Our Products with Niacin vitamin B3 in them. 

This information is from Webmd.com

NIACIN AND NIACINAMIDE (VITAMIN B3)

Overview Information

Niacin is a form of vitamin B3. It is found in foods such as yeast, meat, fish, milk, eggs, green vegetables, and cereal grains. Niacin is also produced in the body from tryptophan, which is found in protein-containing food. When taken as a supplement, niacin is often found in combination with other B vitamins.

Do not confuse niacin with NADH, niacinamide, inositol nicotinate, IP-6, or tryptophan. See the separate listings for these topics.

Prescription forms of niacin are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for high cholesterol and to increase levels of a specific type of good cholesterol, known as HDL. Niacin supplements and prescription products are also taken by mouth for preventing vitamin B3 deficiency and related conditions such as pellagra.

How does it work?

Niacin is absorbed by the body when dissolved in water and taken by mouth. It is converted to niacinamide if taken in amounts greater than what is needed by the body.

Niacin is required for the proper function of fats and sugars in the body and to maintain healthy cells. At high doses, niacin might help people with heart disease because of its beneficial effects on clotting. It may also improve levels of a certain type of fat called triglycerides in the blood.

Niacin deficiency can cause a condition called pellagra, which causes skin irritation, diarrhea, and dementia. Pellagra was common in the early twentieth century, but is less common now, since some foods containing flour are now fortified with niacin. Pellagra has been virtually eliminated in western culture.

People with poor diet, alcoholism, and some types of slow-growing tumors called carcinoid tumors might be at risk for niacin deficiency.

Uses & Effectiveness?

Likely Effective for

• Abnormal levels of cholesterol or blood fats (dyslipidemia). Some niacin products are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as prescription products for treating abnormal levels of blood fats. These prescription niacin products typically come in high strengths of 500 mg or higher. Dietary supplement forms of niacin usually come in strengths of 250 mg or less. Since very high doses of niacin are required for improving cholesterol levels, dietary supplement niacin usually isn’t appropriate. Niacin may be combined with other cholesterol-lowering drugs when diet and single-drug therapy is not enough. Niacin improves cholesterol levels, but does not improve cardiovascular outcomes such as heart attacks and strokes.
• A disease caused by niacin deficiency (pellagra). Niacin is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this use. However, niacin can cause “flushing” (redness, itching, and tingling). So another product, called niacinamide, is sometimes preferred because it doesn’t cause this side effect.

Possibly Effective for

• Abnormal levels of blood fats in people with HIV/AIDS. Taking niacin seems to improve levels of cholesterol and blood fats called triglycerides in patients with this condition.
• A grouping of symptoms that increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke (metabolic syndrome). Taking niacin seems to increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL or “good”) cholesterol and reduce levels of blood fats called triglycerides in people with metabolic syndrome. Taking the niacin along with a prescription omega-3 fatty acid seems to work even better.

Ineffective for

• Heart disease. High quality research shows that niacin does not prevent heart attack or stroke in people who take niacin to prevent or treat heart disease. Niacin has also not been shown to reduce the risk of death. Niacin should not be taken to treat or prevent heart disease.

Insufficient Evidence for

• Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Taking niacin by mouth along with medicines called bile acid sequestrants might reduce hardening of the arteries in men with this condition. It seems to work best in men with high levels of blood fats called triglycerides. But taking niacin does not seem to reduce hardening of the arteries in patients with a condition called peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Also, niacin does not prevent cardiovascular events such as a heart attack or stroke.
• Alzheimer disease. People who consume higher amounts of niacin from food and multivitamins seem to have a lower risk of getting Alzheimer disease than people who consume less niacin. But there is no evidence that taking a niacin supplement helps to prevent Alzheimer disease.
• Cataracts. People who eat a diet high in niacin might have a reduced chance of developing nuclear cataracts. Nuclear cataract is the most common type of cataract. The effect of taking niacin supplementation is unknown.
• An infection of the intestines that causes diarrhea (cholera). Taking niacin by mouth seems to reduce diarrhea in people with cholera.
• Erectile dysfunction (ED). Taking extended-release niacin at bedtime for 12 weeks seems to help men who have ED and high lipid levels maintain an erection during sexual intercourse.
• High levels of phosphate in the blood (hyperphosphatemia). People with kidney failure might have high blood levels of phosphate. Some early research shows that taking niacin can reduce blood levels of phosphate in people with end-stage kidney disease and high levels of blood phosphate. But other research shows that taking niacin does not lower blood phosphate levels in people who are also taking medications used to lower blood phosphate levels.
• Blockage of the vein in the eye (retinal vein occlusion): Early research shows that taking niacin might improve eyesight in people with this condition.
• Sickle cell disease: Early research shows that taking niacin does not improve the levels of blood fats in people with sickle cell disease.
• Acne.
• Alcohol use disorder.
• Athletic performance.
• Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Depression.
• Dizziness.
• Drug-induced hallucinations.
• Migraine.
• Motion sickness.
• Schizophrenia.
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate niacin for these uses.

Side Effects & Safety

When taken by mouth: Niacin is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken appropriately. Prescription products containing niacin are safe when taken as directed. Niacin-containing foods or niacin supplements are safe when taken in doses lower than 35 mcg daily.

A common side effect of niacin is a flushing reaction. This might cause burning, tingling, itching, and redness of the face, arms, and chest, as well as headaches. Starting with small doses of niacin and taking 325 mg of aspirin before each dose of niacin will help reduce the flushing reaction. Usually, this reaction goes away as the body gets used to the medication. Alcohol can make the flushing reaction worse. Avoid large amounts of alcohol while taking niacin.

Other minor side effects of niacin are stomach upset, intestinal gas, dizziness, pain in the mouth, and other problems.

When doses of over 3 grams per day of niacin are taken, more serious side effects can happen. These include liver problems, gout, ulcers of the digestive tract, loss of vision, high blood sugar, irregular heartbeat, and other serious problems.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Niacin is LIKELY SAFE for pregnant and breast-feeding women when taken by mouth in the recommended amounts. The maximum recommended amount of niacin for pregnant or breast-feeding women is 30 mg per day for women under 18 years of age, and 35 mg for women over 18.

Children: Niacin is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in the recommended amounts for each age group. But children should avoid taking doses of niacin above the daily upper limits, which are 10 mg for children 1-3 years of age, 15 mg for children 4-8 years of age, 20 mg for children 9-13 years of age, and 30 mg for children 14-18 years of age.

Allergies: Niacin might worsen allergies by causing histamine, the chemical responsible for allergic symptoms, to be released.

Heart disease/unstable angina: Large amounts of niacin can increase the risk of irregular heartbeat. Use with caution.

Crohn disease: People with Crohn disease might have low niacin levels and require supplementation during flare-ups.

Diabetes: Niacin might increase blood sugar. People with diabetes who take niacin should check their blood sugar carefully.

Gallbladder disease: Niacin might make gallbladder disease worse.

Gout: Large amounts of niacin might bring on gout.

Kidney disease: Niacin might accumulate in people with kidney disease. This might cause harm.

Liver disease: Niacin might increase liver damage. Don’t use large amounts if you have liver disease.

Stomach or intestinal ulcers: Niacin might make ulcers worse. Don’t use large amounts if you have ulcers.

Very low blood pressure: Niacin might lower blood pressure and worsen this condition.

Surgery: Niacin might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop taking niacin at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Fatty deposits around tendons (tendon xanthomas): Niacin might increase the risk of infections in xanthomas.

Thyroid disorders: Thyroxine is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. Niacin might lower blood levels of thyroxine. This might worsen symptoms of certain thyroid disorders.

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