[Reference values of niacin for the Venezuelan population]

Niacin is a water soluble vitamin, also known as nicotinic acid or Vitamin B3. Nicotinamide is a derivative of niacin (amide of nicotinic acid), and is used by the body to produce the coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), In preparing this review about the niacin requirements for Venezuela, it was found that there is not enough national data to establish recommendations, therefore, as in the 2000 review of the Venezuelan Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs), the actual recommendations for intake of niacin, are based on those reported for the United States population. The RDAs for Venezuela are: 2-4 mg/day for infants less than 1 year old, 6-8 mg/day for children between 1 and 8 years, 12 mg/day for children between 9 and 13 years, 14 mg/day for adolescents and female adults, 16 mg/day for adolescents and adult males, 18 mg/day during pregnancy and 17 mg/day during lactation. The estimated average requirement (EAR) is: 6-9 mg/day for children, 11 mg/ day for adolescents and female adults and 12 mg/day for adolescents and adult males, increasing to 14 mg/day during pregnancy and to 13 mg/day during lactation. The niacin Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL) are: 10 mg/day for children between 1 and 3 years, 15 mg/day for children between 4 and 8 years, 20 mg/day for children between 9 and 13 years, 30 mg/day for adolescents and 35 mg/day for adults. It is necessary to perform studies where the nutritional status of this vitamin is evaluated for different population groups, including not only the estimation of consumption, but the use of biochemical indicators, such as measuring the levels of the coenzymes NAD and NADP in erythrocytes or whole blood and determination of the major urinary metabolites of the vitamin.