The vitamin that fights skin cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s

If you’ve done a lot of sunbathing in your life, you’ll want to pay attention to what I’m about to tell you…

Too much exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can lead to skin cancer, and even if you’re not a sun worshiper, you’ve had plenty of exposure just by walking outside during the spring and summer months. Sunscreen protects you from some UV rays, but not all.

Now, scientists in Australia, one of the sunniest places in the world, have exciting news about how to outsmart skin cancer with a simple vitamin.

Preventing skin cancer

Researchers at the University of Sydney discovered that Vitamin B-3, also known as niacinamide or nicotinamide, helps repair DNA that’s been destroyed by too much ultraviolet light. Specifically, niacinamide replenishes the energy needed to repair DNA damage.

Niacinamide restores the energy supply of epidermal skin cells known as keratinocytes. It also helps suppress the production of inflammatory substances like interleukin-6, which increase cancer risk.

Slowing down cancer growth

Vitamin B-3 can also help if you’ve already developed skin cancer. A 2015 clinical trial indicated that niacinamide could be a safe and potent alternative treatment for the two most common types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

The study involved 386 participants who had already been diagnosed with skin cancers in the past five years. Over a year’s time, they received either a placebo or 500 mg. of niacinamide twice daily.

Those who took niacinamide saw a 20% reduction in basal cell carcinomas and a 30% reduction in squamous cell carcinomas. No adverse side effects were reported.

Outsmarting melanoma

Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels to feed tumor cells. It’s the way cancer cells keep themselves alive.

But very aggressive cancers don’t bother with angiogenesis. They just make their own vessels.

In a process called vascular mimicry, cancer cells form tubular networks that resemble normal veins, and nourish themselves through these vessels.

A 2013 study at Sheba Medical Center in Israel showed that Vitamin B-3 can slow the process of vascular mimicry and inhibit the growth of these alternative vessels, slowing down the growth of aggressive melanomas.

Other ways vitamin B-3 is good for you

Many skin serums and treatments contain niacinamide, and with good reason. It hydrates skin, soothes rosacea and acne, reduces dark spots and boosts the production of skin-firming collagen.

In a 2015 study at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Iran, topical treatment with niacinamide improved wound healing in rats by reducing inflammation, supporting collagen synthesis and helping to develop new capillaries.

Besides its benefits to the skin, Vitamin B-3 has been found to:

• increase levels of HDLs and lower levels of LDLs, reducing stroke risk
• reduce inflammation and the need for painkillers in people with arthritis
• protect against age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease
• lower blood sugar levels in mice with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Precautions

When taking supplements, the following side effects may occur at higher doses:

• allergic reactions
• dizziness and headache
• elevated blood sugar
• low blood pressure
• skin reactions

As with any new health regimen, check with your doctor before beginning a B-3 supplement if you have any pre-existing health conditions.

How to get more B-3

Aside from using a topical serum on the skin or taking supplements, Vitamin B-3 is readily available through your diet. The top foods that are rich in B-3 are:

• Turkey breast
• Chicken breast
• Peanuts
• Mushrooms
• Liver
• Tuna
• Green peas
• Sunflower seeds
• Avocado