Many B vitamins are used in the body individually or in combination with enzymes to help release energy from
carbohydrates, fat, and protein. Vitamin B coenzymes are crucial to the metabolic pathways that generate
the energy needed by every cell in the body. Because they are codependent in their metabolic activities,
a deficiency of one B vitamin can affect optimal functioning of organ systems throughout the body. Niacin
is the only B vitamin that can be synthesized in the liver from the amino acid tryptophan — on average,
1 mg of niacin can be synthesized from the ingestion of 60 mg of tryptophan. In its coenzyme forms,
niacin is crucial to energy transfer reactions, particularly the metabolism of glucose,
fat, and alcohol. Niacin’s beneficial effects on blood lipids is well-documented.
