Overdosing on Niacin: Side Effects, Toxicity, Symptoms, Poisoning
I promised to write one column about the side effects of vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B3 (niacin, niacinamide), vitamin C, and vitamin D (cholecalciferol). Deficiency in these four vitamins causes beri beri, pellagra, scurvy, and rickets respectively. I started with vitamin D because it causes the most problems. Vitamin B3 (niacin, niacinamide) is second because it is the most troublesome.
The situation with niacin is what it is. The Food and Nutrition Board has set the RDA for niacin at 20 mg/day and the upper safe limit (UL) at 35 mg/day. This is far and away the closest for the four most important nutrients. At the same time, niacin is the only vitamin embraced by mainstream medicine. It is used to treat high cholesterol. Heart doctors prescribe 2000 mg/day niacin for this purpose – more than 50 times the UL. Are we supposed to believe that some people can take 2000 mg/day with no problems and others have to both make sure that they get 20 mg/day (the RDA) without exceeding the UL of 35 mg/day? Oddly enough, the answer to this question is yes.
Niacin is famous for causing flushing. Rapid absorption of as little as 35 mg of niacin (think 35 mg of niacin with a hot coffee on an empty stomach first thing in the morning) can cause flushing. The duration and severity of flushing is proportional to the dose. A severe flush can be fearfully painful – an unforgettable experience. A mild flush could possibly be described as a pleasant experience by an unusual person – a feeling of warmth accompanied by tingling. Here is a fairly comprehensive list of other side effects listed by authorities:
Itchy feeling spots on the skin (skin looks perfectly normal upon inspection)
Dry feeling spots on the skin (skin looks perfectly normal upon inspection)
Fainting
Rapid heartbeat
Low blood pressure
Nausea
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Ulcers
Liver malfunction
Nervousness
Panic
Anxiety
Headache
Tooth pain
Gum pain
Decreased Thyroid function
Blurred vision
Lazy eye
I read this information and was well aware of the side effects before I started taking niacin. The information was useful, but lacking in many important details. So, once again, from here on the story is based on my personal experience. It will take time to tell how relevant my experiences have been.
I’ve been taking niacin and reacting to niacin side effects for 12 years. Here are side effects I believe were caused by niacin that I experienced and aren’t on the list above:
Euphoria
Talkativeness
Excitability
Sleeplessness
Restless legs
Early on, I was taking over 1000 mg/day of niacin and feeling great. Then one day, for no obvious reason, after months supplementing near 1000 mg/day, nausea started in the morning right after I took my daily supplement. The nausea intensified throughout the morning until it became disabling. I ended up home and in bed. There, the nausea further intensified until it became agonizing. Finally, over the course of an hour or two, I vomited several times. The vomiting ended with a bright yellow fluid that I suspect is bile. When my wife was niacin poisoned, she also vomited this yellow fluid. I believe it is characteristic of the vomiting caused by niacin. One day I was taking regular doses of niacin and feeling fine, and the next day I was deathly ill. Once the vomiting was over, my recovery was astonishingly rapid. I was back to work feeling well the next day. I told my boss I had a 24-hour stomach bug. Despite great care, this happened to me two more times while taking regular doses of 500 to 1000 mg/day of niacin.
In recent years, I’ve been taking 100 to 1000 mg/day of niacin for several days in a row in short, intermittent bursts separated by weeks and months with mostly none interspersed with several days in the 60 to 125 mg/day range. When I do take it, I like to take the 60-120 mg/day dose of straight release niacin first thing in the morning with a cup of hot coffee on an empty stomach. That way I get the strongest possible reaction. I typically get a very mild flush that, to me, feels good. Less frequently I experience nothing or a severe flush. Rarely, I have experienced a 5 to 15 minute bout of intense nausea along with a severe flush.
In recent years, niacin reliably accelerates my heart rate and makes me less inhibited. I have trouble falling asleep. These effects last for about 24 hours.
