sdyer@bbncc5.UUCP (Steve Dyer) (08/06/85)
> 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 {decvax,linus,ima,ihnp4}!bbncca!sdyer sdyer@bbnccv.ARPA