niacin

[ nahy-uh-sin ]
/ ˈnaɪ ə sɪn /

noun Biochemistry.

nicotinic acid.

Origin of niacin

First recorded in 1935–40; ni(cotinic) ac(id) + -in2

Words nearby niacin

nhl, nhs, nhtsa, ni, nia, niacin, niacinamide, niagara, niagara falls, niagara green, niagara-on-the-lake

British Dictionary definitions for niacin

niacin
/ (ˈnaɪəsɪn) /

noun

another name for nicotinic acid

Word Origin for niacin

C20: from ni ( cotinic) ac ( id) + -in

Medical definitions for niacin

niacin
[ nī′ə-sĭn ]

n.

A crystalline acid that is a component of the vitamin B complex and is used to treat and prevent pellagra. nicotinic acid

Scientific definitions for niacin

niacin
[ nī′ə-sĭn ]

A water-soluble organic acid belonging to the vitamin B complex that is important in carbohydrate metabolism. It is a pyridine derivative and is a precursor of the coenzyme NAD. Niacin is found in liver, fish, and whole-grain foods. Deficiency of niacin in the diet causes pellagra. Also called nicotinic acid. Chemical formula: C6H5NO2.