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niacin (niŽә-sin)   a water-soluble member of the vitamin B complex that is required by the body for synthesis of the coenzymesnicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), essential components of many oxidation-reduction reactions. It also appears to act in enzyme systems for utilization of carbohydrates, fats, and amino acids, and it has vasodilator activity. Food sources of niacin are various high-protein foods such as liver, yeast, bran, peanuts, lean meats, fish, and poultry. Deficiency of niacin causes pellagra. Called also nicotinic acid.




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