What Is Nicotinic Acid (Vitamin B3) and How Does It Benefit Your Health?

Dec 26, 2025 Leave a message

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Many buyers and health-conscious individuals struggle to understand the differences between various forms of Vitamin B3, their specific applications, and how to select high-quality nicotinic acid for their nutritional, pharmaceutical, or industrial needs.

 

Nicotinic acid, also known as niacin or Vitamin B3 (CAS 59-67-6), is an essential water-soluble vitamin compound with the molecular formula C₆H₅NO₂. This white crystalline powder plays a crucial role in energy metabolism, cholesterol management, and cellular function. With applications spanning from nutritional supplements to pharmaceutical intermediates, nicotinic acid is widely used in food fortification, animal feed enhancement, and therapeutic treatments for cardiovascular health support.

 

With over 15 years of experience in vitamin compound manufacturing and supply, MOSINTER has established itself as a trusted partner for businesses worldwide. In this comprehensive guide, I'll share everything you need to know about nicotinic acid-from its health benefits and food sources to industrial applications and purchasing considerations.

 

Table of Contents

What Is Nicotinic Acid? Understanding Vitamin B3

Health Benefits of Nicotinic Acid

Nicotinic Acid vs Niacinamide: What's the Difference?

Foods High in Nicotinic Acid

Industrial Applications of Nicotinic Acid

How to Choose Quality Nicotinic Acid Suppliers

Frequently Asked Questions

 

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1. What Is Nicotinic Acid? Understanding Vitamin B3

Many people ask: "What is nicotinic acid and why is it important?" This fundamental question often arises when exploring vitamin supplements or researching nutritional compounds.

 

Nicotinic acid is one of the two primary forms of Vitamin B3, alongside niacinamide (nicotinamide). As an essential nutrient, it cannot be synthesized by the human body in sufficient quantities and must be obtained through diet or supplementation. The compound features a pyridine ring with a carboxylic acid group, giving it unique properties that support numerous biological functions.

 

Technical Specifications

Property

Specification

CAS Number

59-67-6

EINECS Number

200-441-0

Molecular Formula

C₆H₅NO₂

Molecular Weight

123.11 g/mol

Melting Point

236-239°C

Boiling Point

260°C

Density

1.473 g/cm³

Appearance

White to off-white crystalline powder

Purity

≥99.5%

Synonyms

Niacin, Vitamin B3, 3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid

 

2. Health Benefits of Nicotinic Acid

Understanding the benefits of nicotinic acid helps explain why this vitamin compound remains essential in healthcare and nutrition industries worldwide.

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Nicotinic acid offers multiple health benefits including cholesterol management, cardiovascular support, energy metabolism enhancement, and skin health improvement. Clinical studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in lowering LDL cholesterol while raising HDL cholesterol levels, making it valuable for heart health maintenance.

Key Health Benefits

Cholesterol Management: Helps lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing HDL cholesterol

Cardiovascular Support: Promotes healthy blood circulation and heart function

Energy Metabolism: Essential for converting food into cellular energy (ATP)

Skin Health: Supports healthy skin appearance and cellular repair

Nervous System Function: Supports cognitive function and nerve health

 

3. Nicotinic Acid vs Niacinamide: What's the Difference?

One of the most common questions is: "Is niacin and nicotinic acid the same?" Understanding the distinctions between these Vitamin B3 forms is crucial for proper application selection.

While both nicotinic acid and niacinamide are forms of Vitamin B3, they have different properties and applications. Nicotinic acid causes vasodilation (flushing effect) and is preferred for cholesterol management, while niacinamide does not cause flushing and is commonly used in skincare products. The choice between them depends on the specific therapeutic or industrial application.

 

Property

Nicotinic Acid

Niacinamide

Chemical Name

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid

3-Pyridinecarboxamide

Flushing Effect

Yes

No

Cholesterol Effect

Strong (lowers LDL, raises HDL)

Minimal

Skincare Use

Limited

Common (anti-aging, pores)

Primary Use

Cardiovascular health

Skin health, general nutrition

Vasodilation

Yes

No

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4. Foods High in Nicotinic Acid

Many health-conscious individuals want to know: "What foods contain nicotinic acid?" Understanding natural sources helps maintain adequate vitamin B3 intake.

Nicotinic acid is naturally present in various foods including meat, fish, poultry, nuts, legumes, and fortified grains. Liver, chicken breast, tuna, and peanuts are among the richest sources, providing significant amounts per serving. For industrial food fortification, synthetic nicotinic acid powder is commonly added to flour, cereals, and nutritional products.

