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Merchient’s ingredient library

What can you say about niacin (vitamin B3) in your ads and on your site?

The library supports 5 wordings for niacin (vitamin B3); the strongest is “Supports normal energy-yielding metabolism” (strong, 2.4-500 mg a day). Avoid wording that names or implies a disease, a drug or a treatment, such as “Lowers cholesterol or triglycerides”.

Also called: Vitamin B3, Vitamin B-3, Nicotinic acid, Niacinamide

Reviewed

Not legal advice. This guide shows the wording that published evidence supports at a daily dose, from the sources linked below; it is not a ruling on any claim. Your own product, its form and dose, and your own evidence still need to match the wording you use.

Supported wordings

What you can say.

Strong evidenceWording 1

Claims Facts

“Supports normal energy-yielding metabolism.”

Daily dose2.4-500 mg a day
SupportListed by Health Canada and authorized in the EU after EFSA review.
Dose detailsAdults 19 and older. Health Canada: 1.0-500 mg of niacin or niacinamide a day. EU: at least 2.4 mg, 15% of the 16 mg EU reference value (Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex XIII). ODS upper limit: 35 mg.
Dose warningAbove 35 mg a day of niacin from supplements is over the ODS upper limit for adults. Health Canada’s range runs to 500 mg; the claim’s support stands.
FormNiacin (nicotinic acid) or niacinamide, counted as niacin
SourcesHealth Canada monograph: Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements
Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, list of permitted health claims

Moderate evidenceWording 2

Claims Facts

“Supports normal function of the nervous system.”

Daily doseat least 2.4 mg a day
SupportAuthorized in the EU after EFSA review; Health Canada does not list it.
Dose detailsEU: at least 2.4 mg, 15% of the 16 mg EU reference value (Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex XIII). Health Canada does not list this use; its monograph gives 1.0-500 mg of niacin or niacinamide a day for adults. ODS upper limit: 35 mg.
FormNiacin (nicotinic acid) or niacinamide, counted as niacin
SourceCommission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, list of permitted health claims

Moderate evidenceWording 3

Claims Facts

“Supports normal psychological function.”

Daily doseat least 2.4 mg a day
SupportAuthorized in the EU after EFSA review; Health Canada does not list it.
Dose detailsEU: at least 2.4 mg, 15% of the 16 mg EU reference value (Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex XIII). Health Canada does not list this use; its monograph gives 1.0-500 mg of niacin or niacinamide a day for adults. ODS upper limit: 35 mg.
FormNiacin (nicotinic acid) or niacinamide, counted as niacin
SourceCommission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, list of permitted health claims

Moderate evidenceWording 4

Claims Facts

“Helps maintain normal skin and mucous membranes.”

Daily doseat least 2.4 mg a day
SupportAuthorized in the EU after EFSA review; Health Canada does not list it. The EU lists skin and mucous membranes as two claims.
Dose detailsEU: at least 2.4 mg, 15% of the 16 mg EU reference value (Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex XIII). Health Canada does not list this use; its monograph gives 1.0-500 mg of niacin or niacinamide a day for adults. ODS upper limit: 35 mg.
FormNiacin (nicotinic acid) or niacinamide, counted as niacin
SourceCommission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, list of permitted health claims

Moderate evidenceWording 5

Claims Facts

“Helps reduce tiredness and fatigue.”

Daily doseat least 2.4 mg a day
SupportAuthorized in the EU after EFSA review; Health Canada does not list it.
Dose detailsEU: at least 2.4 mg, 15% of the 16 mg EU reference value (Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex XIII). Health Canada does not list this use; its monograph gives 1.0-500 mg of niacin or niacinamide a day for adults. ODS upper limit: 35 mg.
FormNiacin (nicotinic acid) or niacinamide, counted as niacin
SourceCommission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, list of permitted health claims

How strong the evidence is

Strong evidence
At least two listed sources support it independently at a comparable dose and form, and none disagrees.
Moderate evidence
One listed source supports it as an evidence-based use at that dose, and no listed source disagrees.
Limited evidence
The only support is traditional use, the sources disagree, or the source itself calls the evidence weak.

Wordings to avoid

What to leave out.

Claims Facts

Ingredient: Niacin (vitamin B3)

Wording to avoidReason
“Lowers cholesterol or triglycerides”Names medical conditions.Disease
“Works like a prescription cholesterol drug”Presents the product as a drug.Drug

Disease: names or implies a disease. Drug: names a drug or presents the product as one. Treatment: promises to treat, cure or prevent a condition.

Sources

Where this comes from.

All ingredient guides

Check the claims on your own site. Free.

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