How Niacin Works

To be able to understand fully how niacin works, we have to be familiar first with some basic but significant facts about the substance. Niacin, also called Vitamin B3, has the following specific characteristics.

Chemical structure of niacin

Niacin can either be a nicotinamide (niacinamide) or a nicotinic acid. The nicotinamide has the amide structure while nicotinic acid has the hydroxyl and double bond structure.

These specific structures enable them to be converted into energy by biochemical reactions of cells in the body.

Tryptophan has to be mentioned as it serves as a vital precursor or the pre- molecule of niacin. Tryptophan is an amino acid which comes from various animal and food sources. Amino acids are the simplest form of proteins and are vital to the growth of cells in the body.

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