is it safe to take niacin everyday

What are the dangers of niacin?

• Dizziness or faintness
• dryness of the skin
• fever
• frequent urination
• joint pain
• muscle aching or cramping
• side, lower back, or stomach pain
• swelling of the feet or lower legs
• unusual thirst
• unusual tiredness or weakness

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Is taking too much niacin bad?

Too much niacin can lead to terrible side effects, including the loss of your hair, cracked and dry skin, rashes, skin flushing, and severe itching. Liver. Your liver has trouble handling high doses of niacin, and that could lead to jaundice, increased blood liver enzymes, severe liver damage and even liver failure.

How much niacin should you have a day?

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. Research on the use of oral niacin to treat specific conditions shows: High cholesterol.

Is it dangerous to take 500 mg of niacin daily?

But from a liver-toxicity perspective, 500 mg of niacin is not likely to be a problem in people not suffering from an acute liver disorder. Also but: if you work up to 500 mg steadily, starting with 10, 20 or 50 mg and not stopping on the way up, 500 mg might be easily tolerated. But a word of warning, if you take a week long vacation withou

Is it safe to take 500mg of niacin a day?

Niacin in the form of nicotinamide has fewer side effects than nicotinic acid. However, at high doses of 500 mg/day or more, nicotinamide can cause diarrhea, easy bruising, and can increase bleeding from wounds. Even higher doses of 3,000 mg/day or more can cause nausea, vomiting, and liver damage.

Can niacin be taken long-term?

A time-release form of niacin reduces flushing. But long-term use is associated with liver damage. In addition, niacin can interact with other cholesterol-lowering medicines. You should not take niacin at high doses without your doctor's supervision.

What are the risks of niacin?

The supplement has been linked with liver damage, can cause hypotension and might activate a peptic ulcer. Taking niacin also might worsen allergies, gallbladder disease and symptoms of certain thyroid disorders. If you have diabetes, niacin can interfere with blood glucose control.

How often should niacin be taken?

Adults—500 to 2000 milligrams (mg) one to three times a day. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Does niacin remove plaque from arteries?

The combination of niacin plus simvastatin decreases coronary plaque volume and attenuates the inflammatory response in patients with intermediate coronary artery stenosis.

Should I take niacin in the morning or at night?

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.

How long does it take for niacin to lower cholesterol?

Further, as the 1986 study showed, the benefit of niacin may take up to 15 years to show benefit; the trials of statin-plus-niacin were only for 3-4 years.

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.

What is niacin used to treat?

Prescription niacin is used to reduce the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (fatty substances) in your blood, and decrease your risk of a heart attack. It works along with diet, exercise, and weight loss.

What medicines should not be taken with niacin?

Anticoagulants (blood thinners) -- Niacin may make the effects of these medications stronger, increasing the risk of bleeding. Blood Pressure Medications, Alpha-blockers -- Niacin can make the effects of medications taken to lower blood pressure stronger, leading to the risk of low blood pressure.

Does niacin affect sleep?

Approximately 30 minutes prior to going to bed, taking a small amount of niacin (dosage can vary widely between 25 milligrams to 250 milligrams, depending on your individual circumstances) can significantly reduce the time it takes to fall asleep.

Will 500 mg of niacin lower cholesterol?

How much niacin should I take to reduce cholesterol? The doses that have been shown effective for reducing cholesterol range from 500-2000 mg.

How much niacin will damage your liver?

Niacin IR typically causes hepatotoxicity at doses above 3 g/day. 4-8 Although usually reversible, at least one documented case resulted in acute liver failure, requiring emergent liver transplantation.

Is vitamin B12 and niacin the same thing?

Vitamin B3 is a member of the vitamin family and includes three forms of vitamers: nicotinamide, niacin, and nicotinamide riboside. Vitamin B12 is a type of vitamin involved in metabolism in our body.

Will 500 mg of niacin lower cholesterol?

How much niacin should I take to reduce cholesterol? The doses that have been shown effective for reducing cholesterol range from 500-2000 mg.

Is the niacin flush good for you?

A niacin flush can be a temporary side effect of taking niacin; it's also a protocol used by some physicians to lower lipid profiles and boost heart health. Studies have shown that niacin flush benefits can include reduced LDL cholesterol, triglyceride levels and oxidative stress while increasing HDL cholesterol.