On average, as the years have passed, I have been taking less and less niacin and experience a wider range of side effects at a wider range of severities. My testimony directly contradicts the common claim that niacin side effects dissipate with time. It’s not just me. I persuaded friends and family members to start taking niacin at 250 to 500 mg/day doses. Today, many of them have quit taking niacin supplements because of side effects. At the same time, I know several are taking 1000 mg/day niacin to control cholesterol and reporting no problems with side effects.
In summary, the list of niacin side effects is long. The list is so long that I recommend that anyone taking niacin stop taking it for 3 to 7 days at least once/year just to see if niacin is causing any trouble. Stopping for such a short time is not known to do any harm, and symptoms assumed to be a result of aging may actually be niacin side effects. I’ve taken 500 mg/day for several days with no side effects and have taken a single 60 mg dose that’s ruined most of a day. So, in my experience not only have I found that niacin tolerance varies widely from person to person, I’ve found that niacin tolerance in individuals varies widely. As a result, I’ve found niacin to be the hardest to use of the four vitamins associated with deficiency diseases.
posted by Steve @ 8:35 PM
40 comments
40 Comments:
I have been taking 2000 mg niacin for about 5 years. I have told several doctors and they do not object to this dose. However I always take Vitamin C with niacin. I usually take two doses a day: 1000 mg Niacin and 2000 mg of Vitamin C. All of my liver tests have been normal. I usually take the first dose just before going to sleep along with a glass of water. I awake in the middle of night and take the other dose along with another glass of water.
When I first took the niacin and Vitamin C, I had the classic flushing symptoms. But after a few days, it has mostly disappeared. I use to have severe hay fevers complete with allergy shots and prescription drugs. Since taking the niacin my allergy symptoms are greatly reduced and I do not take shots or prescription drugs. I still have allergy symptoms but they are greatly reduced.
If my stomach is upset at night, I do not take the niacin and Vitamin C. But this only happens a few days out of the year.
I decided to take niacin after reading about Dr Hoffer use for various diseases. Here is the link:
http://doctoryourself.com/hoffer_niacin.html
Dear Anonymous,
Thanks for posting a comment. I'm glad that your doctors do not object to your dose of 2000 mg/day of niacin. They should not. It is the prescribed dose for controlling cholesterol.
I'm glad that you can take 2000 mg/day without side effects, and that this treatment has helped you to control your allergies.
Finally, I'm glad that you take vitamin C and niacin together.
Thanks also for the link to Dr. Hoffer's writings at Dr. Saul's website. I have studied most everything they have written, and am always on the lookout for what comes next. You can see from the doctoryourself.com website that Dr. Saul has just published two new books. I'm looking forward to reading them.
I had a heart attack in 1993 and a triple bypass op in 1994, using the same incision route as my 1987 quad bypass surgery. At times prior, my cholesterol had been measured as high as 458 and triglycerides at 900+.
I have been taking 1 gram of niacin fast release 3 times a day since 1994. I also take 2 x 1 gram of C each day, along with some more benign supplements.
The only identifiable side effect has been a momentary flushing shortly after taking the niacin. The flushing period is only a short time and missing completely if I am working or exercising.
I am seeing a cardiologist twice a year for blood tests and take prescription Zocor. My HDLs typically are 75 and LDLs around 30. So I assume I am lucky - minimal side effects and great results. The only problem is finding the fast release niacin. The stores I have checked recently have only non-flush niacin, which has a significantly higher hepatic complication side effect. I may be forced into the slow release kind because I can't find the good stuff.
I would like to know what "symptons confused with aging." I have been on niacin (500-1000 mg daily) and seem to have developed neuropathy in my extremities.
Thank you,
Also anonymous
I came to this blog because I've just started taking Niacin (started at 100mg/ twice a day and have increased to 200mg/twice a day) and I too have noticed such a severe decrease in my allergies that I've stopped taking my over the counter allergy medication.
Based on the cost of niacin to otc allergy medication I'll happily deal with the 30 min flush I get from the niacin (which incedently men is supposed to help stimulate hair growth).
