Niacin

          

         

        

         

         

                            U.S. Recommended Daily Allowances

         

          Infants      Children      Adults and           Pregnant or

         

          (0-12 mo.)   (1-3 years)   Children 4 Years +   Nursiing Women

         

          8 mg         9 mg          20 mg                20 mg

         

              (The U.S. RDA amounts are sufficient to meet the needs

          of practically all healthy people.)

          

               Niacin (nicotinic acid, nicotinamide) is a

          water-soluble vitamin whose requirement is partly met by

          conversion in the body of the essential amino acid

          tryptophan to niacin.

         

               Functions: Involved in carbohydrate, protein and fat

          metabolism.

         

               Sources: Enriched cereal-grain products; meat, fish,

          poultry, cheese, eggs, and milk because they contain

          tryptophan; peanuts; mushrooms; potatoes.

         

               Deficiency: Severe niacin deficiency causes pellagra,

          a disease characterized by mouth sores, skin rashes,

          diarrhea, and dementia.  Deficiency is rarely seen in the

          United States, though, because most people have adequate

          intakes.

         

               Excess: Large amounts of niacin, when taken in the

          nicotinic acid form of the vitamin, act as a drug.

          Nicotinic acid is often prescribed as a

          cholesterol-lowering drug, and should be taken only under

          the supervision of a physician. Side effects include

          vascular dilation of the skin (flushing) and

          gastrointestinal distress. Prolonged intake may cause liver

          damage.

         

               Nicotinamide is not known to act as a drug. Effects of

          high doses are unknown.