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Niacinis a B vitamin (vitamin B3) needed for many critical bodily functions.
You need niacin for digestion, skin health, nerve function, and metabolism.
Like other B vitamins, niacin is water-soluble and isn’t stored for long periods in the body.
Female shelling an egg above a wooden cutting board.Anjelika Gretskaia / Getty Images
This means that you better consume niacin regularly to prevent a deficiency.
What Is Niacin Deficiency?
In the United States and other industrialized nations,niacindeficiency is a rare but potentially serious condition.
Niacin deficiency happens when the body lacks enough vitamin B3.
Low niacin levels can be due to diet, health conditions, or other factors.
Niacin is found in certain foods and dietary supplements, typically in the form ofnicotinic acidornicotinamide.
NAD and NADP are involved in hundreds of important chemical reactions throughout your body.
The symptoms of niacin deficiency typically affect the gastrointestinal tract, the skin, and the neurological system.
The rash may worsen when exposed to sunlight.
Ulcers and sores may also occur inside the mouth, throat, and esophagus.
Additional symptoms of niacin deficiency may include:
In extreme cases, niacin deficiency may lead toanorexiaand death.
Causes and Risk Factors
Some people may be more likely to become deficient in niacin than others.
One of the most common causes of niacin deficiency is undernutrition.
People with anorexia or health conditions in which nutrients are not appropriately absorbed may also become deficient in niacin.
People taking certain medications may also be at risk of niacin deficiency.
This may cause niacin levels to decrease.
How Much Niacin Do I Need?
Knowing how much niacin you need daily may help you lower your risk of deficiency.
Your niacin needs depend on factors like your age and gender.
The following chart provides the recommended mg NE by age and gender.
Pregnancyand lactation increase niacin needs.
People who are pregnant need 18 mg NE, while those who arebreastfeedingneed 17 mg NE per day.
You may obtain niacin from foods or supplements containing niacin or tryptophan-containing foods.
How Is a Niacin Deficiency Diagnosed?
If you suspect you have niacin deficiency, it’s essential to have it properly diagnosed.
To be diagnosed with niacin deficiency, ahealthcare providerneeds to complete a clinical evaluation.
A healthcare provider may ask about your health history and complete a physical exam during the evaluation.
Putting off a trip to a healthcare provider’s office may delay treatment.
In most cases, niacin deficiency can be cured, especially when treated in the early stages.
Niacin Deficiency Treatment
Niacin deficiency is treatable and may include dietary changes or taking supplements.
Besides nicotinamide, nicotinic acid supplements or niacin supplements may also be used to treat niacin deficiency.
However, nicotinic acid and niacin supplements are more likely to causefacial flushingthan nicotinamide supplements.
Eating more foods rich in niacin and tryptophan may also help treat niacin deficiency.
No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
Complications of Untreated Niacin Deficiency
If left untreated, niacin deficiency may become dangerous.
Skin sores because of niacin deficiency may become infected if not treated.
Untreated niacin deficiency may also lead to nerve damage, especially in the brain.
Other systems and organs may also be affected by untreated niacin deficiency.
The brain and nervous system are especially vulnerable to untreated niacin deficiency.
Finally, untreated niacin deficiency may cause multiple organ failure and death.
Preventing Niacin Deficiency
For most people, niacin deficiency can be prevented with a well-balanced diet.
Whenever possible, try a food-first approach to reach your niacin needs.
Your body typically absorbs nutrients better from food than from supplements.
Beef, chicken, turkey, and certain fish are high animal sources of niacin.
Brown rice, peanuts, and fortified breakfast cereals are great nonanimal sources of niacin.
It is important to regularly consume all B vitamins to prevent niacin deficiency.
B vitamins are prevalent in protein foods (meat, eggs, dairy, etc.
), leafy green vegetables, legumes, and fortified foods.
A niacin supplement or B vitamin complex may be necessary for some people to treat niacin deficiency.
Niacin deficiency happens when you don’t have enough niacin in your body.
Niacin deficiency should be diagnosed and treated by a healthcare provider.
Untreated niacin deficiency may lead to severe complications, including death.
Fortunately, niacin deficiency can be prevented with a balanced diet and care from a qualified healthcare provider.
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