What is niacin, and where is it found?
Niacin is a B vitamin — vitamin B-3 to be precise — that is used by your body to convert carbohydrates into sugar (glucose), which your body then uses for energy. Niacin also helps keep your nervous system, digestive system, skin, hair and eyes healthy. That’s why niacin is often a part of a daily multivitamin, though most people get enough niacin from the food they eat. You may see niacin labeled in many different ways. As part of a multivitamin or supplement, it’s often just referred to as niacin. When it’s used as a treatment, such as when it’s used to increase your HDL cholesterol, it’s sold in higher doses. Some common brand names of niacin in these forms include Niaspan, Niacor or Slo-Niacin. Niacin is also sometimes referred to as nicotinic acid. Niacin is found in many foods, including dairy products, lean meats, poultry, fish, nuts and eggs. In addition, many breads and cereals have niacin added to them. Niacin is also available in a variety of different forms as either prescr
