Vitamin B3 (niacin) is commonly known as niacin and niacinamide. These compounds are precursors to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), a coenzyme in cellular redox reactions that plays a central role in aerobic respiration.
The role of vitamin B3 in health:
Vitamin B3 has anti-inflammatory properties by modulating host immune cells and plays an important role in maintaining immune homeostasis. Unlike other B vitamins, vitamin B3 can be produced by mammals through the endogenous enzymatic pathway of tryptophan and stored in the liver, and can also be obtained from the diet.
the role of vitamin B3 in health
Animal-based foods such as fish and meat contain vitamin B3 as niacinamide, while plant-based foods such as beans contain vitamin B3 as niacin. Both niacinamide and niacin are absorbed directly through the small intestine, where niacin is converted to niacinamide.
In humans, vitamin B3 deficiency causes pellagra, a disease characterized by intestinal inflammation, diarrhea, dermatitis, and dementia.
Foods high in vitamin B3:
Whole wheat products, brown rice, mung beans, sesame seeds, peanuts, mushrooms, seaweed, figs, dairy products, eggs, chicken, liver, lean meat, fish, etc.
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