Why is High Dosing Used for Niacin Supplements?
Vitamin
What is niacin?
Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is a water-soluble B vitamin naturally present in many foods, added to some food products, and available as a dietary supplement. Cited on the National Institutes of Health (NIH), niacin is the generic name for nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, and related derivatives. Research has shown that niacin plays an important role in cell metabolism and communication, among other functions.
What are the benefits of taking a B-complex vitamin?
Taking 500mg of Niacin can lead to an imbalance in other B-vitamin levels, so it is best to take a B-complex vitamin that contains all of the B vitamins instead. This was reported by LIVESTRONG.COM in 2019. Studies have shown that taking an excess of one B-vitamin can cause deficiencies in the other B-vitamins.
What are the benefits of taking niacin?
Niacin is an effective drug used to lower cholesterol levels and has various side effects, dosage, uses, and more. From Healthline (Oct 14, 2017), niacin is mainly used to reduce cholesterol levels and can also be used for other health conditions. Studies have shown that niacin can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with high cholesterol.
Health
What are the health risks of taking high doses of niacin?
High doses of niacin can cause serious health issues, such as diarrhea, easy bruising, nausea, vomiting, and liver damage. From the National Institutes of Health, the daily upper limits for niacin from dietary supplements are 500 mg/day or less. It is important to note that even higher doses of 3,000 mg/day or more can be dangerous.
What are the benefits of taking niacin?
Niacin (Vitamin B3) has several beneficial effects, including reducing right ventricular systolic pressure, as demonstrated in a high quality study by Healthline in 2021. Niacin can help improve cholesterol levels, act as an anti-inflammatory, and support the body's metabolism.
Can niacin supplements be beneficial?
Niacin supplements can be beneficial, but high doses can cause serious side effects such as flushing, headache, dizziness, and low blood pressure. An info from Verywell Health, it is important to start with a smaller dose and try a different formula if any side effects are experienced. Real data suggests that niacin can help lower cholesterol levels.
Metabolism
What foods contain niacin?
Niacin is a B vitamin which helps maintain a healthy nervous system, digestive system and skin, and can be obtained from a daily multivitamin or from certain foods such as yeast, milk, meat, tortillas and cereal grains. As stated by Mayo Clinic, niacin is made and used by the body to turn food into energy (2020). It is also known to help lower cholesterol levels in the body.
What is niacin?
Niacin, or Vitamin B3, is an essential water-soluble B vitamin found naturally in some foods, added to foods, and also sold as a supplement. Mentioned in Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the two most common forms of niacin in food and supplements are nicotinic acid and nicotinamide, with the body being able to convert tryptophanan amino acidto nicotinamide. Niacin is essential for the body's metabolism, energy production, and healthy skin and nerves.
What are the potential benefits of niacin?
Niacin has many benefits for treatment and prevention of certain conditions, as stated in the NCBI Bookshelf article by StatPearls in 2021. It is still being studied to understand the full potential of its uses. Niacin has been found to be effective in improving cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Energy
What is niacin?
Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is an important water-soluble B vitamin found naturally in many foods and added to some food products. As reported by the National Institutes of Health, niacin is composed of nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, and related derivatives. Niacin helps to maintain healthy cholesterol levels and supports energy production in the body.
What are the potential side effects of taking niacin?
Niacin, when taken in doses of 500 mg/day or more, may have adverse side-effects such as diarrhea, easy bruising and increased bleeding from wounds. Sourced from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the daily upper limit for niacin from dietary supplements is 3,000 mg/day or less to prevent nausea, vomiting and liver damage. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider before taking any niacin supplement.
What form does niacin come in?
Niacin, or vitamin B3, is an important water-soluble B vitamin found in some foods and sold as a supplement. An info from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health's Nutrition Source website, niacin is found in two forms: nicotinic acid and nicotinamide, as well as being able to be converted from tryptophan (an amino acid). It plays an important role in energy metabolism and healthy skin, nerves and digestive system.
Cholesterol
How does niacin lower cholesterol?
Niacin has been proven to lower cholesterol and other fats in the blood, raising HDL (good) cholesterol and lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides. According to MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, niacin works by blocking the liver's production of cholesterol. Niacin is a B-vitamin that can be taken in larger doses as a prescription.
How does niacin increase HDL levels?
Niacin increases HDL-cholesterol levels by decreasing the degradation of ApoA-I-containing lipoproteins and increasing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ?, as suggested by StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (Mar 28, 2022). Oral extended niacin has also been found to be effective in raising HDL levels.
What benefits can niacin provide?
Niacin can be beneficial in controlling cholesterol when taken at prescription-level doses, according to the Cleveland Clinic in 2020. This B vitamin is sold as a supplement and has been shown to improve good HDL cholesterol levels. It should be taken under the supervision of a physician.
Cardiovascular
Can niacin supplements be used to treat dyslipidemias?
