Vitamin B3 (Niacin / Nicotinic Acid & Nicotinamide) vs. Vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone)
Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 10 key differences identified.
Vitamin B3 comprises nicotinic acid and nicotinamide, precursors to NAD+ and NADP+ coenzymes central to over 400 enzymatic cellular reactions and DNA repair by PARP enzymes. Adult RDA is 16 mg NE (men) / 14 mg NE (women), with a Tolerable Upper Limit of 35 mg/day.
Vitamin K1 is a fat-soluble naphthoquinone synthesized by photosynthetic plants. Adequate Intake (AI) is 120µg (men) / 90µg (women), acting as an essential cofactor for gamma-glutamyl carboxylase in blood clotting and osteocalcin bone mineralization.
Specification Comparison Table
10 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Nutrient Type
|
Water-Soluble Pyridine Vitamin | Fat-Soluble Naphthoquinone Vitamin |
|
Tolerable Upper Limit (UL)
|
35 mg / day (Supplemental nicotinic acid; prevents prostaglandin flushing) | None Established (No adverse effects reported) |
|
Chemical Forms
|
Nicotinamide (Niacinamide), Nicotinic Acid, Nicotinamide Riboside (NR), Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) | Phylloquinone (K1 - Green Plants), Menaquinones (K2: MK-4, MK-7 - Ferments/Animal) |
|
Primary Biological Function
|
NAD+/NADH redox electron carrier in glycolysis/TCA cycle, NADP+/NADPH reductive biosynthesis, PARP-1 DNA repair, Sirtuin activation | Gamma-glutamyl carboxylase cofactor (Factors II, VII, IX, X), Osteocalcin carboxylation, Matrix Gla Protein (MGP) vascular calcification inhibitor |
|
Deficiency Condition
|
Pellagra ('The 4 Ds': Diarrhea, Dermatitis on sun-exposed skin, Dementia, Death) | Coagulopathy, Hemorrhage, Impaired bone density |
|
Top Whole Food Sources
|
Chicken Breast, Canned Tuna, Salmon, Beef, Turkey, Peanuts, Brown Rice, Shiitake Mushrooms | Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Natto (K2 MK-7), Parsley |
|
Adult RDA / RDI
|
16 mg NE / day (Men) / 14 mg NE / day (Women) (NE = Niacin Equivalents) | — |
|
Tryptophan Biosynthesis Pathway
|
60 mg of dietary amino acid L-tryptophan converts endogenously into 1 mg of niacin (1 NE) | — |
|
Adult Adequate Intake (AI)
|
— | 120 µg / day (Men) / 90 µg / day (Women) |
|
Warfarin / Anticoagulant Interaction
|
— | Direct competitive antagonist to Coumadin/Warfarin (requires consistent daily intake) |