Sources
Pork, organ meats, red meats, whole grains or enriched grains, nuts, cooked dried beans and peas, milk, cauliflower and spinach.

High-Risk Groups
Alcoholics; Elderly; A low-quality diet comprised mostly of highly refined carbohydrates; Nursing infants whose mothers consume a vitamin B1 poor diet; High intake of coffee, tea, raw seafood, nitrite presrvatives, chlorinated tap water; Malabsorption syndromes; Chronic liver disease.

Deficiency Consequences
Pellegra is the name given for a deficiency of niacin. Symptoms consist of dermatitis, diarrhea and dementia.

Toxicity/Side Effects
Excessive amounts are rapidly cleared by the kidneys and excreted in the urine. No evidence of toxicity has been reported.

Contraindications
Liver dysfunction, active peptic ulcer.

Additional Information/Precautions

B-3 is known as Niacin or Nicotinic Acid. Niacin is converted to its active form niacinamide in the body. A flushing reaction and a sensation of warmth, especially within the first two hours around the face, neck and ears. Other possible effects are itching, tingling and headache. Effects are transient and usually subside with continued therapy. A prostaglandin inhibitor or 325 mg aspirin taken thirty to sixty minutes before niacin will reduce/elimitate the flushing reaction. Niacin may upset the stomach and therefore is better tolerated with food. Observe caution in individuals with coronary disease, liver disease, gallbladder disease, history of jaundice, peptic ulcer or arterial bleeding. May reduce glucose levels, therefore monitor diabetic patients. Niacin may also increase uric acid levels, and therefore use caution in individuals predisposed to gout.

Drug Interactions
Niacin give with Lovastatin may have caused rhabdomyolysis in one patient. The uricosuric effect of sulfinpyrazone may be inhibited.