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Niacin Research Paper

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Niacin was discovered in 1937 by biochemist Conrad Elvehjem. He identified the nicotinic acid in fresh meat and yeast. This compound known as niacin, is a vitamin B3. The discovery of niacin lead to the cure for pellagra, a disease associated with niacin. Pellagra causes dermatitis, dementia, diarrhea, and ultimately death. Niacin has many functions that helps the body in many ways. Niacin helps convert food into glucose which is used to create energy, is involved in DNA replication and repair. And assist in balancing blood cholesterol level. Niacin has a many of deficiencies that have an effect on the body. Niacin is known to assistance with the cure of pellagra. Severe niacin deficiency can cause pellagra. The symptoms of pellagra are known as the four D’s. The four D’s are dermatitis, dementia, diarrhea, and death. …show more content…

The recommended dietary allowance for men is 16mg per day. The recommended dietary allowance for women is 14mg per day. Also taking tryptophan 60 milligrams equals 1 milligram of niacin. Which is referred to as niacin equivalent. There is a specific problem with niacin toxicity if taken in large amounts. Niacin toxicity can lower LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol and triglyceride levels and increase HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol. If taken in large amounts niacin flush will occur because nicotinic acid is taken in doses three or four times the recommended dietary allowance. The toxic effects of niacin liver disease, diabetes, peptic ulcers, gout, irregular heartbeats, inflammatory bowel disease, migraine headaches, alcoholism. Nicotinamide from does not improve cholesterol. Niacin remains less vulnerable to losses during food preparation and storage than other water soluble vitamins. Being fairly heat resistant niacin can endure reasonable cooking times. But like others water soluble vitamins it will leach into cooking

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