What Impact Does Niacin Have on 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 devel...

What Else Can Be Done to Increase HDL?

Lifestyle changes are helpful in boosting HDL: 1. Stop smoking if you're a smoker. 2. Eat a healthy diet. 3. Start an exercise program, with your d...

What Side Effects Are Associated With Taking High Doses of 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...

Who Might Consider Taking Niacin?

In the past, it was thought that HDL levels would increase even more if niacin was added to cholesterol medications called statins, such as atorvas...

How much niacin should you take?

Since niacin can be used in different ways, talk to your health care provider about the best dosage for you.

Why do people take niacin?

As a cholesterol treatment, there are good studies showing that niacin can boost levels of good HDL cholesterol and lower triglycerides. Niacin also modestly lowers bad LDL cholesterol. It's sometimes prescribed in combination with statins for cholesterol control, such as rosuvastatin ( Crestor, Ezallor ), simvastatin, fluvastatin ( Lescol ), atorvastatin ( Lipitor) and pravastatin ( Pravachol ).

What are the risks of taking niacin?

Your health care provider will probably suggest increasing the dose slowly to reduce this problem. They might also offer a time-release prescription formulation to control flushing. Niacin can cause upset stomach and diarrhea. However, all of these side effects tend to fade over time.

Is niacin safe for high cholesterol?

Get advice from your healthcare provider. At the low DRI doses, niacin is safe for everyone. However, at the higher amounts used to treat medical conditions, it can have risks.

Is niacin safe for pregnant women?

However, at the higher amounts used to treat medical conditions, it can have risks. For that reason, children and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take nia cin supplements in excess of the DRI unless it's recommended by a doctor.

Can niacin interact with blood thinners?

Interactions. If you take any medicines or supplements regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using niacin supplements. They could interact with medicines like diabetes drugs, blood thinners, anticonvulsants, blood pressure medicines, thyroid hormones, and antibiotics as well as supplements like ginkgo biloba and some antioxidants. Alcohol might increase the risk of liver problems. Though niacin is often used along with statins for high cholesterol, this combination may increase the risk for side effects. Get advice from your healthcare provider.

Can you take niacin over the counter?

These doses could pose risks, such as liver damage, gastrointestinal problems, or glucose intolerance. So don't treat yourself with over-the-counter niacin supplements. Instead, get advice from your health care provider, who can prescribe FDA-approved doses of niacin instead if recommended. In addition, niacin is an FDA-approved treatment ...

Who might consider taking niacin?

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 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

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 side effects are associated with taking high doses of niacin?

High-dose niacin can cause stomach upset and make your skin flush or itch. More importantly, niacin can increase your risk of:

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.

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).

What happens if you stop taking niacin?

If you stop taking the drug or don’t take it at all: If you don’t take niacin, your cholesterol levels may not be controlled. High cholesterol levels put you at a higher risk for heart attack and stroke.

How does niacin help with cholesterol?

Niacin works with exercise and a healthy diet to improve your cholesterol levels.

What to do if you have serious side effects?

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

Is niacin a generic drug?

Prescription niacin is available as a generic drug and as brand-name drugs. Brand names: Niacor, Niaspan.

Does niacin help with heart disease?

Prescription niacin is used to reduce the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (fatty substances) in your blood, and decrease your risk of a heart attack. It works along with diet, exercise, and weight loss.

Does niacin cause liver problems?

Liver effects: Niacin may cause your liver function lab test results to be abnormally high. Your doctor will monitor this while you’re taking this drug.

Does niacin cause muscle breakdown?

Muscle effects: Niacin may increase your risk of muscle breakdown. Your risk is higher if you’re a senior, take a statin drug, or have diabetes, problems producing enough thyroid hormones, or kidney disease. Tell your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle soreness, pain, or weakness.

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.

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 ...

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 250 mg a high dose?

According to MedlinePlus, doses this high are typically sold as prescription products. Because very high doses are required for treating high cholesterol, dietary supplements — which typically come in strengths of 250 milligrams or less — are not appropriate for this use. Advertisement.

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.

How many niacin prescriptions were written in 2009?

