Niacin (vitamin B3) is also known as nicotinic acid, nicotinamide (nicotinic acid amide) and vitamin PP. Niacin is found in both cereal products and meat, but its absorption is better from meat products as the absorption from cereal products is only 30%. Alcohol and some medications affect the absorption of niacin.
Niacin is involved in the body’s energy metabolism and helps to convert nutrients into energy, thereby relieving feelings of tiredness and fatigue. It is part of the coenzymes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), which are important for oxidation-reduction reactions. The coenzymes NAD and NADP are essential for the synthesis of many lipids, including ceramides, which are essential for the skin’s barrier functions.
These enzymes are also involved in cellular energy metabolism, and they activate more than 200 enzyme dehydrogenases that are essential for electron transport and other respiratory reactions in the cells.
This is especially important for the skin, which is the largest organs in the human body and one that consumes a lot of energy. In addition, the classic signs of niacin deficiency (pellagra) are historically known to be associated with changes in the structure of the skin, confirming that niacin helps to maintain a healthy skin condition.
