What is the Difference between Niacin and Niacinamide?

You may have heard about niacin and niacinamide, but what exactly are these vitamins and what are their roles in your health? For starters they are both versions of vitamin B3, but they are not the same thing and their uses are also different. For those who are looking to get the most support from niacin or niacinamide, it is important to know the difference. Let’s take a look at their structural differences, how the body uses each one, a few key differences between niacin and niacinamide, their health support functions and how to decide which one you need.

Niacin vs. Niacinamide

These two forms of B3 are actually interchangeable when the daily dose is less than 100 mg. But with higher doses their health support applications become more specific.

Niacin: The Original Form

At a chemical level niacin (specifically nicotinic acid) consists of six carbon (C) atoms, five hydrogen (H) atoms, one nitrogen (N) atom and two oxygen (O) atoms (C₆H₅NO₂).¹ Niacin is water-soluble and when in its pure form appears as a white crystalline powder with no smell.

The human body processes niacin first by absorption mainly via the small intestine. Next it is converted into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) so it can be used as a coenzyme.² Any niacin that isn’t needed by the body is simply passed out of the body via the urinary tract.

There are a vast number of foods (plant- and animal-based) that contain niacin. Here are just a few natural sources of niacin:

• Beef
• Beef liver
• Chicken
• Turkey
• Salmon
• Tuna
• Brown rice
• Peanuts
• Potato
• Banana
• Sunflower seeds
• Whole wheat bread

These are just a few niacin sources you likely encounter on a daily basis. So how much niacin do you need per day? In general an adult male needs 16 mg per day and an adult female needs 14 mg per day. There are additional guidelines for children and pregnant/breastfeeding available from the National Institutes of Health.³

Niacinamide: The Alternative Form

At a chemical level niacinamide consists of six carbon (C) atoms, six hydrogen (H) atoms, two nitrogen (N) atoms and one oxygen (O) atom (C₆H₆N₂O).⁴ Niacinamide is highly water-soluble and in its pure form also appears as a white crystalline powder with no smell.

 The human body also processes niacinamide via absorption through the small intestine. Next it is converted to NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) so it can be used by the body.

 Niacinamide is found in many foods such as meat, fish, eggs, cereal grains and vegetables, but only in trace amounts. Due to being a form of B3 the daily dosage follows the same recommendations as niacin. In general an adult male needs 16 mg per day and an adult female needs 14 mg per day. There are additional guidelines for children and pregnant/breastfeeding individuals available from the National Institutes of Health.³

Key Differences Between Niacin and Niacinamide

Both niacin and niacinamide are absorbed in the small intestine, but are done so in different ways. Niacin uses sodium-dependent diffusion (low amounts) or passive diffusion (high amounts) for absorption. Niacinamide is not sodium dependent, so it is absorbed through passive diffusion.

 When taken in large doses niacin may cause a “flush effect” of the skin. Skin may appear red, warm or even itchy due to increased blood flow near the skin surface. Effects are temporary and go away on their own usually within 1 to 2 hours. Niacinamide behaves differently and does not trigger the GPR109A receptors found on Langerhans cells that cause the skin flushing effect.

 Both niacin and niacinamide help support healthy body functions. Niacin supports healthy cholesterol levels, skin health and neurological function. Niacinamide supports skin health and maintaining joint health. The main side effect for taking niacin is skin flushing, which does not occur with niacinamide. Niacinamide is also well tolerated by the body.

Health Benefits

Here are the most recognized health benefits of niacin and niacinamide.

Niacin

Niacin is commonly used to maintain cholesterol levels (LDL and HDL) that are already within a healthy range. As an essential part of cellular energy production niacin is an important part of coenzyme functions. Niacin helps support healthy skin and the repair of cellular damage. Researchers are also looking into how niacin can help support healthy blood pressure already within a normal range.⁵

Niacinamide

Due to the different makeup of niacinamide, it has slightly different supportive roles in the body. Most uses involve skin care and skin health such as improving aging skin appearance.⁶ When used topically niacinamide can help improve skin elasticity and wrinkles. Niacinamide may also support joint comfort. It is also used to encourage blood sugar balance and to support brain function.⁷

Potential Side Effects and Precautions

The most common side effects associated with niacin supplements are:

• Skin flushing
• Itching
• Upset stomach
• Bloating
• Dizziness
• Headache

The most common side effects associated with niacinamide supplements are:

• Upset stomach
• Bloating
• Dizziness
• Headache

Noted possible niacin drug interactions to be aware of include rosuvastatin (Crestor) and atorvastatin (Lipitor).** Niacinamide may interfere with certain drugs such as blood thinners.** Consult with your doctor for any specific precautions for specific medications you may be taking, especially when taking niacin or niacinamide in high doses.**

Choosing the Right Form for Your Needs

The most common niacin and niacinamide supplements come in pill/tablet form, but some are integrated into topical creams. They may also be found in multivitamin products. It is important to note another vitamin B3 variant (inositol hexaniacinate) is also called “flush-free niacin” due to its ability to avoid causing unpleasant skin flushing.

 If you are considering taking niacin or niacinamide it is best to consult with your doctor first. Everyone’s body is different and your doctor will be able to help you navigate choosing an appropriate supplement that best matches your needs. Both niacin and niacinamide are available in different potency amounts, typically ranging from 50 mg to 500 mg to allow for customizing for your individual needs.

 Here are a few things to look for in choosing a quality supplement:

• Good manufacturing seals
• Transparency in labeling
• Quality of ingredients and sourcing
• Price and satisfaction guarantees
• Reputation and recommendations

Conclusion

We know that was a lot to take in, so here’s a quick recap of the key differences between niacin and niacinamide. Niacin helps support cholesterol levels (LDL and HDL) that are already within a healthy range. Niacinamide helps support proper blood sugar balance, skin health, brain function and joint comfort.

 If you are looking to add a vitamin supplement like niacin or niacinamide to your daily regimen, make sure to look at the big picture. Consider your food intake and what nutrients may be missing. Talk to your doctor about any medical conditions that may benefit from specific supplements.** Your body changes as you get older, so also ask your doctor about ways to help support healthy aging. Don’t forget that your lifestyle makes a difference in your vitamin needs, so take things like exercise, sleep habits and stress levels into consideration for your health discussion.

You are your greatest personal health advocate. Everyone is different, so take time to learn about yourself and what your body needs. There is no “one size fits all” solution for your optimum health, so don’t be afraid to seek out trusted experts like your doctor. The better informed you are about your health, the better you are positioned to make the most of it!

You be well, now.

Swanson

 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

**Contact your healthcare professional for advice if you take any other medications.

Sources

1. Niacin. NIST Chemistry WebBook, SRD 69. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Read source.
2. Romani M, Hofer DC, Katsyuba E, Auwerx J. J Lipid Res. 2019 Feb 19;60(4):741–746. doi: 10.1194/jlr.S092007. Read source.
3. Niacin: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. National Institutes of Health. Read source.
4. Niacinamide. NIST Chemistry WebBook, SRD 69. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Read source.
5. Bays HE, Rader DJ. Int J Clin Pract. 2009 Jan;63(1):151–159. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2008.01934.x. Read source.
6. Bissett, Donald L. PhD; Oblong, John E. PhD, Berge, Cynthia A. BS. Dermatologic Surgery 31(s1):p 860-866, July 2005. | DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2005.31732. Read source.
7. Rindone JP, Achacoso S. Am J Ther. 1996 Sep;3(9):637-639. doi: 10.1097/00045391-199609000-00006. PMID: 11862304. Read source.