NIACIN

Niacin was first discovered in the early-20th century, by the ‘father of vitamin therapy’ Casimir Funk, while he was trying to find a cure for another disease caused by a deficiency of thiamine. Niacin is a water-soluble B vitamin found naturally in some foods, added to foods, and sold as a supplement. The two most common forms of niacin in food and supplements are nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. Niacin must be obtained in the diet, as the body cannot synthesize it in sufficient quantities. 

In addition to preventing disease caused by vitamin deficiency, niacin has been used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. As a cholesterol treatment, studies show that niacin can boost levels of good HDL cholesterol and lower triglycerides. Niacin also lowers bad LDL cholesterol. It's sometimes prescribed in combination with statins for cholesterol control. Niacin supplementation during gestation prevents congenital malformations caused by NAD+ deficiency, and niacin assists several enzymes in converting food into ATP, a form of energy.