The
affectivity of high doses of Niacin in treating a wide variety of conditions
cannot be stressed further. However, you should know that intake of large
amounts of this vitamin can lead to niacin side effects which may not always be
desirable.
Normal Niacin Side Effects
Niacin
and Flushing. Perhaps the most notable niacin
side effect is flushing. Intake of relatively large doses of niacin (75 mg and
up) results to the dilation of the blood vessels leading to this normal
occurrence of "niacin flushing." This phase usually lasts about 20 to
30 minutes. Different people have different niacin thresholds. For example,
taking 50 mg might cause you to flush while it can take about 100 mg to cause
someone else to start flushing.
Itching and Rashes. This flushing may occasionally be coupled with niacin
itching and niacin rashes. It is important to note that these reactions to
niacin are normal and should not cause you to worry.
Lessening the Flushing
If
you are one of the many who are inconvenienced with this side effect, you may
be pleased to know that there are other niacin vitamin supplements that have
been formulated to minimize or even do away with flushing. There are now
non-flush niacin formulations in the form of sustained release products. While
this is still safe to take, there have been many reports of side effects with
these no flush niacin supplements.
Niacin supplements in the niacinamide form do not cause any flushing but do not
lower cholesterol and is not effective for inducing relaxation. Thus, it is
very important for you to distinguish one from the other when buying at your
local health stores.
Adverse Niacin Side Effects
Some
of the niacin side affects reported most especially for non-flush products and
high doses (higher than the threshold amount) of the vitamin include
gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, flatulence, bloating and
diarrhea as well as sudden decrease in blood pressure.
Other (Rare) Side Effects of Niacin
There
are isolated cases where other niacin side effects occur. These rare side
effects range from simple dryness and scaliness of the skin, excessive
pigmentation, to liver disorder, blurred vision, activation of the peptic
ulcer, and jaundice.
Niacin Overdose
What
happens when one takes too much niacin? Niacin overdose luckily does not lead
to death. There have not been any cases of death throughout all the clinical
studies of this therapeutic drug. However, taking much too many of the
threshold amount can lead to mild to moderate side effects aforementioned.
Though none of them is fatal, they can be very uncomfortable.
Niacin Toxicity
Toxic overdose of niacin
cannot happen when taking them from natural foods, but with intake of the more
potent purified synthesized nicotinic acid or nicotinamide forms. Niacin and
niacinamide supplements are only toxic when taken in megadoses (200,000 mg or
more) at the same time. As long as you follow your doctor's advice or the label
on your supplement bottle, you will not be in trouble.