what are the health benefits of taking niacin

What is the best niacin to take to lower cholesterol?

There are three main forms of niacin that are available over-the-counter as a supplement:

• Nicotinic acid
• Nicotinamide
• Inositol hexanicotinate ( flush-free niacin)

Is niacin bad for cholesterol?

Niacin, or vitamin B3, is too dangerous and should not be used routinely by people looking to control their cholesterol levels or prevent heart disease, doctors say. The warning comes following...

What is the daily intake of niacin?

• Children: between 2-16 milligrams daily, depending on age
• Men: 16 milligrams daily
• Women: 14 milligrams daily
• Women ( pregnant ): 18 milligrams daily
• Women ( breastfeeding ): 17 milligrams daily
• Maximum daily intake for adults of all ages: 35 milligrams daily

Is niacin good or bad for the liver?

Small amounts of niacin supplements may reverse deficiencies. But if you take niacin in large doses to treat conditions such as high cholesterol or arthritis, you face the risk of liver damage. And alcohol itself can cause liver damage. If you drink large quantities of alcohol, do not take niacin without a doctor’s consent and supervision.

What does niacin a do for your body?

It helps keep your nervous system, digestive system and skin healthy. Niacin (vitamin B-3) is often part of a daily multivitamin, but most people get enough niacin from the food they eat. Foods rich in niacin include yeast, milk, meat, tortillas and cereal grains.

Can niacin damage your liver?

Niacin can cause mild-to-moderate serum aminotransferase elevations and high doses and certain formulations of niacin have been linked to clinically apparent, acute liver injury which can be severe as well as fatal.

Can I take niacin everyday?

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for adults 19+ years is 16 mg NE for men, 14 mg NE for women, 18 mg NE for pregnant women, and 17 mg NE for lactating women. UL: The Tolerable Upper Intake Level is the maximum daily intake unlikely to cause harmful effects on health.

What time is best to take niacin?

In general, the immediate-release form of niacin should be taken after your evening meal and the extended-release form should be taken at bedtime after a low-fat snack. Taking it in the morning or on an empty stomach might cause you to experience more side effects such as flushing and stomach upset.

Can niacin reduce belly fat?

The vitamin niacin (B3, or nicotinic acid), already known for its cholesterol-lowering effects, may also reduce central or abdominal fat accumulation in HIV-associated lipodystrophy, according to the results of a small 16 person study reported today at the Ninth Annual Retroviruses Conference in Seattle.

Does niacin help with Covid?

Recent evidence indicates that targeting IL-6 could help control the inflammatory storm in patients with COVID-19 [16]. Moreover, niacin reduces neutrophil infiltration and exhibits an anti-inflammatory effect in patients with ventilator-induced lung injury.

Does niacin clean your arteries?

Niacin, or Vitamin B3, is the best agent known to raise blood levels of HDL, which helps remove cholesterol deposits from the artery walls.

Can niacin raise blood pressure?

Nicotinic acid (niacin) is a well-established treatment for dyslipidaemia – an important cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor. However, niacin may also reduce blood pressure (BP), which is another important CVD risk factor.

Does niacin regrow hair?

Niacin aids in the stimulation of new hair growth, and in one key study, published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, the researchers showed that niacin increased hair fullness.

What is the most common side effect of niacin?

A common side effect of niacin is a flushing reaction. This might cause burning, itching, and redness of the face, arms, and chest, as well as headaches.

What is niacin 500mg good for?

Niacin is used with a proper diet and exercise program to help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (LDL, triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It is generally used after non-drug treatments have not been fully successful at lowering cholesterol.

Is niacin Safe for Kidneys?

The authors concluded that niacin supplementation mitigates the upregulation of oxidative stress and the inflammatory system in the kidney. However, in another study, niacin treatment (1 g/d for 4 weeks and advanced to 2 g/d for 20 weeks) in patients with CKD (i.e., Stages 2–3) did not show renoprotective effects [20].

What is the role of niacin in cellular metabolism?

Furthermore, it plays a role in cell signaling and making and repairing DNA, in addition to acting as an antioxidant ( 4.