Thank you for your information. I just took my first dose of 100 mg about 45 minutes ago and the intense itching is starting to subside. I was about to jump into the cold shower to get rid of the feeling but took the dog out for a walk instead to get my mind off of it. I am to take this dose 3 times a day for 4 days and then increase every 4 days up to 500 mg 3 times a day. My mother could not tolerate niacin and I am hoping to "stick it out" as my liver enzymes were elevated with statins and cholesterol and triglycerides are way up. Your information encourages me to think that I can get through the side effects with a little patients and I will try the aspirin. Has anyone tried to use Benadryl for the itching?
Virginiac,
Thanks for stopping by with your comments. I believe most people can maintain good health without suffering any vitamin side effects. Niacin alone is not the best way to solve your problems with cholesterol and triglycerides. You should also be getting optimal doses of vitamin D (lots of sunshine), 2000 mg vitamin C per day in the morning and evening (4000 total), and 100 mg/day of thiamine in the morning and evening (200 mg/day). Since niacin is bothering you, why not use the lower dose I recommend and add in the other three?
I am going to try that (vitamins C,D and thiamine)because I have now had two episodes of intense (and I mean intense) head-to-toe beet red niacin flush on 100 mg three times a day. Tomorrow I am supposed to increase to 200 mg three times a day. It is so intense that I don't know if I can take it much longer.
Virginiac,
Thanks so much for returning to share your experiences. I am very sorry that the medical profession is not more flexible. I don't know why they insist on such high doses despite side effects and then switch to 100% statins and quit niacin altogether if the high dose doesn't work out.
If the four vitamin combination doesn't get your lipid levels into the range of normal, I recommend adding a statin to the vitamins. Adding a statin drug to the vitamins will lead to further improvements if the vitamins alone are unable to get the job done. Keep on coming back to update the blog on your progress.
Thanks again,
Steve
Thanks Steve for your encouragement. As it turns out, I happen to work in the medical field and I know how rigid they can be with the protocols. I wound up asking the doctor to take me off of Niacin as I could no longer handle the side effects and am now taking gemfibrozil and fish oil supplementation. I know that there are some people who have been able to lower there lipids dramatically with niacin supplementation, unfortunately I am not one of them. Good luck to all of you out there. Stay healthy!
Virginia
Dear Virginiac,
Thanks for stopping back. It is highly likely that the troubles you are having maintaining blood levels of important lipids within the normal range is due to a deficiency of vitamin C, vitamin D, niacin, and/or thiamine. I strongly recommend that you get all four of these vitamins. The doses I recommend for starters are at the upper limits set by the food and nutrition board. 95% of the population manages these doses without side effects. These are: 100 mg of thiamine twice per day, 2000 mg of vitamin C twice per day, 250 mg time release niacin two or three tablets per week (the time release is very important. Do not take straight release). Vitamin D should be gotten primarily from the sun. Full body exposure for just a few minutes between 11 am and 3 pm most days the sun is out works wonders.
I am relatively new to niacin for cholesterol control; I have tried Zocor (became really incontinent, bloated...) then tried Lipitor 20 mgs a day tolerated it for 2 months(got some headaches and headaches on one side of the face a nd head later found out were migraines and lastly nose drains it was like I had a mucus hose attached to the inside of my nose)Now I tried Niacin 500 mg 2 times a day for the last 3 months, stopped this morning after a couple of days very uncomfortable; this morning at 4 am got out of bed with very hard chest pains and back, arms, worst the left and some breathing problems...
I am hoping is the Niacin.
How very interesting that I have ran across this blog. I was searching for information on Niacin and what effects it has on kidneys and ....well, Here I am!
My Dr. initially started me on 500mg of the -Flush Free Niacin- due to my triglycerides are high. I have taken that dosage for 3 months and returned to have my blood rechecked. My labs came back the same everything was normal except--- now my triglycerides went up higher.
It seems like I get a pain in my lower back on the right side now that my dosage of Niacin has been moved to 1000mg (I take it at night, prior to bed, per my Dr.orders) Have you ever noticed something similiar?
