Niacin (vitamin B3) occurs in the body as two metabolically active coenzymes, NAD (nicotinamide adenine
dinucleotide) and NADP (NAD phosphate).
The niacin coenzymes NAD and NADP have pervasive roles in energy-related and biosynthetic metabolic
processes. At least 200 enzymes depend on these niacin cofactors. The NAD-dependent enzymes are
involved in mostly catabolic, oxidative reactions that release energy from carbohydrate, fat, and protein,
whereas the NADP-dependent enzymes more commonly function in biosynthetic pathways of such
compounds as fatty acids and steroid hormones.
Independent of its functions as NAD or NADP, niacin is also involved in the regulation of normal blood
lipoprotein and cholesterol levels. † Dietary niacin is generally well absorbed and taken up by the liver which
converts it to NAD and NADP. Any excess niacin is metabolized by the liver and excreted by the kidneys.
Because the liver has a limited capacity to metabolize niacin, high doses of regular, crystalline niacin are often
not well tolerated, causing vasodilatory side effects known as skin-flushing and itching. For maximum benefit
and fewer side effects, Niatab™ 500 releases its niacin over an extended period of time. This way, the niacin
is more efficiently utilized by the liver and more evenly distributed to peripheral tissues compared to crystalline
niacin. For the same reasons, Niatab™ 500 can generally be used at somewhat lower doses than crystalline
niacin supplements.