No Flush Niacin: Benefits, Risks & What You Need to Know

Niacin is an essential B-vitamin used to aid the body in the digestion of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. It also keeps skin healthy and helps maintain cholesterol levels within normal ranges.

Benefits

• No flush niacin is beneficial in the treatment of high lipids, high triglycerides and high cholesterol. Niacin treatment has been successful in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Risks

• Prolonged use of no flush niacin may increase the chance of liver damage due to increased homocysteine levels in the blood. Regular blood tests should be performed by a physician to monitor proper liver function.

Niacin "Flush"

• Niacin causes increased blood flow and dilation of capillaries, resulting in a harmless reddening of the skin. No flush niacin is time released and more easily absorbed, reducing the chance of the flush occurring.

Side Effects

• Side effects of niacin may include gastrointestinal discomfort, leg cramps and sleeplessness. As the body becomes accustomed to absorbing niacin, these side effects will lessen.

Warning

• Some people have taken large quantities of niacin in an attempt to "fool" a drug test into a false negative result. Such behavior is dangerous and people attempting this have been diagnosed with severe liver damage.