Chapter 4

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

Gianfranco Calogiuri

Abstract

Niacin is an essential nutrient necessary to the human body for numerous enzymatic pathways requiring nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and its derivatives for redox metabolism. Niacin can be deficient despite its fortification in flour and cereal products. Niacin deficiency can present in several different forms, although the most known and recognized is pellagra disease. Immediate type hypersensitivity to nicotinic acid is rare and it was reported with intravenous administration only. Even allergic contact dermatitis are reported exceptionally and it occurs mainly with the topical use of nicotinic acid derivatives more than vitamin B3 itself.

Total Pages: 31-35 (5)

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