One of the vitamers of niacin.
A B vitamin. Nicotinic acid is a derivative of pyridine and is interchangeable with its amide, nicotinamide. Both forms of the vitamin are equally active. Nicotinamide is a component of the coenzymes NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and NADP, its phosphate. Nicotinic acid is required in the diet but can also be formed in small amounts in the body from the essential amino acid tryptophan. A deficiency of the vitamin leads to pellagra. Good sources of nicotinic acid are meat, peanut butter, enriched bread, and some cereals. Nicotinic acid is present in some untreated cereals (e.g. com) in a bound unavailable form. The adult recommended intake is 1 8 mg equivalent per day (1 mg equivalent is equal to 1 mg of available nicotinic acid or 60 mg tryptophan).
Nicotinic acid is a member of the vitamin B complex. It is essential for human nutrition, the normal daily requirement for an adult being about 15—20 mg. A deficiency of nicotinic acid is one of the factors in the etiology of pellagra, and either nicotine acid or nicotinamide is used in the treatment of this condition. Nicotinic acid also reduces the concentration of blood lipids.
A variation of niacin. In addition to its role as a vitamin supplement, nicotinic acid is also recommended as a medication for reducing lipid levels and as a vasodilator. Elevated doses are employed in addressing specific forms of hyperlipidemia (a metabolic condition characterized by elevated fat levels in the bloodstream). Derivatives of nicotinic acid are utilized to enhance blood circulation in conditions like peripheral vascular disease.
Undesirable outcomes linked to nicotinic acid tend to occur more frequently at elevated dosages, encompassing symptoms such as flushing, dizziness, nausea, palpitations, and itching.