Niacin supplements are effective treatments for dyslipidemias, and they are available in the form of inositol hexanicotinate, which are labeled as being "flush free" because they do not cause flushing. Mentioned in the National Institutes of Health, very high doses of nicotinic acid taken for months or years can be effective treatments for dyslipidemias. Niacin has also been found to have a positive effect on cardiovascular health.
Can niacin help reduce cholesterol?
Niacin is an effective way to raise levels of HDL cholesterol and reduce triglycerides, as shown in a study by the Mayo Clinic in 2022. It is known to help remove low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is the "bad" cholesterol, from the body. Research has shown that niacin supplementation can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
What side effects can niacin cause?
Niacin is an effective drug to lower cholesterol levels and has been known to cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach discomfort. According to Healthline (2017), niacin is available in forms of tablets and is usually taken one to four times a day. Niacin can interact with other medications and supplements, so it is advisable to consult a doctor before using this drug.
Blood Vessels
What is vitamin B3?
Niacin, or vitamin B3, is a water-soluble B vitamin found naturally in many foods, as well as added to some food products and available as a dietary supplement. Mentioned in the National Institutes of Health, it can come in the form of nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, and related derivatives. Research has found that niacin can play a role in various bodily functions, such as energy production and DNA repair.
What is the recommended daily intake of Niacin?
Niacin, or Vitamin B3, is an essential nutrient for adults of all ages, with the recommended daily intake being 35 milligrams for most people. As mentioned in WebMD (2022), women who are breastfeeding should have 17 milligrams daily. Most people can get the amount of niacin they need by eating a healthy diet. Niacin has been found to reduce cholesterol levels, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation.
Can niacin use pose a risk to unborn fetuses?
Niacin is available in extended-release tablets of varying strengths, ranging from 250 mg to 3000 mg. An info from StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf), high doses of niacin may pose a risk to unborn fetuses when used to treat conditions such as dyslipidemia. It is important to consult a healthcare professional before taking niacin.
Metabolism
What are the risks of taking too much niacin?
Niacin toxicity is something to be aware of, as it can occur when taking large amounts of supplements. An info from StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf, niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is required in regular amounts and usually acquired through diet. It is important to not exceed the recommended daily allowance of niacin to avoid potential adverse effects.
What are the potential benefits of niacin?
Niacin has a wide range of benefits, both for treatment and prevention, according to StatPearls, a publication of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), in 2021. It is believed that its uses are yet to be fully discovered and realized. Studies have shown that niacin can help reduce the risk of heart disease.
What is the maximum reduction in cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides that can be achieved with Vitamin B3?
Therapeutic doses of Vitamin B3 (niacin) can effectively reduce total cholesterol levels by up to 25%, LDL levels by up to 15%, and triglycerides by up to 50%, according to StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (Jun 11, 2022). This is the highest efficacy of any known method for raising high-density cholesterol.
Anti-inflammatory
What are the risks of taking too much niacin?
Niacin toxicity is something to be aware of, as many people take large amounts of supplements containing this vitamin. Attributed to StatPearls, an NCBI Bookshelf publication, niacin, also referred to as vitamin B3, should be taken in regular amounts and usually acquired through dietary sources. Niacin has many benefits, but due to its potential toxicity, should not be taken in high doses.
Vitamin B3, also known as niacin, is an effective treatment for lowering cholesterol, but should be taken with caution as extended-release niacin can increase the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality when taken with simvastatin. Via Medscape, niacin should be taken with an NSAID to decrease flushing, and liver function tests should be monitored regularly.
Niacin supplements can have side effects such as flushing, headache, dizziness, and low blood pressure, according to Verywell Health in Nov 2022. It is important to start with a smaller dose and not take high doses of niacin to avoid serious side effects. If side effects occur, a different formula may be beneficial to try.
Digestive System
What is niacin?
Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is a water-soluble B vitamin naturally present in many foods, added to some food products, and available as a dietary supplement. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), niacin is the generic name for nicotinic acid (pyridine-3-carboxylic acid), nicotinamide (niacinamide or pyridine-3-carboxamide), and related derivatives. It is important to note that taking niacin in large doses can cause serious side effects such as liver damage.
What are the risks of taking niacin?
Niacin, or Vitamin B3, can be beneficial to the body in doses that are fairly high, however, it can also pose risks such as liver damage, gastrointestinal problems, and glucose intolerance. From WebMD (2022), niacin is effective as a cholesterol treatment when taken at high doses. Niacin is found in a variety of foods such as red meat, poultry, fish, nuts, and fortified cereals.
Niacin is an effective drug used to lower cholesterol levels, with potential side effects including flushing, nausea, and itching. As reported by Healthline, niacin is an oral drug mainly used for this purpose, with other information about dosage, uses, and more. Studies have found that niacin can help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with high cholesterol.
Source:
- Nih : Niacin - Health Professional Fact Sheet, National Institutes, Health.
- Nih : Niacin - Consumer, National Institutes, Health.
- Mayoclinic : Niacin - Mayo Clinic.
- Harvard : Niacin, Vitamin B3, The Nutrition Source, Harvard T.H. Chan.
- Medlineplus : Niacin, cholesterol, MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.
