OK, I know what you’re thinking, “Isn’t Niacin just another vitamin?” And the answer is yes but it’s not to be taken lightly.
It’s not just any other vitamin, it is vitamin B3, which is a very important nutrient as every part of your body needs it to function properly.
In this article, I am going to cover the use of Niacin (Vitamin B3) as a supplement as well as Niacin benefits and side effects.
You have every reason to be curious, Niacin does have great potential but it has risks and potential side effects as well, so please read carefully and do your research!
Niacin Detox: Benefits and side effects
What Happens When You Take Niacin?
A very common side effect of taking Naicine is known as the ‘niacin flush’. It is a typical symptom that occurs 20 – 30 mins after you take it. Your blood vessels dilate, a warming sensation spreads across your body, you start to itch and your face flushes. This is a sign the Niacin is working its magic.
About 30 mins – 1hr in, you begin to experience a warm glowing sensation that can last for about several hours. A bit like the ‘runner’s high’ you get after a gym workout.
After about 1hr+ your mood elevates, the energy goes up and your brain functions better with more clarity.
There are many long term benefits associated with Niacin as well, such as:
- Energy: Niacin is essential in the production of energy in the body. Deficiency causes tiredness and fatigue. 50 – 500 mg daily will give a natural energy boost.
- Arthritis: Studies confirm niacin is better than NSAIDS for arthritis. Moderate arthritis 1,000 to 1,500 mg a day. In more severe cases, as much as 3,000 mg to 4,000 mg have been recommended.
- Cholesterol, Triglycerides + Reversing Heart Disease: Niacin lowers cholesterol more effectively than statins in various studies and also lowers triglycerides. It reduces the blood fats called “very-low-density lipoproteins,” which have been linked to heart disease and cancer. It improves the blood sugar problems that can lead to damage to the arterial walls. It dilates blood vessels, which improves circulation to areas starved of oxygen and nutrients. Recommended 1,000 to 3,000 mg of niacin a day.
- Improves Memory: It can improve memory, and correct some senility problems. Recommended 1,000 mg of niacin taken 3 times a day
- Prevents Hair Loss + Balding: Increases blood flow to the scalp, important in hair growth and reduces the production of DHT linked to balding.
- Insomnia: Niacinamide activates benzodiazepine receptors in the brain, which affects sleep. Dosages of 50 mg to 500mg of niacin that is converted into niacinamide in the body taken at bedtime have helped many people sleep better.
- Cancer: Has the potential to influence DNA repair, genomic stability, and the immune system, eventually having an impact on cancer risk, as well as the side effects of chemotherapy in the cancer patient.
- Acne: Many reports show Niacin can get rid of acne with a daily dose of 400/500 mg.
- Alzheimer’s: Studies have shown that vitamin B3 niacin can help protect against Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related brain disorders that result in cognitive decline.
Niacin Detox: Benefits and Side Effects
L Ron Hubbard was a big advocate of Niacin (Vitamin B3) supplementation during sauna use to enhance the detoxification process. A starting dose of 100mg is ramped up to 1000 – 5000mg towards the end of the program,
In more recent times Dr. David Roo and Dr. George Yu have used niacin and saunas to help detox war veterans from Agent Orange toxicity and 9/11 fighters from toxic debris.
The way niacin works is by mobilizing fat cells to release toxins into the blood where they can be removed by the body. A dose of around 100mg may cause in most people an effect known as the ‘niacin flush’.
This happens because certain doses of niacin cause your blood vessels to dilate and creates a sensation of warmth. This is a sign the detoxification effect of niacin is at its peak and will be most effective. At higher doses, however, the flushing effects will actually fade away.
NMN or nicotinamide mononucleotide a precursor to NAD+ that stimulates DNA repair in cells can mimic the restorative effects of exercise, rejuvenating muscle tissue and other cells. Check out our other article about Niacin and this great Anti-Aging Wonder Drug.
The Renegade Pharmacist’s Personal Experience With Niacin
I have to admit I have become a niacinaholic. I love the stuff. Not everyone can handle the flush, but I absolutely love it. The first time I took it, it was a sudden shock to my system and I freaked out a little bit, as do most people.
But after the intense heat faded, a glowing sensation radiated from my body. I had a clear mind, full of energy and felt warm and fuzzy for the next few hours. The next day I followed a sauna detox ritual that I now do religiously.
After learning more about the power of niacin’s benefits and side effects, this is when I realized it’s true power. Everything got enhanced. My meditation, my level of clarity, and my level of clarity after the experience.
Niacin is my new best friend. I was compelled to read as much as I could about this miraculous vitamin, and the studies were eye-opening.
What concerned me was the fact that there was not a single mention of this extraordinary vitamin during my 4 years of training as a pharmacist.
