If you’re overexposed to sunshine too often, skin cancer is certainly a threat. But did you know that one of the B vitamins may help keep cancer away?
In Australia, researchers looked at people who have had recurrent skin cancer (two or more cancerous growths in the past five years). And one type of vitamin B3 called nicotinamide shrinks the likelihood of having non-melanoma cancers return by 23 percent.
The researchers also discovered that nicotinamide can fight cancer if you rub it on your skin or take it as a supplement. This vitamin may also help reduce or eliminate pre-cancerous lesions and lower the risk of melanoma (though the melanoma part of the research has not been completed).
The study demonstrates that the vitamin helps with skin cancers that are linked to both of the main types of ultraviolet light – UVA and UVB.
Researcher Diona Damian told Oncology Times: “We were looking for something to counter both of these UV pathways to skin cancer, and we have shown over the past 10 years that nicotinamide — vitamin B3 — provides skin cells with an energy boost, resulting in enhanced DNA repair and restoring skin immunity.”
She also points out that nicotinamide is one of the cheapest, easiest ways for people with skin cancer problems to fight back: “It’s almost obscenely inexpensive, and it’s already widely commercially available, so this one’s ready to go straight into the clinic.”
If you decide to take this vitamin, remember that it is not the same as the other form of vitamin B3 known as niacin. Niacin was not used in the study and it has strong side effects like hot flashes, low blood pressure, headaches and potential liver complications.
Damian believes that nicotinamide should be used only by people at high risk of skin cancer. If you have diabetes or are pre-diabetic, you should consult a knowledgeable healthcare practitioner before taking nicontinamide. Some researchers believe it can complicate blood sugar issues in people who are diabetic.
Plus, you should always stay smart about your sun exposure. A limited amount is necessary for your skin to make vitamin D and do other good things for your health. But cover-up at the slightest sign that your skin might be turning red. Sunburns cause serious skin damage.
The good news is, nicotinamide (an amide of vitamin B3, or niacin) only costs a few cents a pill, and doesn’t have the flushing and other effects that niacin can have on some people … but you still get all the benefits.
