Niacin

Niacin is important for turning the fats and carbs you eat into energy you can use. Without Niacin, your cells can't make enough energy to keep going. Niacin is water-soluble. Whatever the body does not use is released through urine or perspiration. Thus it makes sense to replenish your supply of Niacin regularly. Niacin assists in the functioning of the digestive system, skin, and nerves. A deficiency of Niacin causes pellagra, the symptoms of which include inflamed skin, digestive problems, and mental impairment. Studies show that Niacin may help maintain cardiovascular health by promoting a healthy balance of HDL and LDL cholesterol.

To read more about Niacin, click on the links below.

Council for Responsible Nutrition (PDF)

Vitasearch

Caution: As with any dietary or herbal supplement, you should advise your health care practitioner of the use of this product. If you have ulcers, gallstones or are nursing, pregnant, or considering pregnancy, you should consult your health care provider prior to taking this product.

DESCRIPTION

Niacin (Vitamin B3) is important for turning the fats and carbs (glucose) you eat into energy you can use. Niacin also helps metabolize alcohol. Without Niacin, your cells can't make enough energy to keep going.(1-2)

Niacin is water-soluble. Whatever the body does not use is released through urine or perspiration. Thus it makes sense to replenish your supply of Niacin regularly. Niacin assists in the functioning of the digestive system, skin, and nerves.

Studies show that Niacin may help maintain balance of the fatty substances in the blood, thereby promoting cardiovascular health by promoting a healthy balance of HDL and LDL cholesterol.(3-19)

Niacin is needed for proper circulation and healthy skin. It is required for the proper function of more than 50 enzymes. Niacin is also used to make sex hormones and other important chemical signal molecules.

CRN safety values of Niacin (as Nicotinic Acid)
CRN ULS are defined and selected to represent amounts of vitamins and minerals known to be safe for supplemental intake by healthy adults who eat typical diets.

IMMEDIATE-RELEASE NICOTINIC ACID FORMULATIONS
LOAEL, based on hepatotoxicity	1,000 mg
NOAEL, based on hepatotoxicity	500 mg
Flush label warning	greater than 35 mg

Comparison of safety values of Niacin (as Nicotinic Acid)
US FNB UL	35 mg*, based on flushing effects
EC SCF UL	10 mg, based on flushing effects
EC supplement maximum	Not established (as of May 2004)
UK EVM GL	17 mg, based on flushing effects

Key to Acronyms and Abbreviations
CRN	Council for Responsible Nutrition
CRN ULS	Upper Levels for Supplements
UL	Tolerable Upper Intake Level
GL	Guidance Level
FNB	US Food and Nutrition Board
EC SCF	EU Commission Scientific Committee on Food
UK EVM	UK Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals
IOM	Institute of Medicine

Caution
Do not take more than 500 mg of Niacin per day except under supervision of a physician. Temporary flushing, itching, rash or gastric disturbances may occur. If these symptoms persist, discontinue use and consult a physician.

Note
Niacinamide is another B3 vitamin that does not cause flushing.

Warnings

1. Keep out of reach of children
2. Do not exceed recommended dose
3. Do not purchase if outer seal is broken or damaged
4. If you have a bad reaction to product discontinue use immediately
5. As with any dietary or herbal supplement, if you are undergoing treatment for a medical condition or if you have ulcers, gallstones or are nursing, pregnant, or considering pregnancy, you should consult your health care provider prior to taking this product.

For Safety, Allergies, Side Effects and Warnings, see the Mayo Clinic website. Click here: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/Niacin/NS_patient-Niacin

To read more about Niacin, click on the links listed below:

1. Information on Niacin from Council for Responsible Nutrition (PDF)



2. Mayo Clinic
   Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical practice dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of virtually every type of complex illness.
   
   Mayo Clinic Grades Based on Scientific Evidence
   High cholesterol (Niacin) Grade A
   Pellagra (Niacin) Grade A
   Arteriosclerosis (Niacin) Grade B
   Prevention of a second heart attack (Niacin) Grade B
   Alzheimer's disease/ cognitive decline Grade C
   Osteoarthritis (Niacinamide) Grade C
   
   Key to Grades
   A Strong scientific evidence for this use
   B Good scientific evidence for this use
   C Unclear scientific evidence for this use
   D Fair scientific evidence against this use (it may not work)
   F Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likely does not work

VitaSearch.com
VitaSearch mentions Niacin 332 times - Click Here to View

 

References

1. Am J Clin Nutr. 1981 Mar;34(3):423-7. Am J Clin Nutr. 1980 Oct;33(10):2157-67. J Nutr. 82:395-400. J Nutr. 73:172-176.
2. J Am Diet Assoc. 1989 Dec;89(12):1748-52. Nutr Rev. 1975 Oct;33(10):289-97.
3. Am J Clin Nutr. 1981 Mar;34(3):423-7.
4. Am J Clin Nutr. 1980 Oct;33(10):2157-67.
5. J Nutr. 82:395-400.
6. J Nutr. 73:172-176.
7. J Am Diet Assoc. 1989 Dec;89(12):1748-52.
8. Nutr Rev. 1975 Oct;33(10):289-97.
9. Arch Intern Med. 2002 Jul 22;162(14):1568-76.
10. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2001 Nov;21(11):1783-9.
11. JAMA. 2000 Sep 13;284(10):1263-70.
12. Arch Intern Med. 2000 Apr 24;160(8):1177-84.
13. Am J Cardiol. 2000 May 1;85(9):1100-5.
14. Am J Cardiol. 1998 Dec 17;82(12A):35U-38U; discussion 39U-41U.
15. Am J Cardiol. 1998 Sep 15;82(6):737-43.
16. Am J Cardiol. 1998 Sep 1;82(5):697-9, A9.
17. Am J Med. 1994 Oct;97(4):323-31.
18. Arch Intern Med. 1994 Jul 25;154(14):1586-95.
19. 205. JAMA. 1994 Mar 2;271(9):672-7