What Happens If You Have B3 Deficiency?

By Shubhi Kumar
12 Jun 2025, 20:00 IST

Vitamin B3, or niacin, is essential for energy, digestion, and nerve health. A deficiency can lead to serious physical and mental symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored. Tap to read!

Dermatitis

Due to the lack of a healthy skin cell regenerative process consequent upon B3 deficiency, the skin tends to be dry, scaly, and cracked, more so in sun-exposed areas.

Gastrointestinal Disturbances

Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea may occur due to niacin deficiency. It leads to disturbance in digestive enzymes and causes inflammation.

Neurological Disorders

The brain's functioning is affected by low levels of B3, causing headaches and dizziness and moving on to gradual nerve damage if not treated.

Neuropsychiatric Changes

Depression, irritability, anxiety, and hallucinations may result from B3 deficiency as it interferes with the synthesis of serotonin and the balance of brain chemicals.

Mouth Sores

Painful swelling and erythema, and ulcerations of the mouth and tongue may be due to the impairment of tissue healing and inflammation.

Information credits

This information is sourced from WebMD. Always consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis, supplementation, or treatment.