What is the best way to get niacin?

Niacin is one of eight B vitamins that are important for every part of your body. Luckily, you can get all the niacin you need through your diet. Foods that provide niacin include meat, fish and nuts. However, supplemental forms are sometimes recommended to treat certain medical conditions, including high cholesterol.

What is the name of the B vitamin?

Niacin is one of the eight B vitamins, and it’s also called vitamin B3. There are two main chemical forms and each has different effects on your body. Both forms are found in foods as well as supplements. ). Niacinamide or nicotinamide: Unlike nicotinic acid, niacinamide doesn’t lower cholesterol.

Is niacin rare in Western countries?

Skin problems. That said, deficiency is very rare in most Western countries. Severe niacin deficiency, or pellagra, mostly occurs in developing countries, where diets are not as varied. Summary. Niacin is a vitamin that acts as an. antioxidant and plays a role in cell signaling and DNA repair.

Can niacin be used for high cholesterol?

However, niacin is not the primary treatment for high cholesterol due to its possible side effects ( 11 ). Rather, it’s primarily used as a cholesterol-lowering treatment for people who can’t tolerate statins ( 12. Trusted Source. ).

Does nicotinamide help with skin cancer?

Recent research suggests it may help prevent some types of skin cancer as well ( 21. Trusted Source. ). One study found that taking 500 mg of nicotinamide — a form of niacin — twice daily reduced rates of non-melanoma skin cancer among high-risk individuals ( 22. Trusted Source.

Can niacin cause a flush?

Below are some of the most common side effects of niacin supplements: Niacin flush: Nicotinic acid supplements may cause a flush on the face, chest or neck that. results from blood vessel dilation. You may also experience a tingling, burning. sensation or pain ( 32.

What is niacin used for?

Overview. Niacin is a B vitamin that's made and used by your body to turn food into energy. It helps keep your nervous system, digestive system and skin healthy. Niacin (vitamin B-3) is often part of a daily multivitamin, but most people get enough niacin from the food they eat. Foods rich in niacin include yeast, milk, meat, ...

What foods contain niacin?

Foods rich in niacin include yeast, milk, meat, tortillas and cereal grains. People use prescription niacin (Niacor, Niaspan) to help control their cholesterol. The recommended daily amount of niacin for adult males is 16 milligrams (mg) a day and for adult women who aren't pregnant, 14 mg a day.

What is the best medicine for gout?

Allopurinol (Zyloprim). If you're taking niacin and have gout, you might need to take more of this gout medicine to control your gout. Anticoagulant and anti-platelet drugs, herbs and supplements. These types of drugs, herbs and supplements reduce blood clotting.

Does niacin help with cholesterol?

Prescription niacin is used to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol — the "good" cholesterol that helps remove low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the "bad" cholesterol, from your bloodstream.

Does niacin lower blood sugar?

Taking niacin with chromium might lower your blood sugar. If you have diabetes and take niacin and chromium, closely monitor your blood sugar levels. Diabetes drugs. If you have diabetes, niacin can interfere with blood glucose control. You might need to adjust the dose of your diabetes drugs.

Does niacin cause blood pressure?

Taking niacin with them might increase your risk of bleeding. Blood pressure drugs, herbs and supplements. Niacin might have an additive effect when you take blood pressure drugs, herbs or supplements. This could increase your risk of low blood pressure (hypotension).

Can you take niacin while pregnant?

If you're pregnant, don't take prescription niacin for high cholesterol. However, if needed to prevent or treat niacin deficiency, niacin is likely safe to take during pregnancy and in breast-feeding women when used in recommended amounts.

What is the benefit of niacin?

Niacin Health Benefits. Niacin (or nicotinic acid as it’s referred to in medical circles) was the third B vitamin to be discovered (hence the name B3). It wasn’t until about 1943, though, that a couple of doctors reported that niacin worked wonders in relieving the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis. Niacin has a unique characteristic.

Does B3 help with Alzheimer's?

Additionally, the University of California at Irvine conducted a study on B3 for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and found that the vitamin "lowered levels of a protein called phosphorylated tau that leads to the development of tangles , one of two brain lesions associated with Alzheimer’s disease .

