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Vitamin

Vitamin B3

Vitamin B3, or niacin, is an essential water-soluble vitamin that includes nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. The body can also make it from tryptophan.

Also listed as Niacin, B3

Essential HealthCardiovascularLongevityHair & SkinStress & Mood

What it is studied for

The strongest rated effects first. Bars show the size of the effect, the letter grades the evidence, and each rating lists the studies behind it.

Essential HealthStrongA3 studies
Cholesterol balanceCardiovascularStrongA3 studies
Cellular health & agingLongevityModerateBNo linked study
Skin textureHair & SkinSmallBNo linked study
Blood pressureCardiovascularSmallBNo linked study
Mood SupportStress & MoodSmallCNo linked study
All 8 rated effectsGrouped by health goal, with the publications behind each rating

What does vitamin B3 do?

Niacin is the name for vitamin B3, including nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. The body can also make it from the amino acid tryptophan. 1

Why does niacin appear in energy research?

Niacin-derived molecules NAD and NADP help cells release energy and support DNA repair and cell signaling. These established biochemical roles explain the research interest; they do not by themselves demonstrate that a supplement improves energy or slows aging. 2

Key studies

The most recent publications linked to Vitamin B3's ratings.

B Vitamins and Their Role in Immune Regulation and Cancer2020A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of B Vitamin Supplementation on Depressive Symptoms, Anxiety, and Stress: Effects on Healthy and ‘At-Risk’ Individuals2019B Vitamins and the Brain: Mechanisms, Dose and Efficacy—A Review2016Effect of Niacin Therapy on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease2010Dietary niacin intake and risk of dyslipidemia: A pooled analysis of three prospective cohort studies
All 6 studiesEvery publication linked to Vitamin B3

Why people take it

Essential Health20.3%
Energy19.7%
Immune Support15.2%
Cognition9.5%
Bone & Joint7.6%
Fitness5.6%

SuppCo community snapshot, 2026-09-28. Reasons for use are not evidence that it works.

Questions people ask

Is niacin the same as vitamin B3?

Yes. Nicotinic acid and nicotinamide are forms of niacin. 1

Can niacin prevent heart attacks?

The large trial review found no cardiovascular-event benefit despite favorable changes in blood lipids. 3

Does nicotinamide prevent skin cancer?

One trial found fewer new nonmelanoma cancers in people with repeated previous cancers during treatment; it did not establish prevention for the general population. 4

Does NAD biology prove an anti-aging effect?

No. A role in cellular energy and DNA repair provides a mechanism to study, not proof of longer or healthier life from supplementation. 2

Sources