Thanks for the info. I started taking niacin (100mg), for chronic treatment resistant-depression. It is the only thing that seems to help(all other anti-d's have failed or been too intolerable), and I can't quite believe it works though my partner assures me I am dramatically different. I had played around with food/etc thinking I had got the combination right (taking it on a full stomach at lunchtime, with a glass of cold water and avoiding anything hot, and especially chilli, or red wine then stupidly I had it before I had a bath and ended up staggering to the bathroom, vomiting (the same yellow bile you mention) getting diarrorhea and passing out,whilst having incredible sweats. It was worse than my many episodes sick with stomach bugs in Thailand; so I stopped it.
Yesterday I started again, and my mood and energy improved dramatically, and if it is placebo, it's doing one hell of a job. Thanks for the info, because it sounds at this dosage I shouldn't be too concerned.
Thanks.
Dear Anonymous,
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your experiences using niacin as an anti-depressant. Depression is a major problem and is difficult to treat. The nervous system depends upon vitamin C, vitamin D, niacin, and thiamine. You may want to consider adding vitamin D, vitamin C, and thiamine to the niacin you are already taking. Especially important is a form of vitamin B1 called TTFD. It's hard to find but well worth the effort.
I was especially moved by your side effect story - vomiting caused by rapid absorption of just 100 mg of niacin. This is a remarkably low dose. I totally believe it since a 100 mg dose on a cup of hot coffee and empty stomach recently had me lying on the floor moaning from the intense nausea. Happily I recovered in about 30 minutes and did not vomit.
I usually don’t post in Blogs but your blog forced me to, amazing work.. beautiful …
rH3uYcBX
I had to laugh out loud when I read about you taking your morning dose with coffee on an empty stomach for the 'full effect'. I also do the same thing (I take 500mg of instant release niacin a day, at one time). I get a furious flush, a bit of sting and often the itch. The itch I can do without, but I live for the 'flush', the instant mood and energy boost and the occasional euphoria. I also have depression and bipolar (I think the niacin can trigger slight hypomania, which is fine by me because hypomania=I can take on the world). My triglycerides dropped 70 whole points after a couple months, my total cholesterol dropped from 250-260 range, fasting, down to 215. My LDL didn't improve an awful lot and is still high, but my HDL raised so that my HDL/LDL ratio is finally normal.
I was wondering: Is it abnormal to develop skin abnormalities from taking niacin? I have three red bumps on my left hand, about the same circumference as a cocktail drinking straw opeing. They are almost perfectly round and started out feeling like a pimple that never quite comes to a head. Now they are painless (had them from 7-10 days now), flattening and slightly shiny on top.
From what I've read about niacin, it increases blood flow to the capillaries of the skin, which is what causes the flush. Perhaps this causes the skin, an excretory organ, to flush out impurities from the body? Who knows... just a thought I'd put out there.
Thanks for sharing your experiences and many warm, glowy, happy flushes to you! xD
Christine
Christine,
Fantastic comments!
I hope your red bumps are gone. They are not a reported niacin side effect. If they are a side effect, they will come and go in response to niacin dosage. Please let me know if withdrawing niacin causes bumps to disappear and restarting niacin causes them to reappear.
Since you liked this column, I hope you'll read my other columns and add sunshine (vitamin D), vitamin C, and thiamine to your daily routine.
Thanks again,
Steve
I have been on niacin therapy for over 2 years increasing the dosage to 2,000 mg 5 months ago. I have experienced the red bumps which I come to see are a dense thickening of the skin that are itchy. I tolerate rash on my legs, forearms and hands that at times is very uncomfortable. My HDL has been in the range of 49 - 53, my overal cholesterol began at about 293 and last reading 5 months ago was 233. I asked my physician if I could increase the doage to 2,000 mg to see if that would lower the LDL which is still over 200. Triglicerides are around 150. My skin is very dry and I use a lot of vaseline and moisturizers to control the itching which has been moderately successful. I will have my blood checked in a few weeks to see if things have improved. In addition to niacin I also grind flax seeds (6 Tablespoons)and make a pudding of it with 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, 2 teaspoons cinnamon and 1 healthy Tablespoon of honey, I also take 50 to 100 mg of CoQ10 and fish oil daily , eat no animal proteins or dairy, I occassionally choose to eat refined sugar but it is not a treat I allow myself with any regularlity as it suppresses the immune system, I make every effort to eat unprocessed food, whole foods are the best, I stay away from fried foods, only once in a while will I splurge on scallops that are deep fried or french fries. All of these efforts have been consistently used and I am still experiencing high LDL levels that my physician advises are dangerously high. If my blood work does not show improvement at the 2000 mg of niacin a day I plan to discontinue its use and try plant sterols maintaining all the other protocols I have mentioned.
