Supplements containing vitamin B3 may help protect against skin cancer, say researchers

02 Nov 2020 --- Research presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) shows vitamin B3 consumption could help protect skin cells from the effects of ultraviolet (UV) exposure, potentially defending against skin cancer.

The analysis draws its conclusions from a study of extracted human skin cells from non-melanoma skin cancer patients. 

The researchers treated the cells with three different concentrations of nicotinamide (NAM), a type of vitamin B3, for three different periods of time. They then exposed the cells to UV light to test their effects. 

“Our study showed that NAM is able to protect skin cells, in particular keratinocytes (cells on the outer layer of skin that are vulnerable to cancer), from the oxidative stress damages induced by UV radiation exposure,” Lara Camillo, a researcher at the Dermatological Unit of AOU Maggiore della Carità, Italy, explains to NutritionInsight. 

NAM was found to help prevent DNA damage, activation of local inflammation and activation of oxidative stress mechanisms. 

Implications for diet and nutrition
The results have implications for dietary nutrition and the role of supplements, Camillo continues. “The intake of NAM in our food, as well as other nutrients with antioxidant and photoprotective action, is certainly useful.”

This could have wide-ranging implications for supplements, including those not directly providing consumers with NAM. “Even if the intake through supplements allows us to just obtain a greater plasma load, there will be a greater probability of diffusion in the tissue.” 

While the results appear exciting, it is important not to misinterpret the results, Camillo continues. 

“The indication is that consumption of vitamin B3, which is readily available in the daily diet, will protect the skin from some of the effects of UV exposure, potentially reducing the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers,” she explains. 

“However, the protective effect of vitamin B3 is short-acting, so it should be consumed no later than 24 to 48 hours before sun exposure.”

Consuming vitamin B3 shortly before sun exposure could potentially reduce skin cancer risks.Defense against non-melanoma cancers
Camillo explains that the findings are only relevant to non-melanoma skin cancer, the more prevalent type of cancer that occurs in the upper layers of human skin. 

“On the basis of our research and previously published scientific literature, the photoprotective role of NAM seems to be especially useful against chronic UV exposure,” she details.

“This is the main risk factor for non-melanoma skin cancer, while for melanoma, the risk is mainly linked to acute sunburns.”

The study needs to be furthered, she asserts. “After our findings that vitamin B3 is also a photo protector against oxidative stress, we need to clarify how it exerts these effects and the molecular pathway involved.”

The study also lacks any control group testing for the difference of effects on healthy skin. 

“The main limitation of our study is the absence of normal keratinocytes as control cells. This is due to the difficulties of finding healthy skin from non-chronically photo-exposed patients. Of course, in the next few months, we will implement the missing data,” Camillo highlights.

Nutrition, supplements and cancer
The study joins growing attention to the role of nutrition in human cancer. A study last year found that vitamin D can slow the spread of skin cancer. 

On World Cancer Day this year, NutritionInsight highlighted the growing concern over links between cancer rates, dietary habits and nutrition. 

The World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRF) claims that around 40 percent of cancers each year could be prevented by improving lifestyle choices. 

By Louis Gore-Langton