niacin

American  

[nahy-uh-sin] / ˈnaɪ ə sɪn /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. nicotinic acid.

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niacin British  

/ ˈnaɪəsɪn /

noun

1. another name for nicotinic acid

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niacin Scientific  

/ nī′ə-sĭn /

1. A water-soluble organic acid belonging to the vitamin B complex that is important in carbohydrate metabolism. It is a pyridine derivative and is a precursor of the coenzyme NAD. Niacin is found in liver, fish, and whole-grain foods. Deficiency of niacin in the diet causes pellagra. Also called nicotinic acid. Chemical formula: C ₆ H ₅ NO ₂ .

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Etymology

Origin of niacin

First recorded in 1935–40; ni(cotinic) ac(id) + -in ²

Compare meaning

How does niacin compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• niacin vs. niacinamide

Example Sentences

Flour is already fortified with calcium, niacin, thiamine and iron as a means of improving public health.

From BBC

Cleveland Clinic researchers have identified a new pathway that contributes to cardiovascular disease associated with high levels of niacin, a common B vitamin previously recommended to lower cholesterol.

From Science Daily

It’s a diet that’s low in niacin, or at least the kind that our bodies can readily absorb.

From Scientific American

I have been taking niacin for years along with vitamin C and the amino acids lysine and proline.

From Seattle Times

The researchers extracted uracil, niacin and some other organic compounds in the Ryugu samples by soaking the material in hot water and then performing analyses called liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry.

From Reuters