Calabash Gal,
Also a fantastic comment.
I admire your willingness to tolerate niacin side effects.
Regardless of how you choose to proceed, you can also consider working to optimize vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin A, and thiamine intake. I've written extensively about vitamin D, vitamin C, and thiamine. I haven't written much about vitamin A yet - I'm working on it.
Good luck and please keep in touch to let us know how you're doing.
Steve
Wow, I'm so happy to have found this blog! Hahahahaha! I market and sell an energy drink called Xs, which I knew had a little bit of niacin in it but didn't think too much of it until today! One of my co-workers said, "Jenny, isn't that your fifth Xs today?!! You had four yesterday!" and the other knew about the niacin and the funny red, itchy reaction my brother had to it MONTHS ago after drinking two. I had been having crazy itching!!! On my arms, thighs, and legs and also those bumps!!! "Like pimples" it is so irritating and I was so worried it was something else but I couldn't figure out what!! I feel like such a dork now, but this blog and people's responses have been helpful!
I tried 1000 mg of niacin last night for the 1st time. Had very bad flushing which felt like bad sunburn. Had to ice my skin with an icepack to tolerate the sensation.
But, I also had swelling under my eyes, big bags, like an allergic reaction.
Today, I feel like I had been hit by a train. Very low energy and something just doesn't feel right.
The whole episode lasted a couple of hours (though the swelling under the eys lasted much longer) and then even though the other syptoms subsided, I just feel exhausted and "beat up".
Has anyone else had these sort of reactions besides the flushing?
Can this mean that I am pehraps allergic to niacin?
Should I even attempt to take another dose today?
Frankly I am scared to try it.
Dear Anonymous,
Other people have had similar reactions to niacin.
1000 mg is a large dose. I recommend 250 mg of time release niacin and I stress that it is critical to get the time release tablets.
I hope that you took ordinary niacin (not time release). Plain niacin at 1000 mg causes bad flushing in almost everyone.
So - provided your initial experience was with 1000 mg of niacin, I recommend that you go out and get 250 mg time release niacin tablets and try one a day.
Steve
Today I took niacin 250 and after a few minutes my whole body was red and burning. Is this normal for someone whom is taking the pill. Should I discontinue this pill. I am very scared to take it again. Please advice.
I have being taking 1000 and 2000 mg of niacin for over 8 years, at first i was getting flush which was not to bad,talked to my dr, and he told me my body woul get amune to it and it did, another cure for flush is ababy asprine 81 mg 30 minutes before and that works very well.verify with your dr.
Alfred,
Thanks for your comment. I'm glad you've been able to tolerate 1000 to 2000 IU of niacin for over eight years.
Forgive me for making assumptions, but I assume that you have significant health problems to motivate you to take so much niacin. Please consider adding sunshine, thiamine, vitamin C, and vitamin A to your supplement program. Just type cforyourself thiamine (or vitamin C, or vitamin D) to find other blog items I've written.
Steve
I have been directed to take 1000mg on a daily basis of Niacin for cholesterol maintenance . To avoid the flushing and hot flash I have been taking an adult Aspirin about 1 hour before the Niacin usually around bedtime. This seems to work fairly good for me.
I hope the author of this blog will read the paper I wrote on "Allergies and Schizoophrenia: Immune System Starvation?" published December 1981 in Dr. Abram Hoffer's magazine, Orthomolecular Psychiatry, now called Orthonolecular Medicine. The article is available online.
There appeared to be a negative correlation between allergies and some mental disturbances.
The subject of this study found allergies decreasing or eliminated with high dosage niaciin use. The study was terninated because of questions of heart function. However, the subject later resumed niacin use and was finally competely free of allergies, including asthma, hayfever and eczema. Type I atopic allergies.
