Niacin, the name for Vitamin B3, is a member of the Vitamin B family. It is essential for over 50 processes in your body. Mostly, though, it is responsible for helping your body turn the food you eat into energy. It does this by making enzymes that are used in your body's cells as it turns carbohydrates into energy. 
It also helps maintain proper glucose levels in your blood stream which can be used as an energy source.
Niacin is a water-soluble vitamin that comes in two forms, nicotinic acid and niacinamide. While the term niacin is used to refer to both forms of the vitamin, niacinamide is what you generally find in vitamin supplements.
Like the other B Vitamins, niacin is a team player. It works closely with pyridoxine and riboflavin to help keep you healthy. The minimum daily requirement of niacin is very small, approximately 14-16 mg per day. Your body gets most if it's niacin from the foods you eat, but it can also convert some proteins into niacin via the amino acid tryptophan. 
Some foods that contain niacin are: beef liver, whole wheat bread, chicken breast, corn kernels, cooked mushrooms, peanut butter, dry roasted peanuts, roasted pork, canned salmon, tomatoes, and turkey breast.
Don't take any niacin supplements if you take medicine for high blood pressure. It could make your blood pressure drop. So if you have liver problems, diabetes, or ulcers it could make them worse.
Finally, large doses of niacin could cause a side effect called the niacin flush which can make your face and neck get all red and hot. Some people experience these effects when they take vitamin supplements. It should go away shortly and you'll eventually build your tolerance to this effect.
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