What are the actions/effects of niacin?
What are the sources of niacin?
What are the adverse effects associated with using niacin?

• What are the actions/effects of niacin?
  Nicotinic acid (Niacin) in large doses reduces serum lipids. It also produces histamine leading to vasodilatation and increased blood flow (ADA, 1999). Nicotinamide (Niacinamide), does not have hypolipodemic or vasodilating effects. Nicotinamide is used by the body as a source of niacin. The different biochemical processes involved in lipid metabolism, tissue respiration, and glycogenolysis all require nicotinamide.

• What are the sources of niacin?
  Niacin (Vitamin B3) is the common name for nicotinic acid. Nicotinic acid functions in the body as a component of two coenzymes: NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, coenzyme I) and NADP (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, coenzyme II), which serve a role in oxidation-reduction reactions essential for tissue respiration. Nicotinic acid is present in NAD and NADP in its active form of nicotinamide.

• What are the adverse effects associated with using niacin?
  Individuals who use larger amounts of niacin may experience a flushing of the skin, gastro-intestinal distress, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

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