Introduction
Niacin Pharmacist Advice
If you are taking the extended-release form of niacin, take the medication at bedtime after eating a low-fat snack such as fruit, pretzels, or carrots. This reduces the risk of side effects such as flushing and upset stomach.
Does niacin increase metabolism?
Niacin, or vitamin B3, is an essential nutrient that you must consume in your diet because your body cannot synthesize or store it. Among other things, niacin helps metabolism and the nervous system. Many foods are rich in niacin, especially animal products such as meat, fish, and poultry.
What happens if you take niacin every 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 may cause diarrhea, easy bruising, and may increase bleeding from wounds. Even higher doses of 3000 mg/day or more can cause nausea, vomiting, and liver damage.
Does niacin make you fat?
Niacin has been found to increase daily feed intake, weight gain, and percentage of abdominal fat in chickens when supplementation is increased from 0 to 60 mg of nicotinic acid per kilogram of diet [24]. Formula feeding has been found to lead to increased fat gain, which may explain an increased risk of later obesity[81,82].
Can niacin cause loss of appetite?
See your doctor right away if you experience upper stomach pain or tenderness, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, unusual tiredness or weakness, or eyes or yellow skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem. This medication may affect blood sugar levels.
Does niacin help reduce belly fat?
Additionally, a 2002 pilot study found that niacin may help reduce abdominal fat. Participants received an average dose of 3,000 mg of niacin per day; after one year, 81% of participants had reductions in intra-abdominal fat 12.
Which vitamin helps to lose weight?
Vitamins B, D, iron and magnesium are four well-known vitamins for weight loss. Vitamin B helps the body convert food into energy. It also plays a role in metabolism and cell function. A lack of B vitamins can lead to fatigue and weight gain.
What are the dangers of niacin?
Niacin can cause excess uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia), putting you at risk for gout.
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High doses of niacin available on prescription can cause:
intense facial flushing associated with dizziness .
rapid heartbeat.
itching.
Nausea and vomiting.
Abdominal pain.
Diarrhea.
Gout.
Liver damage.
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Who should avoid taking niacin?
People with a history of liver disease, kidney disease, or stomach ulcers should not take niacin supplements. People with diabetes or gallbladder disease should only do this under the close supervision of their doctor. Stop taking niacin or niacinamide at least 2 weeks before scheduled surgery.
What are the disadvantages of taking niacin?
Many people are unaware that high doses of niacin vitamins can lead to health problems. Some of the common symptoms of excessive niacin intake include headache, fatigue, diarrhea, heartburn, rash, vomiting, blurred vision, drowsiness, peptic ulcers and organic damage.
Conclusion
One of niacin’s jobs is to release prostaglandins, or chemicals that help widen blood vessels, improve blood flow, and lower blood pressure. For this reason, niacin may play a role in preventing or treating high blood pressure (8).
