Cebu City - Why is vitamin B3 (niacin) essential in our body? Vitamin B3 should be present in our diet because it gives benefits to our bodies. Niacin, often known as vitamin B3, is a water-soluble nutrient necessary for DNA repair, metabolism, and energy production.
According to the Well Being Journal, more than 200 enzymes in the body are supported by vitamin B3, which has been extensively researched for its role in maintaining cardiovascular, digestive, and mental health.
A severe niacin deficit results in pellagra, a disorder that causes constipation/diarrhea, a bright red tongue, and a black, occasionally scaly rash to appear on skin areas exposed to sunlight. A significant niacin deficit can also manifest as:
- Depression
- Headache
- Fatigue
- No memory
- Hallucinations
There are also groups of people who are at risk for deficiency of this vitamin. These are people who only eat limited diets, and people who have chronic alcoholism and carcinoid syndrome. These factors affect the absorption and utilization of niacin.
People shouldn’t be alarmed about the symptoms of B3 deficiency because this specific vitamin is found in many food sources, both from plants and animals. These include red meat, poultry, fish, brown rice, fortified cereals and bread, nuts, seeds, legumes, and bananas. //PDO I Noah Vincent D. Gallo, RND, MSPH
