What is the Difference Between Niacin and Nicotinamide?

Niacin and nicotinamide are both forms of vitamin B3, but they have different molecular structures and medical purposes. Here are the main differences between the two:

1. Medical Purposes: Niacin (nicotinic acid) is commonly used to treat high cholesterol, while nicotinamide is taken to treat arthritis and pellagra. Both niacin and nicotinamide are used as vitamin supplements.
2. Molecular Structure: Nicotinamide (sometimes known as niacinamide) has a slightly different molecular structure compared to niacin, which allows it to bypass the step that causes niacin's unpleasant flushing side effect.
3. Flushing: Nicotinamide does not cause the skin flushing that is commonly associated with niacin. This is because nicotinamide does not bind to the receptors that mediate nicotinic acid's effects on lipid profiles.
4. NAD+ Levels: Nicotinamide is more similar to NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) than niacin, which may explain why it has fewer side effects. NAD+ levels can be depleted by various factors such as sleep deprivation, a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and alcohol consumption.

In summary, niacin and nicotinamide are both forms of vitamin B3, but they have different medical purposes, molecular structures, and side effect profiles. Niacin is commonly used to treat high cholesterol and cause skin flushing, while nicotinamide is used to treat arthritis and pellagra without causing flushing.

Comparative Table: Niacin vs Nicotinamide

Niacin and nicotinamide are both forms of vitamin B3, but they have some differences in their molecular structure and effects on the body. Here is a table comparing the two:

In summary, niacin and nicotinamide are both forms of vitamin B3, but they have different molecular structures and effects on the body. Niacin is mainly used to treat high cholesterol and pellagra, while nicotinamide is used as a treatment for niacin deficiency without causing flushing.