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From: sdyer@bbncc5.UUCP (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: net.med
Subject: Re: vitamins and nitpicking
Message-ID: <275@bbncc5.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 6-Aug-85 15:59:31 EDT
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Posted: Tue Aug  6 15:59:31 1985
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> 	I hate to nitpick, but where I come from nicotinamide is Vitamin B3,
> and niacin is simply a colloquial name for nicotinic acid.

I think this is getting a little academic.  Both niacin and niacinamide
(or nicotinic acid and its amide, if you must) demonstrate "Vitamin B3
activity" in animals and humans.  That is, if you have a niacin deficiency,
either will do nicely.

In general, a "vitamin" is sort of a Platonic Concept, and various
chemicals have vitamin activity.  For example, phytonadione is commonly
thought to be vitamin K, but menadione, a much simpler chemical, also
demonstrates "vitamin K activity."  Also, see the various cobalamins which
all demonstrate B12 activity.

On the other hand, we're agreed that there isn't anything vitamin-like
about "laetrile."  What's "B-17 activity" other than taking money from
people who don't have any more hope?
-- 
/Steve Dyer
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