|  | Diet Nutrition | Nutritional Supplements

Niacin Cleansing

Niacin (vitamin B3) is a water-soluble vitamin and the common name for two compounds: nicotinic acid and niacinamide. It is used to lower cholesterol, detox the body and sometimes to treat coronary artery disease.

  1. Detoxification

    • Niacin helps the body excrete toxins that build up in the body and are stored in fatty tissue. Niacin increases the blood flow through the arteries and small capillaries by dilating the blood vessels. This increased blood flow promotes better transport of oxygen and nutrients to the organs and helps eliminate toxins. Niacin also helps reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

    Dosage

    • The suggested niacin cleansing dosage is 3,000 to 9,000 mg divided into three doses throughout the day. Taking the final dose before bedtime will help you sleep without discomfort. If you take niacin on an empty stomach, skin flushing will usually occur within 20 minutes. If you take it directly after a meal, it may take longer to start taking effect.

    Avoiding Discomfort

    • Niacin cleansing can be uncomfortable, with sweating, itchy skin, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat and dizziness. To reduce the discomfort, start niacin treatment with a low dose and gradually increase the dose throughout the day. Taking an uncoated aspirin 20 to 30 minutes before a dose of niacin can also help to reduce the unpleasant effects while not interfering with the benefits.

    Side Effects

    • Niacin intake has several possible side effects. Because niacin promotes an increase in blood flow, which causes the capillaries to expand, more blood flows closer to the skin's surface. This causes the characteristic flushing effect, which is a slight reddening and warmth of the skin. Flushing usually is more pronounced in the face, neck, ears and forearms, though it may appear elsewhere. A niacin flush usually ends in about 10 minutes, although taking larger doses or taking niacin on an empty stomach will make it more pronounced and longer lasting. Flushing is common but should not be a cause for concern, as it is rarely harmful. Itching skin is also a common side effect; as the cells eliminate waste, they produce histamines, which cause the itching.

      More serious side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, vertigo, blurred vision, dry and scaly skin, jaundice and liver disorders. If you experience any of these symptoms after taking a niacin supplement, you should stop taking it immediately and consult a physician.

Nutritional Supplements - Related Articles