Nicotinamide, also known as niacinamide, is a water-soluble form of vitamin B3 found naturally in many plant and animal foods, including meat, fish, grains, and legumes. It is an essential nutrient that helps maintain normal cellular function and supports the body's ability to convert food into energy.
Nicotinamide is a precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), coenzymes involved in cellular energy metabolism, DNA repair, and other important biological processes. Unlike nicotinic acid (niacin), another form of vitamin B3, nicotinamide generally does not cause skin flushing.
People use nicotinamide supplements to prevent or correct vitamin B3 deficiency and support skin health. It has also been studied for its potential to help protect against certain types of skin cancer and support healthy skin aging.