Does niacin cause redness?

Niacin causes the blood vessels to dilate or open up near the skin, which results in a hot, tingling sensation accompanied by a red flushing of the skin. Generally, by starting with low amounts of niacin (50 to 100 mg a day) and gradually increasing the dosage, a person can quickly build up a tolerance and avoid the flush.

Does niacin help with cholesterol?

Yes! Niacin lowers cholesterol and tri glycerides. It reduces the blood fats called “very low density lipoproteins,” which have been linked to heart disease and cancer. It improves the blood sugar problems that can lead to damage of the arterial walls.

Do B vitamins work together?

Keep in mind that all of the B vitamins actually work in conjunction with each other —which means you can expect better results if you take niacin or niacinamide along with a good multivitamin that contains a broad balance of B vitamins.

Can niacin cause gout?

Niacin may irritate the stomach lining if taken on an empty stomach, so always take it after a meal. If you have problems with gout , be aware that niacin competes with the excretion of uric acid. Thus, large dosages could precipitate a gout attack.

Can niacinamide cause blisters?

Other Uses for Niacin and Niacinamide. Being deficient in niacin can make a person very sensitive to sunlight. Even minimal exposure can often lead to severe itching and blistering. As little as 200 mg of niacin daily can help the problem.

Why is niacin important?

Boosts Energy. Niacin is quite important to the body when it comes to generating energy. Without the vitamin, your body simply cannot convert the protein, carbs, and fat into usable energy. Niacin is one of the B vitamins that help you acquire energy from the food you eat.

How does niacin help the heart?

Niacin is often used to improve the levels of good cholesterol, which, in turn, reduces the bad cholesterol – ultimately strengthening the heart ( 2 ). Niacin works by blocking the way your liver makes cholesterol.

What is niacin found in?

What Is Niacin? Also called vitamin B3, this nutrient is water-soluble and found in several common foods like meat, tuna fish, seeds, mushrooms, etc. It is a part of the B-complex vitamins, which also include thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), and others. Niacin is the medical name of vitamin B3 and comes in 3 forms – nicotinic acid, ...

What are the symptoms of niacin deficiency?

Severe deficiency of niacin (also called pellagra, which we will discuss later in this post) can lead to the following symptoms: 1 Scaly rashes on the skin exposed to sunlight 2 Vomiting and diarrhea 3 Apathy 4 Disorientation 5 Memory loss 6 Depression 7 Swollen mouth

How long does it take for a niacin flush to go away?

It is harmless, though. The flush starts on your face and might travel to your chest and arms, and eventually disappears in 30 minutes to two hours. Allergies. Niacin can aggravate allergies because it releases histamine, which is a chemical responsible for allergies.

What is the role of niacin in cellular metabolism?

Niacin also prepares and repairs DNA and even works as an antioxidant.

Is nicotinic acid good for diabetes?

It is an important vitamin and benefits one in several ways – right from protecting the heart and improving metabolism to enhancing brain function and aiding diabetes treatment ( 1 ). Subscribe. Nicotinic acid works as a supplement and is used to treat high blood cholesterol and heart disease.

What are the benefits of niacin?

Doctors commonly prescribe high doses of supplemental niacin to help patients with high cholesterol in hopes of lowering their risk for heart disease. High doses of the nutrient have been found to: 1 Increase production of “good” HDL cholesterol 2 Lower release of “bad” LDL cholesterol 3 Lower triglyceride levels

What is the role of niacin in the body?

Niacin plays a role in converting food to energy to be used by the body. Most people would get enough from their diet—it’s found in foods like turkey, chicken, peanuts, mushrooms, tuna in high amounts—or from a daily multivitamin.

How long does it take for niacin to flush your face?

The symptoms of niacin flush, redness and discomfort on the face that may travel down your upper body, usually appear within 15 to 30 minutes after taking it, and subside in about an hour. There are two common forms of supplemental niacin.

Is niacin flush good for pellagra?

