Vitamin B3 comes in two main forms: niacin (also known as nicotinic acid) and niacinamide. Both are essential for human health and play a key role in cellular metabolism, helping convert the food you eat into energy.
While niacin and niacinamide are chemically related, they differ in important ways. Niacinamide does not cause the flushing side effect often associated with niacin and offers some unique benefits.
According to the book Niacin: The Real Story by Abram Hoffer, Andrew W. Saul, and Harold D. Foster, high doses of niacin or niacinamide may improve or even resolve a wide range of health conditions. These include cancer, high cholesterol, anxiety, fatigue, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, skin conditions, cardiovascular disease, mental illness, behavioral disorders, long COVID, aging-related issues, and arthritis. Vitamin B3’s involvement in more than 500 biochemical reactions in the body explains its broad importance for overall health.
Benefits of Niacinamide
Niacinamide can help manage cholesterol levels naturally. It supports balanced energy, promotes healthy blood flow, and protects against oxidative stress. With anti-inflammatory properties, it also aids skin hydration, strengthens the skin barrier, improves central nervous system function, enhances muscle strength, and reduces fatigue. Many people report sharper cognition and greater mental clarity with vitamin B3 supplementation.
Niacinamide is a precursor to NAD+, a vital molecule that helps convert nutrients into cellular energy. NAD+ levels naturally decline with age, making supplementation especially relevant as we grow older.
Niacinamide for Arthritis
In Chapter 8 of Niacin: The Real Story, Dr. William Kaufman describes how large doses of niacinamide healed arthritis in his patients. He typically used 2000mg per day, divided into four or more doses (avoiding a single large dose at once). The more severe the stiffness, the more frequent the dosing he recommended. This approach applied to both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Kaufman advised allowing at least three months of consistent niacinamide therapy to assess improvement. If no healing occurs after this period, he noted, the joints may be too damaged for niacinamide to help.
Choosing and Using Vitamin B3
Vitamin B3 is available in capsules and tablets in various potencies. If you opt for niacin, be aware of the potential flush (a temporary warming or reddening of the skin that may last up to 20 minutes). While the flush can be annoying, it is harmless. For a no-flush alternative, consider inositol hexaniacinate (sometimes called “no-flush niacin”).
Niacinamide is available in our Natural Living department in both tablet and capsule form. Popular options include:
- Source Naturals: 100mg (100 tablets)
- Kal: 250mg (100 tablets)
- Solaray: 500mg (100 capsules)
Always take vitamin B3 with food. Start with a lower dose, divided throughout the day. If using niacin, begin with 50-100mg to test for flushing; many people tolerate higher amounts, and with regular use, the flush often diminishes or disappears entirely.
Natural food sources of vitamin B3 include grass-fed beef, mushrooms, and avocados.
Consult a Natural Living staff member for assistance and further information. Please send your questions/comments to rick@georgetownmarket.com
(DISCLAIMER: The information provided has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease. It is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner.)