Vitamin B3 is the nutritional category including nicotinic acid and nicotinamide, compounds the body can use to make nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate. These coenzymes participate in metabolism, including transfer of reducing equivalents between reactions. Adequate dietary supply supports a reusable biochemical system rather than providing the bulk of the body's fuel.[ref]
Niacin Fact Sheet for Health Professionals by the Office of Dietary Supplements. Introduction: niacin forms, NAD/NADP and metabolic roles
For example, an oxidized coenzyme can accept reducing equivalents in one reaction and transfer them in another. The coenzyme is regenerated during the cycle, so its importance is not measured by how much of it is burned for energy. Humans can also derive niacin equivalents from tryptophan; severe inadequacy is associated with pellagra.[ref]
Niacin Fact Sheet for Health Professionals by the Office of Dietary Supplements. Introduction and Niacin Deficiency: tryptophan contribution and pellagra
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