Product: Niacin

Company: Natural Factors

Size: 90 Tablets

Ingredients: Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 100mg

Dosage: Take 1 to 5 tablets daily or as directed by a physician.

Contains no artificial preservatives, color, dairy, sweeteners, starch, wheat or yeast.

Description: Niacin or Vitamin B3 is the common name for two compounds: nicotinic acid and nicotinamide (niacinamide). It is one of the most stable B vitamins which can withstand temperatures up to 120° C and is unaltered by exposure to oxygen.

Niacin is involved in over fifty metabolic reactions and therefore is vital for energy and maintaining all body cells. Among its many roles, Niacin assists enzymes to break down fat, protein, carbohydrates. It improves circulation and reduces blood cholesterol. It is involved in the synthesis of sex hormones.

Niacin may help reduce cholesterol, triglycerides, and prevent some types of cancer.

What is the difference between Niacin and Niacinamide?

Vitamin B3 essentially comes in two forms: Niacin or nicotinic acid and Niacinamide and both possess the same vitamin activity in the body. Some people prefer to take Niacinamide because Niacin can cause flushing, itching, burning, and tingling sensations whereas Niacinamide does not. However, Niacin rather than Niacinamide, is recommended for circulatory problems and it has greater cholesterol and triglyceride lowering properties.

Why does Vitamin B3 cause an unpleasant redness and flushing sometimes?

This sensation is often called the ‘Niacin flush’ and it is not considered dangerous. The vasodilating properties of Niacin are responsible for this flush. It usually passes after 15 minutes and can be avoided if one takes Niacinamide instead of Niacin. Sometimes taking Niacin after a meal will prevent this flush.

What factors affect absorption?

A B-complex should be taken with any single B vitamin. Other vitamins that make B3 more effective are Vitamins B1, B2 and C.

Alcohol, antibiotics, excess sugar, coffee, exercise, food processing, pregnancy and nursing deplete this vitamin in the body.

When is this product contraindicated?

Although Niacin is considered nontoxic, doses of 2 grams per day can cause liver damage which can be reversed when Niacin is stopped. However, the liver often adjusts to high amounts of Niacin and shows no signs of toxicity. In any case, it is preferable to be monitored by a trained professional while taking high doses.

High doses of Niacin can also cause depression in some persons. Niacin in high doses may exacerbate a gastric or duodenal ulcer, so consult with your physician before taking large doses. It is also reported that Niacin can also precipitate a gout attack by competing with the excretion of uric acid.