Then when I qualified, I never heard of niacin’s benefits till very recently. After a couple of months of taking niacin regularly, I went to get a hair cut.
My favorite hairdresser noticed that my hair had grown back a bit on the back of my head that had been thinning quite a lot over the last few years. I was gobsmacked. I then discovered many high-end hair loss treatment centers also use niacin as part of their treatment plan.
I have since recommended niacin to various friends and family and all have reported benefits from taking it too and several have started to take it regularly as I do.
Niacin made me once again believe in the power of high doses of certain vitamins, and perhaps they are not just expensive urine, but something the body craves because our diet has become depleted over many years of mass farming and agriculture.
Hi Niraj, it has been quite a while since we caught up, How do you deal with the quick flush issue. that Niagen has solved with a pricy alternative that is well documented on Amazon. I have been using it for 9 months and it works but is pricey at $50 usd for a months supply. IMHO it could work to stem or reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s. via telomere length extension! renewal.
All the best,
Owen
Hi Niraj Naik thanks for this awesome article. If one buys Niacin how does one find a product that actually causes the flush. I have read that most products are the sort that do not induce a flush? Thank you.
Thank you for this. I love the fact that you are someone who used to “buy into the system” through your vocation, and then discovered that it was BS. So happy for you that you healed yourself and now generously share your wisdom with us. I am a big proponent of not giving your health away to BigPharma and BigMedicine. Whole foods, intermittent fasting, adequate sleep, supplements, meditation and engaging in activities you love I believe have more power to keep you happy and healthy over any medication. Keep up the good work, and thank you! 🙂
Totally agree ~ kudos!
my doctor started me on 500mg. of niacin because my triglycerides were dangerously high- my triglycerides went down from almost 400 to 70!I also noticed my hair quit falling out as much. I take it at night with a baby aspirin and a small amount of food-(spoonful of peanut butter) and I haven’t been bothered by the flushing at all. Sometimes my skin would itch a little but not bad. all in all I think niacin is a winner!
Have been taking 1000mg to 2000mg Of Niacin for high cholesterol as I have a genetic abnormality that causes problems,
30% increase in hdl cholesterol triglycerides are down resting heart rate is down
It’s a wonder vitamin !
Thanks! I have takimg niacin daily for about 6 months now but in low doses. 1 tab in morning and 1 at night (Solal Niacin)
What is your feeling on Kevin Trudeau’s book: Natural Cures “They” Don’t Want You
to Know About? I recently got hold of a copy and plan to read through it. Thx
Thank you for your insight.I have noticed the niacin flush too.I am looking into taking this with other supliments to see how well they work together.
Thank you for this great information, I never realized that niacin has that many benefits.
Is niacin effective for better performance in bed and for hard erections?
It may help as it dilates blood vessels and improves circulation, however I have no direct experience with that!
No, I took 2000 mg a day for several months and it didn’t help in that area at all.
My LDL is high and Triglycerides also, overall my cholesterol is high in the 300’s. i am so thinking of taking niacin tablets . Statins cause me muscle pain so that is out. what dosage would you recommend?
Please read the article, all the info is there: Cholesterol, Triglycerides + Reversing Heart Disease: Recommended 1,000 to 3,000 mg of niacin a day.Niacin lowers cholesterol more effectively than statins in various studies and also lowers triglycerides. It reduces the blood fats called “very low density lipoproteins,” which have been linked to heart disease and cancer. It improves the blood sugar problems that can lead to damage of the arterial walls. It dilates blood vessels, which improves the circulation to areas starved of oxygen and nutrients.
So many things are a coumadin conflict, it may be feasible, with caution, to take a second blood thinner by adding a counterbalancing agent like COQ10 or K-2.
Yes Whole Foods but not from Wholefoods market store ,They are scammers ,Whole foods means grow your own or farmers market,Not a greedy corporation who does not know in reality where their crap comes from.17 year employee
Thank you so much. Please don’t give up.
Please do the research on niacin before making such bold and negative claims. There are absolutely no risks of liver toxicity with pure vitamin b3, the only problems occur if you take the sustained release niacin, which I explain in the article, it has also been used as a detox agent by many respected doctors and clinics around the world. Read up on Dr. Andrew Saul’s new book, Niacin: The Real Story is co-written with Abram Hoffer M.D., Ph.D
Excellent. I’ve been taking 100 mgs a night with melatonin and valerian capsules as a bed time regimen…..so far so good. What is interesting is I will sometimes get ‘the flush’ and other times barely notice one. Ive not felt a need to up the dose as of yet….seems like a good maintenance dose for me. Thanks!
I am using Niacinamide for my son. 3 g divided in 3 times per day. It has a calming effect. What is your opinion of Niacinamide vs niacin?