Niacin Flush Benefits to Treat Pellagra. As noted above, pellagra is a very rare health condition that can result from a deficiency of vitamin B3. For most healthy people, pellagra is extremely unlikely, and the risk generally applies to alcohol abusers or people living with HIV/AIDS.

Can you take niacin for detox?

Niacin can be taken as well, since the body converts it to niacinamide. 6. Niacin Flush Benefits for Detoxifying Your Body. There is a myth circulating that a big hit of niacin can help skew the results of a drug test.

Does niacin flush help with heart disease?

A niacin flush benefits heart disease patients by opening blood vessels to improve circulation to parts of the body that are otherwise starved for oxygen and nutrition. It also helps to lower LDL blood fats linked to heart disease as well as cancer.

Does niacin flush lower cholesterol?

Niacin Flush Benefits for Cholesterol & Triglycerides. If you’re looking to lower your blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) in a cost-effective manner, niacin flush benefits even extend to this, as taking 1,000 to 3,000 mg a day could lower your “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by up to 20% .

What is the role of niacin in the body?

Niacin, which is also referred to as vitamin B-3, is one of eight B vitamins that plays a role in converting the calories you eat into usable energy . Niacin is also responsible for the production of stress and sex hormones and can help to improve circulation. According to the National Institutes of Health, you can consume all ...

What are the side effects of taking niacin?

This side effect, while not serious, is characterized by redness, itching and tingling in the neck, face, arms and upper chest. According to the National Institutes of Health, niacin flushing can start at doses of 30 to 50 milligrams. Advertisement.

Can niacin cause imbalance?

One less-obvious side effect of high-dose niacin is a potential imbalance in other B-vitamin levels in the body. Taking high doses of any one of the B vitamins can cause imbalances in other B vitamins. Therefore, it is best to consume a B-complex vitamin, containing all of the B vitamins, if you decide to use supplements.

Is niacin bad for you?

High doses of niacin are used as a treatment for lowering cholesterol. But consuming too much niacin in supplement form can cause side effects and be harmful to your health.

Can you eat niacin?

According to the National Institutes of Health, you can consume all the niacin you need though diet, which makes niacin deficiency very uncommon in developed countries. While high doses of niacin present a number of serious risks, they may also be useful, under medical supervision, for treating high cholesterol.

Can you take niacin with diabetes?

It's particularly important for individuals who already have liver disease, kidney disease or stomach ulcers to avoid niacin pills. In addition, those with diabetes or gallbladder disease should only use niacin under the supervision of a medical professional. Read more: Niacin & Anxiety. Advertisement.

Is niacin a water soluble vitamin?

While niacin, like all other B vitamins, is water-soluble and can be excreted by the body when taken in excess, there are still a number of dangers in consuming doses as high as 500 milligrams. Such doses have the potential to cause skin rashes, peptic ulcers, increased blood sugar and liver damage, among others.

Why is niacin important in food?

Foods high in niacin are typically rich in a long list of other important nutrients as well, which is why most can fit seamlessly into many forms of traditional medicine for their healing and health-promoting properties.

What are the side effects of taking niacin?

Other potential side effects that can be caused by niacin supplementation include stomach pain, nausea, increased blood sugar, liver damage and gout.

What is the best vitamin for acne?

Some people use niacin or niacinamide for improving skin health and treating conditions like acne and inflammation. In fact, vitamin B3 in the form of niacinamide is prescribed as a natural skin care treatment to help clear acne when applied to the skin topically, and other people choose to take niacin or B vitamin complex supplements to reduce symptoms. ( 9)

How to know if you have niacin deficiency?

Diagnosis is usually clinical, and dietary supplementation with high doses of niacin is generally successful is resolving symptoms. When a niacin deficiency is seen, the following are some of the most common signs and symptoms: Pellagra — characterized by skin inflammation, hallucinations, digestive distress.

What is niacin in food?

What Is Niacin? Vitamin B3, also called niacin vitamin and niacinamide, is an important lipid-altering, water-soluble vitamin that can be found in many common foods, including certain types of meats and organ meats, tuna fish, seeds, mushrooms and more.

What is niacinamide used for?