Of all niacin prescriptions written in 2009, 80 percent were for Niaspan, a slow-releasing niacin tablet made by Abbott Laboratories, according to a study published last year.

Does niacin cause diabetes?

Niacin was also linked with more hospitalizations among diabetic patients and the development of diabetes in people who didn't have it at the beginning of the study.

Does niacin cause liver problems?

The study also found some unexpected and serious side effects. People who took niacin were more likely than people taking a placebo to experience liver problems, infections and bleeding in various body areas including the stomach, intestines and brain.

Does niacin help with heart problems?

However, clinical trials have not shown that taking niacin in any form actually prevents heart problems. Considering the alarming side effects of niacin, researchers now say the vitamin shouldn't even be prescribed anymore. "There might be one excess death for every 200 people we put on niacin," said Dr.

Does niacin help with cholesterol?

Niacin has long been used to increase people's levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or the "good" cholesterol, and has been a major focus of research into heart disease prevention for several decades. However, clinical trials have not shown that taking niacin in any form actually prevents heart problems.

Is niacin bad for you?

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 recent evidence showing the vitamin does not reduce heart attacks or strokes, and instead is linked to an increased risk of bleeding, diabetes and death.

Can you take statins for heart attack?

Niacin should only be considered for patients at very high risk for a heart attack and stroke who can't take statins, ...

How serious is niacin?

It's worth noting that some cholesterol patients are prescribed a niacin dosage that is over 1,000 milligrams, so the side effects can be pretty serious. The Mayo Clinic lists some of the side effects caused by high doses of niacin, taken via supplements: Flushed skin. Dizziness.

What is the importance of niacin?

Importance of Niacin. The University of Rochester notes that niacin is part of the B complex group of vitamins. According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, there are collectively eight B vitamins, of which niacin is vitamin B3. The Mayo Clinic explains that your body uses niacin to turn the food you eat into energy.

How does niacin help your body?

The Mayo Clinic explains that your body uses niacin to turn the food you eat into energy. It basically helps your body use the carbohydrates, fats and proteins that you consume. In fact, the University of Rochester says that niacin is involved in two enzyme systems within your body; these systems affect every single one of your tissues.

What are the benefits of B complex vitamins?

Read more: The Surprising Benefits and Side Effects of B-Complex Vitamins. The Mayo Clinic explains that your body uses niacin to turn the food you eat into energy. It basically helps your body use the carbohydrates, fats and proteins that you consume. In fact, the University of Rochester says that niacin is involved in two enzyme systems within ...

What foods can you take niacin from?

This nutrient is found in many foods like yeast, meats (liver especially), seeds, grains and legumes. Niacin is also found in many enriched foods, like corn tortillas, ...

What to do if you overdose on niacin?

If you suspect that you have overdosed on niacin, you should seek medical help immediately. You should also discuss any existing conditions you have with your doctor before you start taking niacin supplements. According to the Mayo Clinic, niacin supplements can exacerbate certain health issues like allergies, gallbladder conditions and certain thyroid disorders.

How many B vitamins are there in the human body?

According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, there are collectively eight B vitamins, of which niacin is vitamin B3.

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 niacin used for?

Niacin helps protect skin cells from sun damage, whether it’s used orally or applied as a lotion ( 17 ).

What is the role of niacin in the body?

The key role of niacin in your body is to synthesize the coenzymes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), which are involved in over 400 biochemical reactions in your body — mainly related to obtaining energy from the food you eat ( 1 ).

Why does the brain need niacin?

Your brain needs niacin — as a part of the coenzymes NAD and NADP — to get energy and function properly.

What is the B3 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. Nicotinic acid: As a supplement, nicotinic acid is a form of niacin used to reduce cholesterol levels and lower your risk of heart disease ( 1.

How does niacin help with energy?

As with all B vitamins, niacin helps convert food into energy by aiding enzymes.

What foods contain niacin?

Many foods contain niacin, especially meat, nuts, and legumes. Some foods are also fortified with extra B vitamins.

How to take niacin?

