Vitamin B3 (Niacin) •Required for energy metabolism, enzyme reactions, skin and nerve health, and digestion. •High doses of nicotinic acid (3 g daily) can lower cholesterol (reduce LDL and tri- glycerides and increase HDL) and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke; high dosages should be supervised by a physician. •Defi ciency causes pellagra, the symptoms of which are skin rash, diarrhea, demen- tia, 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 (chemo- therapy). •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.
Tags: diarrhea, energy metabolism, increase hdl, isoniazid, kidney disease, lovastatin, multivitamin, multivitamin supplements, muscle degeneration, pellagra, poor diet, risk of heart attack, skin rash, tri glycerides