Vitamin B3

Vitamin B3 is also known as niacin (or, more rarely, nicotinic acid). Taken orally, niacin helps to reduce tiredness and fatigue by improving cell energy production, as well as being used to treat high cholesterol and blood pressure. Niacin is an important cofactor used by enzymes to help repair DNA by UV radiation and cellular stress. This ability to repair DNA damage means niacinamide has a potent ability to treat hyperpigmentary disorders (such as age spots).

The key role of niacin in the body is to synthesise the coenzymes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), which are involved in over 400 biochemical reactions in your body - mainly related to obtaining energy from food.

Niacin is found in a variety of foods, including meat, poultry, fish, nuts and legumes.

100 grams of cooked chicken contains 10 mg niacin.

The daily recommended intake is 14 mg for women and 16 mg for men.

Benefits:

1. Helps in treatment of tiredness and fatigue
2. Improves circulation by lowering cholesterol and triglycerides
3. Is used to reduce ageing and acne problems
4. Is a potent treatment for hyperpigmentation

Did you know…

Niacin used to be called nicotinic acid, but healthcare professionals were concerned it would be confused with nicotine in cigarettes and so changed the name.

EFSA claims

1. Niacin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.
2. Niacin contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
3. Niacin contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
4. Niacin contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes.
5. Niacin contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
6. Niacin contributes to normal psychological function.