Human Nutrition 3(3+0)

Lesson 26 : Nicotinic Acid (Niacin)

Physiological and biochemical functions

• Essential for the normal functioning of the skin, proper digestion and healthy nervous system.
• Important for energy metabolism i.e., the conversion of food to energy. In nicotinic acid deficiency , lesions of the skin, intestines and nervous system develop as observed in subjects suffering from pellagra.
• Nicotinic acid is a component of two co-enzymes NAD and NADP which take part in several enzyme reactions.