Nicotinamide (Niacinamide) Can Lower Risk for Skin Cancer

A 2015 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that taking 500mg of nicotinamide (niacinamide; a form of vitamin B3) twice daily resulted in 23% fewer nonmelanoma skin cancers (basal and squamous cell cancers) after 1 year compared to placebo. Nicotinamide also reduced precancers (actinic keratoses) by 13% at 1 year compared to placebo. At high doses (3,000mg per day or more), nicotinamide can cause stomach discomfort, diarrhea, nausea and possibly liver damage.

Chen AC, Martin AJ, Choy B, Fernández-Peñas P, Dalziell RA, McKenzie CA, Scolyer RA, Dhillon HM, Vardy JL, Kricker A, St George G, Chinniah N, Halliday GM, Damian DL. A Phase 3 Randomized Trial of Nicotinamide for Skin-Cancer Chemoprevention. N Engl J Med. 2015 Oct 22;373(17):1618-26. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1506197. PMID: 26488693.

Institute of Medicine. Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes: Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1998.