Vitamin B3, also known as niacin, was discovered in the mid-20th century. In the 1930s, a disease known as pellagra was observed, which was characterized by symptoms such as skin rashes, diarrhea, and dementia.
In the 1940s, American biochemist Dr. Conrad Elvehjem identified a substance in liver, which he named “factor PP,” that prevented pellagra. This factor was later identified as niacin and was recognized as an essential nutrient for human health.
Today, niacin is well understood for its role in energy metabolism and as a precursor for the biosynthesis of important cellular compounds such as NAD and NADP. It is widely used in the prevention and treatment of pellagra and other niacin deficiency-related diseases and is considered an important component of a balanced diet.