Niacin formerly called as the ‘nicotinic acid is another water soluble, B-Complex vitamin, which is intimately connected in several metabolic processes.
Functions
1. Niacin promotes growth and health.
2. It helps the digestive glands and the skin to function normally.
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3. Niacin like all other B-vitamins, take part in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins and helps the body in obtaining energy from food.
4. It protects the body against symptoms of pellagra, skin lesions, and inflammation of the mucous membrance of the mouth, tongue, intestinal tract and psychic changes.
Sources
Whole cereals, pulses, nuts and meat are good sources of nicotinic acid. Groundnut is particularly rich in this Vitamin. Although milk is poor in nicotinic acid content, yet it is effective in preventing pellagra because of its richness in typtophan. Brewer’s yeast is also a very concentrated source of niacin.
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Daily Allowance
The recommended daily allowances of niacin are 6.6 mg. per 1000 calories (adult and children). That is every adult needs 18-19 mg. of niacin; in pregnancy and lactation about 17 mg. and 21 mg. respectively and children above infancy needs 9-22 mg. of niacin daily.
Deficiency
Severe deficiency of niacin leads to a disease called pellagra, meaning ‘rough skin’. This disease is characterized by dark pigmentation and dermatitis of exposed part of the body, soreness of mouth and tongue, diarrhea, mental disturbances and anemia. Also niacin deficiency produces acute mental depression, confusion and disorientation. Finally dementia and paralysis occur. Because of all these manifestations, pellagra is called the disease of three D’s-diarrhea, dementia and dermatitis.