High doses of nicotinic acid (3 g daily) can lower cholesterol (reduce LDL and triglycerides and increase HDL) and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke; high dosages should be supervised by a physician.

Deficiency causes pellagra, the symptoms of which are skin rash, diarrhea, dementia, and death.

Defi ciency may be caused by poor diet, malabsorption diseases, dialysis, and HIV.

Drugs that deplete vitamin B3: antibiotics, isoniazid, and 5-Fluorouracil (chemotherapy).

High-dose niacin, taken along with statin drugs (i.e., lovastatin), may increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis (muscle degeneration and kidney disease).

Most people get adequate niacin from diet and/or a multivitamin; supplements may be recommended for those with high cholesterol.

Food Sources : Fish, meat, poultry, dairy, nuts, seeds, whole grains, fortifi ed cereals

Adequate Intake : (mg/day)
Men = 16
Women = 14
Pregnancy = 18
Lactation = 17

Upper Limit : 35 mg/day

Side Effects : No adverse effects from niacin in foods; supplements may cause fl ushing and upset stomach; higher doses (500 mg/ day) may cause liver problems, particularly with time-release products