Niacin benefits are wide-ranging and it is vital for a proper functioning of your body. Especially niacin is valuable for your nervous system and brain and as a useful tool for cholesterol levels control. On the other hand lately there has been a lot of discussion about a niacin side effect, so called “niacin flush”, which occurs during a niacin overdose. Let’s look at this powerful vitamin more closely.

Niacin is one of the water soluble B-Complex vitamins, also known by its short name: B-3 vitamin. Niacin is also referred to as nicotinic acid, because it’s literally an oxidation product of nicotine. Despite of its poisonous “parent”-substance, B-3 vitamin is whether a drug nor is it toxic. It’s a relatively harmless vitamin and needs no medical prescription.

Nicotinic acid is essential for proper DNA synthesis and repair. People with B3 deficiency are believed to be more likely to get cancer than those with higher levels of niacin in their diet.

Niacin for cholesterol reduction

B-3 pills are often prescribed for a radical cholesterol reduction. As a matter of fact it’s one of the most popular ways to get rid of unnecessary serum lipid content and therefore reduce a large number of heart-related diseases.

Nicotinic acid and aging

Niacin’s relatively new and most spectacular benefit has been discovered not long ago in Chicago’s Rush Institute of Healthy Aging which found out that people with diets high in niacin had lower risk of getting Alzheimer and age-related cognitive decline. The Alzheimer risk has been reduced by 80% through a daily intake of 48mg niacin.

Niacin has a great impact on your nervous system: it reduces the risk of Schizophrenia, it helps you relax naturally and fall asleep more rapidly, it fights insomnia, it decreases anxiety and depression, etc. B3 is crucial for your emotional balance and well-being.

The natural way of getting niacin without any side effects is through your normal food. It’s also possible to buy B3-vitamin pills in your pharmacy. Although it’s a non-prescription vitamin, if you have a history in heavy alcoholic problems, liver disorders, diabetes or if you are pregnant, you should still consult your physician before buying those pills.

Niacin side effects

While getting cholesterol out of your blood vessels, niacin also dilates these blood vessels a little. If you take an overdose of niacin (usually more than 30 mg in one go) you may notice your skin getting a little red, a warmth feeling under the skin and maybe some itching. This effect is called “niacin flush” which indicates a saturation of niacin in your body.

Usually the niacin flush ends after 10 minutes. Nevertheless depending on the overdose the effect can be lighter or stronger and last for more than 30 minutes. The effect can also be reduced if you take niacin pills during meals with a lot of liquid. To avoid any effects 20mg of niacin for each of 3 daily meals is a good and healthy amount.

If you should consider taking niacin naturally through normal food you shouldn’t worry about side effects, because it’s highly unlikable to get an overdose of B3 that way.

Niacin can be found in

• fish
• poultry
• meat
• rice
• eggs
• etc.

4 ounces of swordfish has 13 mg niacin, 4 ounces of chicken breasts has 15 mg of B3.

Have you ever wondered why Japanese older people are in better mental shape than the elderly people from the west? Check their diet for niacin and make your conclusions.

Note: A real bodytweaker has got enough B3-vitamins in his/her diet to stay healthy without the blush
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