intake of a large amount of nicotinic acid (1,500mg/day) reduces LDL-cholesterol and increases HDL-cholesterol.
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However, the amount can be obtained only when taken for pharmacological purposes, and it is not the effect that can be obtained by simply ingesting food.
A typical niacin deficiency is known as pellagra.
Pellagra is represented by 4D symptoms including dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, and death.
Niacin deficiency mainly occurred in the poor who suffered from famine in the past or who ate corn as staple food, especially when animal protein intake was little as tryptophan was not converted to niacin.
Recently, it is known to occur during alcoholism or chronic diarrhea.
Symptoms start with weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, and indigestion, and progress to pellagra after several months, leading to death.
In general, hypervitaminosis does not appear well, but may occur when nicotinic acid is used for pharmacological purposes. Therefore, the upper limit of intake is limited to 35mg/day.
Figure 6. Niacin and NAD.
-To be continued
