Niacin, Vitamin B-3

Niacin/ Nicotinic Acid) derived from Yeast, lean meat, defficient = Pellagro.
Niacin is cconverted in the body to Nicinamide. Pellagra a disturbance of the GI tract, skin and nervous system. In a milder form of deficiencey patients are nervous, irritable have indigestion, Diarrhea or constipation, and abnormal skin pigmentation.
Lean meats, poultry, fish are a good source of Niacin . Milk and Eggs are good sources of the precursor substance, tryptophan. Science can synthesize Niacin from the essential amino acid, tryptophan, diets low in both Niacin an d tryptophan are the most likely to produce clinical deficiency. All of the B-Complex must be used. Niacin lowers cholestrol and in psychiatric contexts to differentiate between psychoses of dietary an d non-dietary origin.
Side effects- flushing, GI upset, not to be used by those with peptic ulcers since nicotinic acid causes a release of histamine and stimulates hydrochloric acid secretion. Take with meals lowers side effects.


Source of information--- Bergersen Pharmacology in Nursing 13 edition.
Thanks to Louis B. RE, my uncle Louie for giving me this book.