What is the Difference Between Niacin and Nicotinic Acid?

Niacin and nicotinic acid are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to different forms of Vitamin B3. Here are the key differences between niacin and nicotinic acid:

• Niacin: Niacin is the generic term for nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, and related derivatives, such as nicotinamide riboside. It is also known as Vitamin B3 and plays fundamental roles in energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and detoxification reactions for drugs and other substances.
• Nicotinic Acid: Nicotinic acid is the standard acidic form of crystalline niacin. It is one of the forms of Vitamin B3, along with nicotinamide and inositol hexanicotinate. Nicotinic acid is commonly used to treat high cholesterol, while nicotinamide is taken to treat arthritis and pellagra.

The different forms of niacin, including nicotinic acid and nicotinamide, are not interchangeable and have different medical purposes. Nicotinic acid, in particular, has been shown to improve blood lipid profiles when taken in high doses (500 to 3,000 mg per day or more). However, it should be noted that such doses should only be taken with medical approval and supervision due to potential side effects and health risks.

Comparative Table: Niacin vs Nicotinic Acid

Niacin and nicotinic acid are often used interchangeably, as they both refer to the same molecule, which is vitamin B3 or Vitamin PP (Pellagra Preventing). However, there are some differences between the two forms of niacin: nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. Here is a table comparing the two forms:

It is important to note that the body converts dietary vitamin B3 into NAD, and nicotinamide is an amide of nicotinic acid, which is more similar to NAD. Nicotinamide riboside is a synthetic form of nicotinamide with different attributes and limited applications.