Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B3, also known as niacin, has several functions in the body, including assisting with DNA repair, facilitating cellular signaling, and helping to control cholesterol levels. Vitamin B3 can be found in vegetables like mushrooms and asparagus, legumes such as lentils, peanuts and lima beans, whole grains, poultry and some types of seafood.
Vitamin B3 is also referred to as niacin. Vitamin B3 is the basic term for a family of compounds including nicotinamide and nicotinic acid, both of which can be obtained from food.
Vitamin B3 is a water soluble vitamin, which means it dissolves best in water.
Vitamin B3 has many functions in the body including:
Vitamin B3 can be found in several foods including:
Common symptoms and resulting conditions of vitamin B3 deficiency include:
However, your individual response could be different. If you suspect a health problem or deficiency in certain nutrients, please see your primary health care provider (doctor, naturopath, etc). They can help unravel the complexity of your physiology.
Common symptoms of vitamin B3 excess/toxicity include:
However, your individual response could be different. If you suspect a health problem or an excess of certain nutrients, please see your primary health care provider (doctor, naturopath, etc). They can help unravel the complexity of your physiology.
Note: niacin from foods is not known to cause adverse effects. However, supplemental nicotinic acid may cause flushing of skin, itching, impaired glucose tolerance and gastrointestinal upset.
For recipes rich in vitamin B3, check out any of the Encyclopedia of Food entries for food items listed above.
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Vitamin B3, also known as niacin, has several functions in the body, including assisting with DNA repair, facilitating cellular signaling, and helping to control cholesterol levels. Vitamin B3 can be found in vegetables like mushrooms and asparagus, legumes such as lentils, peanuts and lima beans, whole grains, poultry and some types of seafood.
