Niacin is a vitamin that wards against pellagra, a disease characterized by a vitamin B3 deficiency. Niacin is made from pyridine and is often called vitamin B3 or nicotinamide, because they all three have similar formulas. Niacin and nicotinamide are comparable in make up, but only niacin works to lower cholesterol levels. The restoration of DNA is also known to be a positive side effect of taking niacin. A fairly large number of individuals, particularly those in third world countries or those suffering from alcoholism, have been shown to be lacking in niacin. Niacin is often taken as a supplement by those with high cholesterol levels, as it has been proven to lower “bad” cholesterol and raise “good” cholesterol.