Slide Vitamin B3 protecting skin…
Vitamin B3 protecting skin....
Vitamin B3 protecting skin…
Basal cell cancer is a common skin cancer, a type of epithelioma seen frequently in the Caucasian American population, with life time risks as high as 30%. Over 2-3 million cases are treated yearly. 40% of those with an initial diagnosis are likely to have a recurrence in 5 years. Sun and UV light exposure are largely responsible for these non melanoma type skin cancers.
Vitamin B3 (niacin or nicotinic acid) is part of the vitamin B complex that is available in a healthy diet. Found in chicken, fish, beef, broccoli, carrots, asparagus, sweet potatoes and various grains, it is likely to be deficient in nutritionally poor individuals, those with chronic malnutrition, alcoholics, etc. Vitamin B3 is low in corn or maize, and populations on a staple diet of maize/corn were earlier afflicted with Pellagra, a disease, now rare, characterized by diarrhea, dementia and scaly thick skin, due to the resulting niacin deficiency. However milder deficiencies can go undiagnosed manifesting with common non specific symptoms including tiredness, headaches, nausea, anemia and skin or oral lesions.
Vitamin B3, in the form of Niacin (Nicotinic acid) is already known to be protective for heart attacks, helping lower cholesterol levels. Other forsm have other attractive benefits, including antioxidant, anti aging, whitening, and anti wrinkling skin properties making it a key ingredient in many skin cosmetics.
A recent trial The ONTRAC study or Australian Oral Nicotinamide to Reduce Actinic Cancer Study demonstrated protection against recurrence of nonmelanoma skin cancers in those on Nicotinamide 500mg orally twice a day for 12 months, with a 23% lower risk of basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers vs those individuals on placebo. 386 patients with prior non melanoma skin cancers were followed in this study. It is important to understand that Nicotinamide, a specific form of Vitamin B3, different from Niacin or nicotinic acid, is much better tolerated, and quite inexpensive.
Other forms of Vitamin B3 in higher doses > 1500mg a day (daily requirements around 10-20mg) can lead to deleterious side effects including liver toxicity, exacerbation of gout, vision changes due to reversible maculopathy, itching, dryness, flushing, and eczema.
Discuss Vit B3 forms and levels, and dosing with your primary physician or a dermatologist….