In: Biology
describe the digestion and absorption of vitamin b3
Vitamin B3(Niacin) is a water soluble vitamin. Niacin is
naturally present in many foods, both animal based(beef, fish) and
plant based ( nuts, legumes, grains) and as a dietary supplement.
Niacin is absorbed in the body by small intestine and some of it by
the stomach. The tissues in the body convert absorbed niacin into
its metabolic active form,the coenzyme nicotinamide adenine
dinucleotide(NAD). The NAD is converted into NADP(nicotinamide
adenine dinucleotide phosphate) in most of the tissues.
Both NAD and NADP are required in the metabolic processes in the
cells. they are primarily involved in reactions that transfers the
potential energy in carbohydrates, fats, to ATP. NAD is also
responsible for cellular functions such as genome integrity,
control of gene expression etc.
Niacin is mostly absorbed by the body even if taken in high doses
and later metabolized to NAD. The excessive niacin or unmetabolized
nicotinic acid may be present in urine.