Evidence supporting the use of: Niacin (vitamin B3)
For the body system: Mucus Membranes

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Niacin (vitamin B3) has scientific validation for its role in supporting the health of mucus membranes. Niacin is an essential water-soluble vitamin that is fundamental to cellular metabolism and the maintenance of epithelial tissues, which include the mucus membranes lining the digestive tract, respiratory system, and other parts of the body. The most direct evidence comes from the consequences of niacin deficiency: pellagra. Pellagra is characterized by the "three Ds"—dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia—with the dermatitis and diarrhea components closely linked to damage and inflammation of epithelial and mucosal tissues. Specifically, pellagra can cause glossitis (inflammation of the tongue), stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth), and gastrointestinal tract inflammation, all of which are associated with mucus membranes. When niacin levels are restored, these symptoms typically resolve, demonstrating the vitamin’s importance in maintaining mucosal integrity.

However, while severe deficiency is clearly harmful to mucus membranes, there is limited evidence that niacin supplementation above recommended dietary intakes provides additional benefit to mucus membrane health in otherwise healthy individuals. Most scientific literature supports niacin's essentiality for baseline maintenance rather than enhanced support or therapeutic use for mucus membranes. Thus, the evidence supports a moderate score of 3: it is essential and deficiency causes clear mucus membrane pathology, but there is not strong evidence for benefit beyond deficiency prevention.

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