Precautions of Taking Niacin Supplements 1 Taking an aspirin 30 minutes before the niacin dose might help the side effects of “flush” – red skin and a burning, tingling sensation of the face and chest. 2 Alert your doctor if you have a history of diabetes or gallbladder problems. People with stomach ulcers, liver disease or kidney disease should not take niacin supplements. 3 Never take niacin within two weeks of a schedule surgery. 4 Remember that niacin increases histamine, which can make allergies worse. 5 Taking any B vitamin, such as niacin, for a long period of time can lead to an imbalance among the B vitamins in your body. Therefore, it might be best to take a B-complex vitamin to ensure no imbalances occur. 6 Due to the risk of heart rhythm changes, those who have unstable angina or coronary artery disease should never take niacin supplements without the doctor’s permission. 7 Niacin can lead to drops in blood pressure. Anyone who has a history of low blood pressure should be carefully monitored while on niacin. 8 Those who have a history of gout should never take niacin.

How Much Niacin Is Too Much?

Though your body definitely needs niacin, too much of it can actually be toxic. Adults should not exceed 35 milligrams in a day. Teenagers up to the age of 18 can tolerate 30 milligrams at most per day, while those between the ages of 9 and 13 shouldn’t have more than 20 milligrams per day. Most people get enough niacin in their diet and do not need a supplement; only those who have a true niacin deficiency, as diagnosed by a physician, should consider taking niacin supplements.

What to do if you overdose on niacin?

If you have overdosed on supplements, seek medical help immediately. At the emergency department, certain medications might help, or gastric lavage might be used to rid the stomach of any supplements left there.

What happens if you take too much niacin?

You might also experience constipation, loss of appetite and weight loss. Muscles and joints. Muscle cell damage, weakened muscles, muscle pain and joint pain are common problems for those who take too much niacin. Nervous system.

How long after surgery can you take niacin?

Never take niacin within two weeks of a schedule surgery.

Can too much niacin cause heart problems?

Heart and blood. Too much niacin can lead to circulatory collapse, palpitations, abnormal heart rhythms, reduced white blood cell count, excess clotting, and the potential for long-term heart disease.

Can you take niacin with angina?

Due to the risk of heart rhythm changes, those who have unstable angina or coronary artery disease should never take niacin supplements without the doctor’s permission. Niacin can lead to drops in blood pressure. Anyone who has a history of low blood pressure should be carefully monitored while on niacin.

When to take niacin?

Thus, the best way to use niacin as a supplement is to take it during or just after a meal, not at other times.

Why does niacin cause a heart attack?

Niacin causes cellular metabolism to switch from primarily using glucose as a fuel to primarily using fats, except in the heart, where lipids are the primary fuel and niacin causes a switch to glucose (Carlson, 2005). This switch takes place postprandially, that is, right after you eat, which is when you experience the highest level of blood fats, high enough to increase the risk of a heart attack. That is why some people have a heart attack after eating a heavy meal.

Does niacin reduce triglycerides?

Niacin prevents lipolysis, the release of these fatty acids from adipose tissue into the bloodstream. (The liver uses the fatty acids to produce triglycerides . The reduction in the availability of free fatty acids for the liver to make triglycerides is why niacin causes a reduction in triglycerides (Virtue, 2012; Kroon, 2017).

Does niacin increase glucose?

Taking niacin can’t “switch” the choice of metabolic fuel to fats when you are already using fats as a fuel, but it can reduce the ability of cells to use glucose, which is why some people have a small increase in blood glucose when they use niacin.

Is it safe to take niacin at the right time?

Oh, yes, there is a right way to take high-dose immediate release niacin. Take it at the right time and you can get a host of health benefits, especially reduced triglycerides, LDL, and VLDL and increased HDL—at the wrong time, you lose some of these benefits. Here’s why.

Does niacin help with emotional stress?

Another potential benefit from taking niacin is that niacin has been shown in healthy human subjects to reduce the elevated fatty acids and triglycerides that resulted from 2 hours of emotional stress as compared to similar human subjects receiving the same emotional stress but no niacin. (Carlson, 2005, p. 99)

Benefits

Medical uses

Risks

• However, niacin is only effective as a cholesterol treatment at fairly high doses. These doses could pose risks, such as liver damage, gastrointestinal problems, or glucose intolerance. So don't treat yourself with over-the-counter niacin supplements. Instead, get advice from your health care provider, who can prescribe FDA-approved doses of niacin...

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Administration

Definition

Treatment