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Nician Side Effects

Niacin is a vitamin that many people use to supplement their daily diet. While Niacin has health benefits, it can cause undesirable side effects at high doses.

  1. Identification

    • Niacin is a B vitamin that is commonly used to boost your good cholesterol (HDL). Niacin is also used to boost energy levels by turning the carbohydrates you eat into energy. Niacin is also essential in keeping your hair, nails, skin, digestive system and eyes healthy.

    Niacin Flushing

    • The most common negative side effect from using Niacin is the Niacin flush. This occurs with the higher doses of Niacin, such as 1,000 mg. This can cause temporary redness of the skin and it may even be warm to the touch. Avoiding alcohol and hot beverages can help to eliminate flushing. Aspirin can also help to reduce Niacin flushing. There are also non-flushing forms of Niacin available by prescription.

    Blood Sugar

    • Niacin has been found to increase the level of blood sugar in the body. For this reason, people that have been diagnosed with diabetes, should not take Niacin unless recommended by their doctor.

    Stomach Upset

    • High doses of Niacin have been known to cause stomach upset. It is important to take Niacin with food to avoid nausea and stomach cramps.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Always consult your doctor before supplementing with Niacin. Your doctor will be able to help you find the right dosage of this vitamin. This will help minimize the side effects that are associated with Niacin.

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