SUPPLEMENT SPOTLIGHT
Vitamins are often thought of as single substances, when in fact, vitamins are “families” that can include multiple forms of the same vitamin – known as vitamers or derivatives. Vitamers have slightly different chemical structures and properties from one another. Some vitamers are more stable, some are more active, and some require conversion to a different derivative before the body can use them in metabolic processes.
What is vitamin B3?
Vitamin B3 is one of the essential B vitamins our bodies needs to function at their best. Vitamin B3 is water-soluble, meaning your body doesn't store it, so you need to get it regularly through your diet or via supplementation.
Are niacin and vitamin B3 the same?
The vitamin B3 family contains nicotinic acid and its derivatives. The terms “nicotinic acid,” “niacin,” and “vitamin B3” can be used interchangeably. The derivatives of nicotinic acid include niacinamide (also called nicotinamide), nicotinamide riboside (NR), and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). Each B3 vitamer is a precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a substance necessary for cellular energy production. NAD+ is also sold as a dietary supplement.
What does vitamin B3 do?
Vitamin B3 has many functions in the body. It plays a key role in cellular energy production and, when taken in the diet or as a nutritional supplement, can benefit skin and joint health, support brain function, and even promote restful sleep.* Dietary sources of vitamin B3 include nutritional yeast, poultry, red meats, tuna, salmon, fortified cereals, legumes, and seeds.
What are the benefits of vitamin B3?
While all forms of vitamin B3 can be converted to NAD+ for cellular energy production, different vitamers benefit the body in various ways. Niacin – typically found in supplements as nicotinic acid – is often used to support cardiometabolic health. Niacinamide, a non-flushing form of vitamin B3, supports restful sleep and healthy joints and skin. NR is a form of vitamin B3 that more efficiently supports cellular energy production. It also benefits healthy cellular repair and metabolism, athletic performance, lean body composition, and healthy aging.*
What is NR and what is NMN?
You might have heard of NR or NMN on social media or in the news. In the last few years both have received buzz in the conversation around healthy aging. Other forms of vitamin B3, such as nicotinic acid or nicotinamide, must be converted to NR or NMN before being converted to NAD+, which is then used by the mitochondria of the cells to produce cellular energy. As we age, our natural production of NAD+ declines. Lack of sleep, being over-stressed, over-exposure to the sun, and an unbalanced diet all contribute to depletion of NAD+.
Are niacin and vitamin B3 the same?
While niacin is a derivative of vitamin B3, not all forms of vitamin B3 are niacin. The niacin form, particularly in higher doses, can cause a temporary redness or tingling of the skin, called a niacin flush, while other forms such as niacinamide, NR, and NMN do not. The different forms of vitamin B3 also have slightly different uses and benefits. So, while niacin is one type of vitamin B3, it’s just one piece of the broader B3 family.
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