Niacin or niacinamide is also used for treating and preventing schizophrenia and hallucinations. ( 13) Plus, some studies and case reports have found therapeutic effects of niacin for depression, bipolar disorder and other psychiatric disorders as well. ( 14, 15) 6. Promotes Joint Health.

How to get more B3?

The best way to get more vitamin B3 in your daily diet is by upping your intake of nutrient-rich foods with niacin and being sure to include a few servings per day to help meet your needs. Protein foods like meat, fish and poultry are all excellent sources of niacin , as are other nutrient-rich options like brown rice, sunflower seeds, sweet potatoes and more.

What is niacin used for?

What is niacin? Niacin (nicotinic acid) is a B vitamin that's used by your body to turn food into energy. Niacin also helps keep your nervous system, digestive system and skin healthy. That's why niacin is often a part of a daily multivitamin, though most people get enough niacin from the food they eat.

What happens if you take too much niacin?

High-dose niacin can cause stomach upset and make your skin flush or itch. More importantly, niacin can increase your risk of: 1 High blood sugar levels or type 2 diabetes 2 Infection 3 Liver damage 4 Stroke 5 Bleeding

Does niacin raise HDL cholesterol?

Niacin can raise HDL cholesterol by more than 30 percent. There's currently some debate about the exact role HDL plays in the body and in the development of heart disease. But HDL has generally been thought to pick up excess "bad" cholesterol in your blood and take it to your liver for disposal, which is why HDL is dubbed the "good" cholesterol.

Is niacin safe for everyone?

But niacin isn't for everyone. People who take niacin in addition to common cholesterol medications see very little additional benefit. And niacin can cause uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous side effects.

Is niacin over the counter?

Prescription-strength niacin includes such drugs as Niacor and Niaspan. Niacin is also available as an over-the-counter supplement. Supplements sold over-the-counter are not regulated like prescription medications. The ingredients, formulations and effects of over-the-counter niacin can vary widely.

Can you take niacin with statins?

Most doctors no longer recommend niacin for first line cholesterol control — except for people who can't tolerate statins. In those people, the benefits of niacin may outweigh the risk of potentially serious side effects. Niacin and niacinamide (vitamin B3).

Does niacin increase HDL?

In the past, it was thought that HDL levels would increase even more if niacin was added to cholesterol medications called statins, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor) and simvastatin (Zocor). But recent studies indicate that niacin provides little additional benefit when compared with statins alone, and may increase the risks of serious side effects.

What are the benefits of niacinamide?

Individual benefits include: Immunity. Niacinamide helps build keratin. Trusted Source. , a type of protein that keeps your skin firm and healthy. Lipid barrier. Niacinamide can help your skin grow a ceramide (lipid) barrier. Trusted Source. , which can, in turn, helps retain moisture.

How much niacinamide is safe for skin?

Niacinamide concentration can vary across products, though most formulations are 5 percent or less . Some reports suggest 5 percent formulas are effective in treating hyperpigmentation and damage related to sun exposure. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to start with a lower concentration.

Can niacinamide be used before moisturizing?

Think of serums as extra treatments that address individual skin concerns outside of regular cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. Your niacinamide serum should be applied after toning but before moisturizing. Some cleansers and creams also contain niacinamide.

Does niacinamide help with acne?

Treats acne. Niacinamide may be helpful for severe acne, especially inflammatory forms like papules and pustules. Over time, you may see fewer lesions and improved skin texture.

Can niacinamide cause histamine?

People who have preexisting allergies may be more likely to experience an allergic reaction. This is because niacinamide can cause your body to release histamine. You can avoid widespread allergic reactions and product sensitivities by doing a patch test: Apply a dime-sized amount of product on your forearm.

Does niacinamide help with hyperpigmentation?

The ingredient can help reduce inflammation and hyperpigmentation, smooth your overall skin texture, and brighten your skin.

Can you make niacinamide from niacin?

However, your body can make niacinamide from nia cin supplements you’ve taken. This happens when there’s an excessive amount of niacin in the body. Tryptophan in the body can also be converted into niacinamide. You should always talk to a doctor before taking vitamin B-3 or other supplements.