Niacin dosage as needed went as high as 9 grams a day, but uaually much less.
Suspected but not proven: (1) Niacin elevates prostaglandins, especially prostaglandin E, a potent broncodilator. Other PGs may cause the elevated liver enzymes, and possibly aspirin, which suppresses some PGs, might alleviate this effect.
(2) IgE is the only immunoglobulin which does not require Complement for its function. Therefore if Complement is depleted, the body may try to use IgE to cope with allergens. Thus, what we call "hay fever." (It would be one of the higher numbered conplement compoonents.)
The trick to using niacin is to start low and slow. Don't raise the dose until you no longer get a flush at that level, Then go up just a little, maybe from 50 to 100 mgs, etc. The niacin is clearing out cholesterol, that's what causes the flush.
Peg MacPherson Lamkin
brinwood@chibardun.net
I have been taking 500mg-1000mg of time release niacin for the last three months to try and raise my HDL levels which have been under 40 the last two times I have had blood work. A few times I have had some nasty "flushing" episodes but I have gotten used to it now. I usually take a 500mg in the morning and one before going to sleep. I am glad I found this blog as I will try supplementing with vitamin C.
I have been taking 500 mg niacin in the morning and another 500 mg at bedtime instead of niaspan (which can be very expensive even with my rx prescription coverage).
I've been taking this dosage for about two months and now I have developed a dry cough. I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem, it is the only change in my meds for some time.
After discovering Dr. Hoffer online. I took my first ever dose of Niacin 500mg by the company Major, ( which are not time release). I thought I'd start with 500mg Niacin and twice that in Vitamin C at 1000mg. I experienced a very mild flushing, almost undetectable. I did enjoy the flushing experience . I may increase to 1000mg Niacin/2000mg Vitamin C. Maybe break up doses twice a day. Morning and evening? I believe the reason for flushing may be how toxic a person may be. My daily diet consists of organic raw (not cooked) greens such as kale, celery, bell peppers, broc., etc. brown rice, take probiotics, no junk food. no dairy, no gluten/wheat, no sugar, little to no coffee, and absolutely no processed foods. Nutrition has a lot to with well being period. I am a years into this lifestyle and will say I have not had a cold or flu in five years plus look many years younger, plus energy. I have suffered from occasional anxiety, etc. from my intense work load which is how I discovered niacin online articles. After a single dose I felt 100% mental calmness and rested easily. I am excited to report the news as the evenings I usually dwell on my days events, etc. Thanks.
I've been taking 1000mg of Slo-Niacin (time release) every day for a year for cholesterol. This week on my doctor's suggestion I upped the dosage to 1500mg. Not sure if this is related, but starting last night I've had severe vomiting. I've always been concerned about liver toxicity and have my liver enzymes checked annually. They've been normal so far (most recent test was 2 weeks ago). I think I am going to stop the niacin for a few days and once I am feeling ok, go back to the two 500mg pills/day regimen (instead of 3).
I've read many of the posts and I'm glad to have stumbled upon this blog. I have just 'reached' the 1000mg per day level by taking 500mg 2x pr day. I have been experimenting with niacin at various levels for the past 6 months after reading about it's ability to raise HDL levels. I started 5 or 6 years ago on lipitor (statin) and that brought my total chol. Down frm 230's to 170's. The HDL was down in lower 40's to upper 30' however and I would like very low cholesterol because I read that is when any arterial deposits start to get cleared out and reabsorbed. My last blood work just a few weeks ago had total HDL of 157, LDL 70 or 80 or somewhere around there and HDL 42. So that was with smaller very sporadic doses. I was not taking any for a few weeks before the test. I will try to maintain 1000 and maybe more for next 6 months and see what next blood work shows. One thing though, I read that vitamin C counters the cholesterol lowering/HDL raising effect of niacin??
