Thoughts on Niacin???

Rdsgoal16
Rdsgoal16 Posts: 302 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Have a few guys at work that are fitness freaks. a week ago in one of our discussions I noticed one of them taking his vitamins, discussion ensued and two of them take niacin. It is supposed to increase good cholesterol. I started taking the 100mg once a day (flushing kind) and kinda like the flush it gives (weird I know). Just wanted some of the experts thoughts.
Rob

Replies

  • ultrahoon
    ultrahoon Posts: 467 Member
    My thoughts would be I will take a vitamin the day a blood test tells me I am lacking in something.
  • Rdsgoal16
    Rdsgoal16 Posts: 302 Member
    edited December 2015
    ultrahoon wrote: »
    My thoughts would be I will take a vitamin the day a blood test tells me I am lacking in something.

    Probably a good rule of thumb, the doc said I was way low on D, started that....

  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    Niacin is one of the B-vitamins. It is found readily in whole grains, enriched white flour products, and multivitamins. I don't see how taking extra would be beneficial, barring some sort of medical issue. (And I've never before heard of it increasing good cholesterol. Proper overall diet and exercise will do that, anyway).

    It is a water-soluble vitamin, so there's probably not much risk of toxicity. But he's probably just creating really expensive pee. :naughty:
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    My husband took it paired with his cholesterol meds as directed by his doctor. The flush (which was actually more like fire) was enough for him to ask for a different medication.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    I have never had a single thought about niacin

    :)
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Just to show how little they teach about vitamins in med school, I had a doctor friend not know what was causing her flush until I clued her in.

    I don't like the flush. These brands don't cause it for me:
    Garden of Life, Vitamin Code, Raw B-Complex, 120 Vegan Caps
    Country Life, Gluten Free, Coenzyme B-Complex Caps, 120 Veggie Caps
  • MorganMoreaux
    MorganMoreaux Posts: 691 Member
    +1 for the Garden of Life Raw B-Complex. I take it daily and have never had issues.
  • robs_ready
    robs_ready Posts: 1,488 Member
    It'a water soluble so any excess would be a waste
  • Yi5hedr3
    Yi5hedr3 Posts: 2,696 Member
    That much can be hard on the Liver. Not good.
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    Rdsgoal16 wrote: »
    Have a few guys at work that are fitness freaks. a week ago in one of our discussions I noticed one of them taking his vitamins, discussion ensued and two of them take niacin. It is supposed to increase good cholesterol. I started taking the 100mg once a day (flushing kind) and kinda like the flush it gives (weird I know). Just wanted some of the experts thoughts.
    Rob

    If you were to use niacin to have benefits to cholesterol levels, 100 mg would not help. The problem with niacin is that to start seeing your good cholesterol rise, you need to get a dosage that can have very serious amd possibly irreversible side effects. Which is why it is not something you can experiment with on your own.
    If you are just worried about a deficiency, you need to check with your dr, because it would mean there is an underlying health issue. Niacin deficiency because of poor nutrition is not very likely.
  • CalorieCountChocula
    CalorieCountChocula Posts: 239 Member
    It's no Vitamin A but it's OK I guess.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    I tried it for a short while because I read it might be "good for me" and I broke out in the flush, very much like hives. Stopped taking it.

    http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/nutrition/niacin/overview.html
  • vismal
    vismal Posts: 2,463 Member
    Niacin is prescribed by doctors sometimes as a measure to reduce cholesterol. If you have hyperlipidemia, you can ask your doctor about taking niacin either along with or in place of other cholesterol medications. I'm not certain but I feel like 100mg is underdosed for that purpose, but again, your doctor would be responsible for setting the dose. As for taking it on your own as a precautionary or preventative measure, I am not aware of any research supporting that.
  • daniwilford
    daniwilford Posts: 1,030 Member
    It really is not that effective for cholesterol as compared to Statin drugs. Niacin dosage high enough to impact blood cholesterol levels has more side effects and toxicity then the more effective Statins.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited December 2015
    This content has been removed.
  • daniwilford
    daniwilford Posts: 1,030 Member
    Mayo Clinic says: taking too much over-the-counter or prescription niacin can be dangerous.

    Niacin overdose signs and symptoms include:

    Severe skin flushing combined with dizziness
    Rapid heartbeat
    Itching
    Nausea and vomiting
    Abdominal pain
    Diarrhea
    Gout
    If you think you may have overdosed, seek medical attention immediately.

    Because niacin has also been linked to liver damage and stroke, most doctors now recommend it only for people who can't take statins to treat high triglyceride levels. If you're concerned about taking niacin, talk to your doctor.

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