Vitamin B3 (niacin)

Question 1

List the properties of vitamin B3 (niacin)

Answer 1

Water soluble

Insoluble in fat

Stable to acids

Stable to alkalis

Heat stable

80-90% loss during milling

Question 2

What is vitamin B3 (niacin) stable to?

3

Answer 2

Acids
Alkalis
Heat

Question 3

How much of vitamin B3 (niacin) is lost during milling?

Answer 3

80-90%

Question 4

List the sources of vitamin B3

6

Answer 4

Fortified breakfast cereals 
Bread 
Meat 
Offal 
Tuna 
Nuts

Question 5

List an alternative source of vitamin B3 other than food

Answer 5

It is produced in the intestine from the amino acid tryptophan

Question 6

What amino acid produces vitamin B3 in the intestine?

Answer 6

Tryptophan

Question 7

List the functions of vitamin B3 (niacin)

3

Answer 7

Aids the metabolism of carbohydrates to release energy

Helps maintain healthy skin

Supports healthy nerve activity

Question 8

List the effects of deficiency of vitamin B3 (niacin)

Answer 8

Tiredness and irritability dur to a lack of energy

Pellagra

Cognitive impairment

Question 9

What is pellagra?

Answer 9

A severe deficiency disease which results in dermatitis, diarrhoea, depression, dementia and eventually death

Question 10

What are the ‘five Ds’ associated with pellagra?

Answer 10

Dermatitis 
Diarrhoea 
Depression 
Dementia 
Death

Question 11

A deficiency of vitamin B3 (niacin) results in cognitive impairment , describe this deficiency

Answer 11

Delayed nerve impulses lead to cognitive impairment such as memory loss or disorientation