Food Source

Niacin Content

% Daily Value

Beef Liver (85g)

14.9 mg

93%

Chicken Breast (85g)

10.3 mg

64%

Tuna (85g)

8.6 mg

54%

Turkey (85g)

10.0 mg

63%

Salmon (85g)

8.6 mg

54%

Peanuts (28g)

4.2 mg

26%

Mushrooms (1 cup)

3.5 mg

22%

Fortified Cereals

20-27 mg

125-169%

 

5. Industrial Applications of Nicotinic Acid

Beyond nutritional supplementation, nicotinic acid serves numerous industrial purposes across pharmaceutical, food processing, and agricultural sectors.

As a versatile vitamin compound, nicotinic acid CAS 59-67-6 is widely applied as a nutritional supplement in food and beverage formulations, a feed additive in animal nutrition and livestock applications, a pharmaceutical intermediate in drug manufacturing processes, and a biochemical reagent in laboratory research applications.

Major Application Areas

Industry

Applications

Food & Beverage

Nutritional supplements, flour fortification, cereal enrichment, energy drinks

Pharmaceutical

Cholesterol medications, vitamin formulations, drug intermediates

Animal Nutrition

Feed additives, livestock health supplements, poultry nutrition

Cosmetics

Skin brightening products, anti-aging formulations (limited use)

Laboratory

Biochemical reagents, research applications, analytical standards

 

6. How to Choose Quality Nicotinic Acid Suppliers

Procurement professionals often ask: "Where to buy nicotinic acid with reliable quality?" Selecting the right supplier ensures product consistency and regulatory compliance.

When sourcing nicotinic acid powder, consider suppliers with proven manufacturing capabilities, quality certifications (ISO, GMP, HACCP), consistent product specifications (purity ≥99.5%), flexible minimum order quantities, and reliable delivery timelines. MOSINTER offers high-quality Nicotinic Acid CAS 59-67-6 with production capacity of 500T/year, minimum orders from 1 gram, and delivery within 7 days.

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Key Selection Criteria

Quality Certifications: Look for ISO 9001, GMP, HACCP, and Kosher/Halal certifications

Product Specifications: Verify purity levels, melting point (236-239°C), and molecular formula compliance

Production Capacity: Ensure supplier can meet your volume requirements consistently

Customization Options: Flexibility in packaging and specifications according to customer requirements

Technical Support: Access to product documentation, COA, and application guidance

7. Frequently Asked Questions

Is nicotinic acid the same as niacin?

Yes, nicotinic acid is one of the two forms of niacin (Vitamin B3). The term "niacin" is often used interchangeably with nicotinic acid, though niacin can also refer to niacinamide in some contexts.

Does nicotinic acid cause flushing?

Yes, nicotinic acid can cause a temporary flushing effect characterized by warmth, redness, and tingling in the skin. This is a harmless vasodilation response that typically subsides with continued use. Extended-release formulations and taking the supplement with food can help minimize this effect.

Is nicotinic acid the same as nicotine?

No, nicotinic acid and nicotine are completely different compounds despite similar names. Nicotinic acid is an essential vitamin (B3) vital for health, while nicotine is an addictive alkaloid found in tobacco. Nicotinic acid does not contain nicotine and is not addictive.

What is the recommended nicotinic acid dose for cholesterol?

Therapeutic doses for cholesterol management typically range from 1,000-3,000mg daily under medical supervision. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any supplementation regimen, as individual needs vary based on health conditions and other medications.

Is nicotinic acid safe?

Nicotinic acid is generally safe when consumed at recommended levels. The tolerable upper intake level for adults is 35mg/day from supplements. Higher therapeutic doses should only be taken under medical supervision. Common side effects include flushing, which is harmless and typically temporary.

Conclusion

Nicotinic acid (Vitamin B3, CAS 59-67-6) is a versatile and essential compound with applications spanning from nutritional supplementation to pharmaceutical manufacturing and food fortification. Understanding its properties, benefits, and proper sourcing criteria enables informed decisions for both personal health and industrial procurement. MOSINTER remains committed to supplying high-quality nicotinic acid with competitive pricing, flexible order quantities, and reliable global delivery.

About MOSINTER

MOSINTER is a trusted China-based manufacturer and supplier of high-quality vitamin compounds including Nicotinic Acid CAS 59-67-6. With an annual production capacity of 500T and minimum orders starting from just 1 gram, we serve customers worldwide across pharmaceutical, food processing, and animal nutrition industries. Our commitment to quality, competitive pricing, and customized packaging solutions makes us the preferred partner for your nicotinic acid needs. Contact us today for quotations and technical support.

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