E52: Niacin deficiency [pellagra]

You have been found to have a vitamin B3 deficiency.

Vitamins are substances the body needs for many tasks. The body is unable produce most vitamins by itself. These vitamins must be taken in through food. There are various subtypes of vitamin B. These are distinguished with successive numbers.

In the body, certain proteins ensure that processes run better or more quickly. These proteins are also known as enzymes. Vitamin B3 is a component of many enzymes and thus important for many processes in the body. Among other things, vitamin B3 helps build up and break down nutrients. Vitamin B3 is also important for signal routing in cells and for cell division. Vitamin B3 is most notably contained in meat, fish, nuts and mushrooms.

A vitamin B3 deficiency occurs most notably in regions where people eat an unbalanced diet of mostly corn and millet. A vitamin B3 deficiency is also encouraged for instance if you regularly drink too much alcohol.

If you have insufficient vitamin B3 in your body, you may feel weak and have digestive problems. Your skin may also look darker than normal and be scaly. Your mental faculties such as memory and concentration may also decline.