NORDIC NUTRITION RECOMMENDATIONS 2023

Niacin (vitamin B₃)

DIETARY INTAKE		BIOMARKER		HEALTH EFFECTS
	↗	Indicator of recommended intake Urinary excretion of niacin metabolites, i.e., N-methyl-nicotinamide and N-methyl-2-pyridone-carboxamide	→	Beneficial effects Oxidation-reduction reactions in energy metabolism and synthesis/degradation systems
Nicotinic acid (pyridine-3-carboxylic acid) Nicotinamide (pyridine-3-carboxamide) Tryptophan (60 mg equals 1 mg niacin equivalents, NE)
	↘	Indicator of adverse effect No qualified biomarker of adverse effects can be identified	→	Adverse effects of high intake Flushing, pruritus, rash, gastrointestinal symptoms, new-onset diabetes

AR (NE/d) RI (NE/d)	Females 12 14		Males 15 18

For more information about the health effects, please refer to the background paper by Riitta Freese and Vegard Lysne (Freese & Lysne, 2023).

Dietary sources and intake. Niacin (vitamin B₃) is the common term for nicotinic acid (pyridine-3-carboxylic acid), nicotinamide (pyridine-3-carboxamide) and derivatives that exhibit the biological activity of nicotinamide (EFSA, 2014g; Freese & Lysne, 2023; IOM, 1998b). The main sources in Nordic and Baltic countries are meat, eggs, fish, dairy, legumes (including peanuts), and cereals. Protein-rich foods contribute to the niacin intake through endogenous conversion from tryptophan, and 60 mg tryptophan is equivalent to 1 mg NE (Freese & Lysne, 2023). The average niacin intake ranges from 12.7 to 41 NE/d (Lemming & Pitsi, 2022).

Main functions. Oxidation-reduction reactions in energy metabolism and various synthesis/degradation systems, DNA repair, transcriptional regulation, circadian rhythms, mitochondrial homeostasis and calcium signalling (EFSA, 2014g; Freese & Lysne, 2023; IOM, 1998b).

Indicator for recommended intake. The relationship between intake and urinary excretion of nicotinamide metabolites (EFSA, 2014g; Freese & Lysne, 2023; IOM, 1998b).

Main data gaps. Dose-response of niacin intake and health outcomes.

Deficiency and risk groups. The classical niacin deficiency disease is pellagra characterized with diarrhoea, photosensitive dermatitis, dementia, and, if not treated, death. Pellagra is mainly observed in populations consuming predominantly a maize-based diet or a diet with other cereals with low protein content and low bioavailability of niacin (Freese & Lysne, 2023).

Dietary reference values. Based on urinary excretion of niacin metabolites the AR is set to 1.3 NE/MJ for females and males. Assuming a BMI of 23 kg/m²and PAL 1.6, this corresponds to AR of 12 NE/day (in females) and 15 NE/day (in males). RI is set to 1.6 NE/MJ (corresponding to 14 NE/day (females) and 18 NE/day (males)). The UL for nicotinamide and nicotinic acid is 900 and 10 mg/day, respectively.

Niacin (vitamin B3)

Niacin (vitamin B₃)