Niacin plays an essential metabolic role throughout the animal kingdom. It is the precursor of important cellular coenzymes such as NAD e NADP, essential for energetic metabolism of skin cells and skin barrier integrity; it is needed for red blood cell formation, increased transport of oxygen and nutrients, removal of toxins & cellular waste products through skin microcirculation; it reduces triglycerides and cholesterol levels, prevents cardiovascular diseases, helps maintain healthy nervous system functioning and brain activity (its deficiency may cause serious mental illnesses); it plays a key role in synthesis of sex hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, etc.