Human requirement
Early studies indicated that niacin equivalents per kcal per day were adequate to prevent pellagra in adult men. To provide a margin of safety, both the Food and Nutrition Board and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee have established the recommended dietary allowance for niacin at per 1000 kcal for all age groups. Depending on calorie intake, the 1980 NRC-RDA for adult men is from 16 mg to 19 mg niacin equivalent (NE) daily and for adult women 13 mg to 14 mg NE daily. An increase of 2 mg and 5 mg, respectively, above the allowance for the nonpregnant women is recommended during pregnancy and lactation by the Food and Nutrition Board. Infants and children follow the same recommendations as adults.
NE is equal to 1 mg of niacin or 60 mg of dietary tryptophan