I've read many of the posts and I'm glad to have stumbled upon this blog. I have just 'reached' the 1000mg per day level by taking 500mg 2x pr day. I have been experimenting with niacin at various levels for the past 6 months after reading about it's ability to raise HDL levels. I started 5 or 6 years ago on lipitor (statin) and that brought my total chol. Down frm 230's to 170's. The HDL was down in lower 40's to upper 30' however and I would like very low cholesterol because I read that is when any arterial deposits start to get cleared out and reabsorbed. My last blood work just a few weeks ago had total HDL of 157, LDL 70 or 80 or somewhere around there and HDL 42. So that was with smaller very sporadic doses. I was not taking any for a few weeks before the test. I will try to maintain 1000 and maybe more for next 6 months and see what next blood work shows. One thing though, I read that vitamin C counters the cholesterol lowering/HDL raising effect of niacin??
I have taken 500mg niacin on and off for the last six months together wih 40mg simvisatain.
Three months back I started a sever left sided chest pain. When I stopped the statin the pain abated so I blamed the statin.
However, today when I took niacin, after a months break, the pain returned within 5 mins of taking the niacin !!
A hot water bottle helped to reduce the pain. BUT tomorrow I'll halve the niacin dosage, and report yhe result.
Hey mate, nice blog.
Im currently taking 500MG Niacin with Flush everyday. Everything is fine, just finished 1 month taking niacin.
My only concern is the liver problem as it can cause quite some damage. But people like you have taken it for god knows along time but had the 'normal' side effects.
Im just worried about the side effect after reading this. I am currently 18 years old. I take Niacin as it boost my energy everyday and the flush feels great!
Any advice if I should be worried about the liver problem?
Source: http://www.ehow.com/about_5106009_niacin-side-effects-liver.html
Hey mate, nice blog.
Im currently taking 500MG Niacin with Flush everyday. Everything is fine, just finished 1 month taking niacin.
My only concern is the liver problem as it can cause quite some damage. But people like you have taken it for god knows along time but had the 'normal' side effects.
Im just worried about the side effect after reading this. I am currently 18 years old. I take Niacin as it boost my energy everyday and the flush feels great!
Any advice if I should be worried about the liver problem?
Source: http://www.ehow.com/about_5106009_niacin-side-effects-liver.html
Mr. Philo,
Niacin side effects, even liver damage, respond quickly when niacin supplementation is stopped. A full recovery is the expected outcome. So - you can go ahead and use the niacin without any fear of serious harm.
The problem is that niacin side effects can sneak up on you after months or even years of supplementation without side effects. I recommend a niacin fast (5 days without supplements) at least once per year. If niacin is the cause of any discomfort, the discomfort will fade during the fast and then return immediately when niacin is reintroduced.
Niacin is fantastically powerful. I'm really glad you are using it and doctoring yourself.
Don't hesitate to return and ask questions.
Steve
Steve,
With all due respect, are you a doctor, M.D. or N.D., or do you have any degree in nutritional counseling?
I ask this because some of your advice is just beyond the pale, and frankly, incredibly naive. You imply that only vitamins affect the nervous system...
"The nervous system depends upon vitamin C, vitamin D, niacin, and thiamine."
...leaving out b2, b5, b6, folate (not folic acid) and b12, among just some of the other co-factors.
In fact this entire posts reflects the fact that no one should be taking such astronomically high doses of niacin or niacinamide.
These aren't "side effects", they're EFFECTS.
Dear Anonymous,
I'm mortified that I have written posts that are being interpreted to mean that I believe that only vitamins affect the nervous system. I'm going to go through my posts and work to edit them to be more clear - starting with the sentence you quoted. For sure the other vitamins are awesome.
Indeed, this post on side effects highlights the downsides of extra niacin/niacinamide. Over the last couple of months, my tolerance for niacin has risen again and I'm back on a steady diet of 100 to 300 mg/day. I wouldn't be surprised if I'm stung by bad effects again. In the meantime, I'm happy with what I perceive to be good effects.
Regarding my credentials, what difference does it make? Would you think more highly of my blogs if I told you I was a Harvard M.D. with Ph.D's in both medicine and nutrition? I doubt it. I don't want readers to judge me, or what I have to say. I want them to get into the sunshine to try getting extra vitamin D, and I want them to take vitamin C, niacin, and vitamin B1 and get back to me with data.
Thanks for your comment,
Steve
Post a Comment
<< Home