In this Article
- What are vitamins?
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B1
- Vitamin B2
- Vitamin B3
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
Vitamin B3 is most commonly known as niacin. It has been shown to help turn carbohydrates into energy, assist with the proper functioning of the nervous and digestive systems, and help maintain healthy skin. There is also evidence that it can help increase HDL or "good" cholesterol levels. Niacin is found in animal products, nuts, green vegetables, legumes, and enriched and fortified cereals
The following is the RDA for niacin:
|1-3 years||6 mg||6 mg||N/A||N/A|
|4-8 years||8 mg||8 mg||N/A||N/A|
|9-13 years||12 mg||12 mg||N/A||N/A|
|14-18 years||16 mg||14 mg||18 mg||17 mg|
|19+ years||16 mg||14 mg||18 mg||17 mg|
Pellagra is the disease that occurs due to a severe niacin deficiency. The symptoms of pellagra are known as the four Ds: dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, and death. Prior to this, the symptoms of a niacin deficiency will involve the digestive system (diarrhea, vomiting, bright red tongue), the skin (dark pigmented rash that develops symmetrically in areas exposed to sunlight, thick and scaly skin), and the nervous system (fatigue, depression, headache, apathy, disorientation, and memory loss).
Next: Vitamin B6
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