Niacin, also known as vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid, is a derivative of pyridine, with a carboxyl group (COOH) at the 3-position.
Other forms of vitamin B3 include the corresponding amide, nicotinamide ("niacinamide"), where the carboxyl group has been replaced by a carboxamide group (CONH2), as well as more complex amides and a variety of esters. The terms niacin, nicotinamide, and vitamin B3 are often used interchangeably to refer to any member of this family of compounds, since they have the same biochemical activity.
Food Sources
Endogenous synthesis
The liver can synthesize niacin from the essential amino acid tryptophan, requiring 60 mg of tryptophan to make one mg of niacin
Niacin Functions
Precursor of NAD and NADP
