
Vitamin B3/Niacin is a water soluble vitamin which means obtaining on a daily basis is necessary as water soluble vitamins are not stored in the tissues for later use in the way that fat soluble vitamins are. Vitamin B3/Niacin plays a major role in the body in the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein and fatty acids for energy production. Vitamin B3/Niacin is also known for its antioxidant potential.

The Recommended Daily Allowance is 16mg for adult males and 14mg for non pregnant adult females.
Niacin Deficiency can cause a condition known as Pellagra and is a triad of:
- Dermatitis in sun exposed areas
- Diarrhea
- Dementia
Other symptoms of Vitamin B3/Niacin Deficiency include:
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Delusions
- Encephalopathy
- Fatigue
- Headaches

Oral supplements of Vitamin B3/Niacin are used to treat various medical conditions including:
- High Cholesterol
- Arthritis
- Prevention of Heart Disease and Diabetes
- Improved cognition
- Vitamin B3 Deficiency
Pharmaceutical doses of Vitamin B3/Niacin can cause symptoms such as flushing, vomiting, nausea, pruritis, elevated liver enzymes and constipation.

Vitamin B3/Niacin deficiency is rare in the United States as most people are able to obtain their daily dose of Vitamin B3 through their diets. There are numerous options for you to choose from to add Vitamin B3/Niacin to your diet. Some examples of Vitamin B3/Niacin rich foods include:
- Liver
- Beef
- Chicken
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Anchovies
- Turkey (in the form of Tryptophan)
- Pork
- Corn Tortillas
- Brown Rice
- Sunflower Seeds
- Legumes such as chickpeas, lentils and peanuts
- Corn tortillas
- Seeds such as sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds
- Nuts such as cashews
- Soy such as soymilk, tofu and edamame
- Broccoli
- Apples
- Banana
- Spinach
- Onions
- Avocado
- Mushrooms
- Green Peas
- Tomatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
- Raisins
- Enriched Brown and White Rice
- Yeast

As you can see from the list above, obtaining your daily Vitamin B3 is easy for most simply through a balanced diet. Add these foods to your meals and get started!
This article is for information purposes only. Prior to starting any supplements or making any diet changes, please always consult your medical provider.
Wondering what your vitamin levels are? Check out Rootine.
References:
Overview of water-soluble vitamins. Pazirandeh et al. Uptodate.com. Accessed 2020
Niacin Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Accessed 2020. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Niacin-HealthProfessional/
Institute of Functional Medicine Fact Sheet. Micronutrients:Vitamins. Accessed 2020
Mayoclinic.org. Niacin. Mayo Clinic Staff. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-niacin/art-20364984. Accessed 2020