Research Says Vitamin B3 Better than Sunscreen

SYDNEY, Australia—A vitamin found in meats, nuts, grains and cereals might be more effective than sunscreen in preventing skin cancer, new research at the University of Sydney revealed.

Nicotinamide, or vitamin B3, prevents damage from UVA and UVB radiation by protecting the immune system and could be taken in tablet form or added to sunscreen, Associate Professor Diona Damian said.

Sunscreens provide good protection against UVB rays, which cause sunburn and skin cancer, but the products are less effective in protecting against UVA, which also can cause skin cancer.

"Our research found that nicotinamide [vitamin B3] can prevent the immunosuppressive effects of UV by energizing cells so they maintain their immunity," she said.

Tests using the water-soluble vitamin offered equally strong protection against both UVA and UVB in both lotion and tablet form.

"Nicotinamide is well tolerated, so it could also be taken orally as a supplement, particularly by people who have a higher susceptibility to skin cancer," she said, adding that it is relatively inexpensive to produce so it potentially could be incorporated into sunscreen to boost its effectiveness against UVA.

The research also was looking to determine whether the vitamin could be used to treat sunspots, common lesions that sometimes progress to skin cancer.