Niacin Guide

Niacin, or vitamin B3, is an essential nutrient that helps your body use carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Learn what it does, where it comes from, and what to consider when choosing a supplement.¹

✅ Reviewed by Jamieson's Science Team

Quick Answers

What does niacin do?

Niacin helps the body metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins and supports normal growth and development.¹

Is niacin vitamin B3?

Yes. Niacin is vitamin B3 and can appear in supplements in forms such as nicotinic acid and niacinamide.¹,²

What foods contain niacin?

Niacin is found naturally in foods such as meat, fish, poultry, nuts, legumes, and enriched grain products.

Can niacin cause flushing?

Yes. Nicotinic acid can cause temporary warmth, redness, or flushing, particularly at higher supplemental amounts.²

What is niacin?

Niacin, also called vitamin B3, is one of the B vitamins your body needs to stay healthy. It helps your body use the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in food.¹ 

Supplements can contain different forms of vitamin B3, including nicotinic acid and niacinamide. They’re both forms of niacin, but they can affect the body differently.² 

How does niacin support the body?

Niacin helps your body turn the food you eat into energy by helping process carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.¹ 

It also supports normal growth and development and is an essential nutrient for maintaining overall health.¹ 

Which health goals can niacin support?

Energy Support

Niacin helps the body metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins for energy.¹

Everyday Wellness

Vitamin B3 is an essential nutrient and a factor in the maintenance of good health.¹

Nutrient Metabolism

Niacin supports the processes the body uses to break down and use nutrients from food.¹

How can niacin fit into your routine?

Most people get niacin through food, with supplements providing another option when additional intake is needed. 

  • Eat a varied diet: Meat, fish, poultry, legumes, nuts, and enriched grains can provide niacin. 
  • For everyday energy: Niacin helps your body use the nutrients in food.¹ 
  • Consider your other supplements: Multivitamins and B-complex formulas may already contain vitamin B3. 
  • Know about flushing: Higher amounts of nicotinic acid may cause temporary skin flushing.² 

*It is important to consult your trusted healthcare practitioner before adding any new natural health supplement to your routine. 

What should you look for in a niacin supplement?

Start with the amount and form of vitamin B3 that fits your needs.

  • Check the form: Look for nicotinic acid, niacinamide, or another approved source.² 
  • Compare the amount: Niacin amounts can vary substantially between standalone and combination products. 
  • Consider flushing: Nicotinic acid is more likely to cause temporary flushing. 
  • Check for overlap: B-complex formulas and multivitamins may already provide niacin. 
  • Follow the label: Don’t exceed the recommended amount unless advised by a healthcare practitioner. 
  • Look for an NPN: Choose a licensed natural health product with an eight-digit NPN. 
  • Look for quality: Jamieson products are backed by the Jamieson 360 Quality Promise. 

For more than 100 years, Jamieson has combined scientific expertise with rigorous quality testing. Every product is backed by the Jamieson 360 Quality Promise. 

*It is important to consult your trusted healthcare practitioner before adding any new natural health supplement to your routine.  

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FAQs
What’s the difference between niacin and niacinamide?

Both are forms of vitamin B3. Jamieson Niacin provides nicotinic acid, while some B-complex formulas provide niacinamide.

How much niacin do adults need each day?

Health Canada’s dietary reference values are 16 mg niacin equivalents per day for adult men and 14 mg for adult women. Needs change during pregnancy and breastfeeding.³

Can niacin cause flushing?

Yes. Some people are sensitive to nicotinic acid and may experience temporary warmth, redness, or flushing of the skin. Jamieson notes this can occur with its 500 mg nicotinic acid formula.

Sources

1. Health Canada. Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements Monograph. Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate. https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/atReq?atid=multi_vitmin_suppl 

2. Health Canada. Natural Health Products Ingredients Database — Niacin.[Text Wrapping Break]https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/ingredReq?id=11306 

3. Health Canada. Dietary Reference Intakes Tables: Reference Values for Vitamins. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/healthy-eating/dietary-reference-intakes/tables/reference-values-vitamins.html