Vitamin B3 accounts for 63% of the recommended intake of B-complex vitamins. That’s according to “Know your Vitamin: Vitamin B3,” an article detailing the role of B3 in the body by Sumeet Chandna of Jubilant Life Sciences Limited. Vitamin B3, also known as niacin, plays a crucial role in energy, cognitive function and metabolism. Niacin comes in two forms: niacinamide (nicotinamide), and inositol hexanicotinate.
The body can form niacin from tryptophan, but most sources come from our diet. Niacin is contributed to the diet via poultry, whole grains, enriched grains and vegetables according to the 2015 US Dietary Guidelines. Yeast, milk, eggs, nuts and beans also contribute to our consumption of niacin as a nutrient.
Looking to include Vitamin B3 in your formulation?
Prospector has Vitamin B3 product listings from major suppliers. View data sheets, order samples and more now…
Search Ingredient Data
Recent News Updates on Vitamin B3
With the release of the US Dietary Guidelines in January 2016, many segments of the food industry highlighted how their ingredients and foods help consumers meet the guidelines. Barilla reiterated that pasta helps meet the needs of consuming enough B-vitamins and iron, while the National Pork Board suggested the the addition of lean meats to a diet, including a 3 oz pork tenderloin, can improve consumption of a number of vitamins and minerals, including niacin.
In November 2015, the U.S. FDA released fortification guidelines for the industry, reiterating that fortification is not mandatory in the United States, unless the food is subject to conform to a standard of identity requiring it. Niacin falls into the B-vitamins and iron needed in enriched flour.
In 2015, research showed that consumption of oral nicotinamide reduced the level of new non-melanoma skin cancers by 23% over a year in high risk patients. This led to Australia demonstrating an economic benefit in healthcare costs by prescribing it.
Reading List
- Article: Know Your Vitamin: Vitamin B3
- Food Navigator USA: Not all refined grains are equal says Barilla: Pasta should not be lumped together with pies and cookies as ’empty carbs’
- Health.gov: A Closer Look at Healthy Eating Habits
- National Hog Farmer: Dietary Guidelines Keep Meat on Dinner Tables
- New England Journal of Medicine: A Phase 3 Randomized Trial of Nicotinamide for Skin-Cancer Chemoprevention
- Food Navigator Asia: Nicotinamide could halve Australia’s healthcare costs for skin cancers
The views, opinions and technical analyses presented here are those of the author or advertiser, and are not necessarily those of ULProspector.com or UL Solutions. The appearance of this content in the UL Prospector Knowledge Center does not constitute an endorsement by UL Solutions or its affiliates.
All content is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without prior authorization from UL Solutions or the content author.
The content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. While the editors of this site may verify the accuracy of its content from time to time, we assume no responsibility for errors made by the author, editorial staff or any other contributor.
UL Solutions does not make any representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness or completeness of the content. UL Solutions does not warrant the performance, effectiveness or applicability of sites listed or linked to in any content.
Very informative article about niacin. good info