Can vitamin B3 reduce the risk of skin cancer?

A lot of evidence points in that direction. Higher doses of nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B, may also prevent the recurrence of common skin cancers. The effect is even greater if vitamin B3 supplementation is started immediately after the diagnosis has been given, according to a large population study published in JAMA Dermatology.

There are several types of skin cancer. Although the common forms (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) are usually not associated with severe symptoms, the disease can recur after ended treatment. Melanoma is a more aggressive form of skin cancer and can be fatal if not detected and treated in time.
The best-known risk factors for developing various types of skin cancer include sunburns (especially in childhood), fair skin, many moles, and exposure to chemical agents. It is well established that excessive exposure to the sun’s UVB radiation bombards the skin with free radicals, which are reactive molecules that, through chain reactions, can cause inflammation and damage to skin cells and their DNA. Over time, these localized DNA injuries can increase the risk of developing different types of skin cancer. Diet and the body’s antioxidant defenses also appear to play an important role in preventing these localized skin damages and skin cancer.
Earlier studies have shown that supplementation with the B3-vitamin form nicotinamide can reduce the risk of developing skin cancer and the risk of recurrence. However, because larger population studies have been lacking, the new study aimed to investigate this more thoroughly.
The research was conducted using electronic health records from the Veterans Affairs Corporate Data Warehouse (CDW). The study included 12,287 patients with an average age of 77 who had been diagnosed with common skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma). Both genders and various ethnicities were represented.
Participants were divided into two comparable groups and received either 500 mg nicotinamide twice daily for more than 30 days or a placebo.
The results showed that supplementation with 500 mg of nicotinamide twice daily reduced the overall risk of skin cancer recurrence by 14 percent. If patients began taking nicotinamide immediately after diagnosis, the risk of recurrence was reduced by as much as 54 percent. The risk was reduced for both types of common skin cancer, especially squamous cell carcinoma.
The researchers therefore concluded that nicotinamide supplementation reduces the risk of common skin cancer, and that the effect is greatest when supplementation begins right after diagnosis.
The new findings are consistent with other studies indicating that vitamin B3 also plays a role in the prevention of different types of skin cancer, including melanoma.

How can vitamin B3 help protect against skin cancer?

In foods and supplements, vitamin B3 (niacin) appears as nicotinic acid or nicotinamide. High doses of nicotinic acid from supplements can cause a harmless, temporary facial flushing (niacin flush), but as noted, the new study used high doses of nicotinamide, which is not associated with this reaction.
Both nicotinic acid and nicotinamide are precursors to the essential coenzyme NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), which is involved in energy metabolism and hundreds of enzymatic processes. The body’s natural synthesis of NAD declines with age, and genetic variations also influence its utilization of the nutrient. The new population study shows that nicotinamide supports skin health by:

• Improving the skin’s energy metabolism
• Increasing the skin’s defense against oxidative stress caused by UV exposure and environmental factors
• Reducing inflammation
• Enhancing the repair of damaged DNA in skin cells
• Preventing precancerous lesions (actinic keratosis)
• Significantly reducing the risk of recurrence of common skin cancers at higher doses

Vitamin B3, food sources, and relevant supplements

Vitamin B3 is primarily found in protein-rich foods such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts, and seeds. It is of course best to obtain sufficient vitamin B3 through a healthy, varied diet with adequate protein.

Tips for preventing skin cancer

• Gradually accustom your skin to the sun starting in spring, so it develops a natural protective tan
• Avoid sunburns
• Use eco-labeled sunscreen, especially if you have sensitive skin
• Regularly check your skin and moles
• Eat a healthy diet and ensure good intake of vitamin B3, vitamin D, and other nutrients

References:

Sarah T. Arron. Nicotinamide for Skin Cancer Chemoprevention. JAMA Dermatology. 2025

Honor Whiteman. Could vitamin B-3 help to prevent melanoma? MedicalNewsToday

European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. Vitamin D deficiency in melanoma patients associated with worse overall survival, new study finds. MedicalExpress 2022