Pure niacin that gives you the flush is the best for therapeutic effects
use it great cholesterol now normal with more energy I’m 77
Dr had me on cholestrol pills 15 yrs
till brother said try niacin
try it don’t mind the hot flush very cheap at costco
take 500m 3 times a week
i buy 500 mg 500 tablets
Hello! Anyone used Niacin to treat depression? Any feedback would me much appreciated. Thanks!
Thank you for the article! Can you take niacin while taking levothyroxine?
Yes, but always check with your doctor first.
I am suffering from sleep over 37 years have tried everror now on have started taking 500 mg x 2 tabs everyday will this help pla
Test it and see how you feel.
I have high cholesterol and triglycerides. I just tried my first dose of Niacin from NOW. I opened the 500 mg capsule and took a little for my first dose. Right away I felt the flush!!! On may face and strangely on my rear end cheecks! How embarrassing ?. I was glad to read your above report. Thank you for this!!
May we all be blessed with health
For years,I have been taking 500 mg. of Niacin daily for high cholesterol. Recently my physician said that there is new evidence that it is detrimental to the heart, rather than being helpful. When I asked her who did the research (Was itt the company who produces Lipitor?) she did not know and asked me to do that research for myself. I haven’t been able to find anything. Does anyone know of this research and who produced it? Where can I find information on time release niacin. I cannot locate your article. Thanks.
I have not read that before. The form of niacin if sustained release can be harmful to the liver. You should take only full flush niacin.
Wow… she left it without producing facts… No creditability…
Agreed. The person reporting information is just the person reporting information. Facts are facts.
What is the problem using sustained release naicin?
It can affect liver function.
If taking niacin at any dose 100mg or even working up to 1000mg B3 daily, do you feel the need to take binders? Like charcoal or Bentonyte Clay.
My husband would be taking it for high cholesterol and triglycerides and somewhat elevated sugar. I would be taking it to remove toxins in general and help with memory issues.
I’m familiar with Ron Hubbards protocol- but I am not interested in doing that full protocol.
Thank you.
I want to begin using niacin, but I think I am confused by the detox portion. Does niacin detox the system every time it is used where I would need to do the sauna and charcoal step in order to absorb all of the released toxins? Or is it still safe to take niacin on a daily basis without the charcoal?
I have no word to explane yourheart is great open so big and pious pure and your mind You have a sprit that can sustain the whole world other people problem. full of virtuies you do not need blessing you are blessed so much that world can sustain in you
thank you for this article, I have a question: do you know if the no-flush type niacin has the same effects as regular type? I suppose the flushes are important for the detoxification effect?
Is it right to use niacin while on regular anti hypertensive?
Many top lipid doctors say that it causes insulin resistance and although in theory can lower APO B, in actuality it doesn’t. There are studies on cholesterol that showed anything statistically significant except the negative effects of it at such high doses. See Tom Dayspring for more on this. Can be very dangerous to suggest these therapeutic benefits without the research. Research is not statistically significant to prove any of these claims you made
Using it about 2000 mg every night, love the flush and all the benefits! My husband’s cholesterol came down from 6,8 to 4,6 and sleeps well, hair growth and skin improved dramatically. My son 11, takes 4x daily, helps with immunity, ADD, better sleep, more focus and concentration (together with vit C, zinc, magnesium glycinate, Brahmi)????????
Want to try niacin to help manage high blood pressure, but I take Uloric for gout and read niacin will aggravate gout. Your thoughts? I hate BP meds and the way they mess up the endocrine system. Thank you.
Is there an optimal time of day to take niacin? I’m 39, cholesterol just slightly high and trying to improve that as well as energy levels. Would I be better off taking 500 mg 2 x daily, or all in one dose? Also, is it better to take daily or every other day, etc?
I take 500 mg. of Niacin 3 times daily after each meal. You’ll get much more of a flush if you take it on an empty stomach. The reason more people don’t take Niacin is that they can’t get through the flush the first few times. It’s pretty bad at first—you feel like you’re burning up and itching all over like crazy! But if you stay with it for about 3 weeks–you start getting addicted to that flush & enjoying it! The itching pretty much stops. I know that sounds strange when it feels so uncomfortable at first, but it’s true, and I notice others who use it regularly have mentioned it. I love the flush feeling now. I will never stop taking it. One thing I noticed since I started taking it is I never gain weight–no matter what I eat! I spent December pigging out on all kinds of cake & pies & candy during the holidays—no exercise, and I actually lost 1 lb! It really doesn’t make you lose weight, but if you can diet & get to the weight you want to be–it’ll keep you from gaining it again! Not sure why, but it has worked that way for me ever since I started it. I started taking it to bring cholesterol levels down, and it has worked for that, too!
Thanks for this excellent and well organized post! Niacin is wonderful.
For the skepticals… read, study, do your own research. Stop taking toxic pills and focus on nutrients, good nutrition and healthy life style, there are not magic pills.