Vitamin B3
Vitamin B3 is an essential water-soluble nutrient found in meat, fish, legumes, and fortified grains. It exists in several supplemental forms—nicotinic acid (niacin), nicotinamide (niacinamide), and nicotinamide riboside—each with distinct physiological effects. It is best known for its central role in producing NAD+, a coenzyme critical to energy metabolism, DNA repair, and cellular signaling.
Expert Evidence
2 references from 1 expert
“Nicotinamide or vitamin B3 helps to improve the skin barrier function by decreasing water loss through the outer layer of the skin. It also improves complexion by improving pigmentation, blotchiness, and redness of aging skin.”
How To Treat Skin Aging
0:592 references in 2 episodes from 2023
Brad Stanfield highlights vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) for two specific benefits: improving skin barrier function, reducing water loss, and enhancing complexion (pigmentation, blotchiness, redness), as well as aiding COVID recovery (3 days faster) and mitochondrial repair including improved muscle strength. No personal use is mentioned, no dosing guidance is provided, and no cautions or risks are discussed.
Side Effects
- Skin flushing and warmth (nicotinic acid)
- Nausea or stomach upset at high doses
- Potential liver stress with sustained-release niacin
- Headache