VITAMIN PP Meaning and
Definition
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Vitamin PP, also known as niacin or nicotinamide, is an essential water-soluble vitamin that belongs to the B-complex group of vitamins. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the overall health and functioning of the body.
Vitamin PP is involved in various physiological processes, including energy metabolism, cellular respiration, and DNA repair. It acts as a precursor for the coenzymes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), which are involved in numerous enzymatic reactions in the body. These coenzymes are essential for the conversion of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy and the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) – the energy currency of cells.
Furthermore, vitamin PP is known for its role in maintaining the health of the skin, digestive system, and nervous system. It helps in the synthesis of various hormones and promotes a healthy nervous system by supporting the production of myelin, a fatty substance that coats nerve cells and enhances their function.
Deficiency of vitamin PP can lead to a condition known as pellagra, characterized by symptoms such as dermatitis (skin inflammation), diarrhea, and dementia. Consuming a balanced diet that includes foods rich in vitamin PP, such as meat, fish, nuts, legumes, and whole grains, can help prevent deficiency and ensure adequate intake of this crucial vitamin. In cases of deficiency, vitamin PP supplements may also be recommended under medical supervision.
Common Misspellings for VITAMIN PP
- citamin pp
- bitamin pp
- gitamin pp
- fitamin pp
- vutamin pp
- vjtamin pp
- vktamin pp
- votamin pp
- v9tamin pp
- v8tamin pp
- viramin pp
- vifamin pp
- vigamin pp
- viyamin pp
- vi6amin pp
- vi5amin pp
- vitzmin pp
- vitsmin pp
- vitwmin pp
- vitqmin pp
Etymology of VITAMIN PP
The term "Vitamin PP" is an obsolete name for a water-soluble compound known as niacin or nicotinamide. The "PP" in the name stands for "pellagra-preventive" since this vitamin was initially linked to the prevention of pellagra, a disease caused by niacin deficiency.
The term "Vitamin PP" was coined in the early 20th century when research was conducted to identify the causes and prevention methods for pellagra. Scientists discovered that a dietary factor present in certain foods could prevent and treat the disease. This factor was later identified as niacin or nicotinamide.
The specific term "Vitamin PP" was introduced by American biochemist Conrad Elvehjem in 1937. Elvehjem found that niacin or nicotinic acid was responsible for preventing pellagra and proposed the term "PP" to highlight its distinct properties.
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