If, by some chance, you’ve already stumbled across the word ‘niacin’ and know what it means, hats off to you! But if not, don’t worry. We recognise that it’s hardly going to come up in everyday conversation. But with that being said, it is, in fact, a rather important vitamin that comes from a lot of the foods we eat, and it plays a critical role in helping the body to function properly.

So, let’s go into more detail and find out precisely what it is and why it’s essential for your child’s health.

What is niacin?

Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is a vitamin that's used by the body to turn food into energy. It also helps support the nervous and digestive systems and keeps the skin healthy. While some people might take niacin as part of a daily multivitamin, most get enough niacin from the food they eat. Foods that are rich in niacin include milk, yeast, meat, nuts, legumes, and cereal grains, amongst other foods.

Niacin can also be taken to treat high cholesterol and niacin deficiency.

So, what happens if my child isn’t getting enough niacin?

Symptoms of niacin deficiency include:

Lack of energy

Indigestion

Cracked and scaly skin

Mouth ulcers

Red or purplish tongue (known as magenta tongue)

Memory loss

Disorientation

While the symptoms may sound a little frightening, most children will get all of the niacin they need from food, so you don’t need to worry.

But exactly how much niacin does my child need?

Rarely will a child, especially one in a developed country, develop a niacin deficiency, but if you’re looking for exact dietary needs, look no further. The minimum daily requirement of niacin for children is as follows:

2 mg for babies under the age of 6 months
4 mg for infants upwards of 7 months
6 mg for children aged 1 to 3
8 mg for children aged 4 to 8
12 mg for children aged 9 to 13
14 mg for girls aged 14 to 18
16 mg for boys aged 14 to 18

Again, most children will get all of the niacin they need from foods, but if you’re feeling a little unsure or suspect that your child is niacin deficient, don’t hesitate to speak to your doctor. A medical professional can then prescribe the necessary dosage of niacin supplements.

What is niacin and how much does my child need?

Unii explains how niacin, or Vitamin B3, is so important to helping your baby convert food into energy.