Took a 1000mg Niacin capsule on an empty stomach yesterday.
Glad I knew what 'niacin flush' was before that storm kicked in! It felt like I was tied between two stakes in Death Valley at 2:30 in the afternoon. This lasted for 30 minutes; the beet red skin. Total flush was about one hour, concluding with the trademark pin pricks typical of smaller flushes. Curiously, once the discomfort left, I had this feeling of euphoria. During the beet red phase, I did a little research and found a few things I thought were truly remarkable.
Quote:
HOW TO DETERMINE A SATURATION LEVEL OF NIACIN
Niacin is vitamin B-3, one of the water soluble B-complex vitamins. One of niacin's unique properties is its ability to help you naturally relax and get to sleep more rapidly at night. And it is well established that niacin helps reduce harmful cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. Abram Hoffer, M.D., Ph.D. explains: "Niacin is one of the best substances for elevating high density lipoprotein cholesterol (the "good cholesterol) and so decreases the ratio of the total cholesterol over high density cholesterol."
Another niacin feature is its ability to greatly reduce anxiety and depression. Yet another feature of niacin is that it dilates blood vessels and creates a sensation of warmth, called a "niacin flush." This is often accompanied with a blushing of the skin. It is this "flush" or sensation of heat that indicates a temporary saturation of niacin, and that is our topic here.
I've been using
Now Foods, Quercetin with Bromelain, 2 capsules of which provide 800 mg Quercetin
I take them about 20 minutes before going to bed and when I'm ready to go to sleep I take 1000mg Niacin (instant action) Generally I'm asleep before the flush starts (that's if it does I'm asleep by then so don't actually know for certain if I do/don't flush any more) I find I sleep more soundly and wake feeling fine so I suspect it does improve rather than hinder sleep quality.
Niacin when used together with omega 3 is associated with HIGHER HDL and LOWER TRIGLYCERIDES so it's likely there are benefits other than just improving sleep quality.
I've been using
Now Foods, Quercetin with Bromelain, 2 capsules of which provide 800 mg Quercetin
I take them about 20 minutes before going to bed and when I'm ready to go to sleep I take 1000mg Niacin (instant action) Generally I'm asleep before the flush starts (that's if it does I'm asleep by then so don't actually know for certain if I do/don't flush any more) I find I sleep more soundly and wake feeling fine so I suspect it does improve rather than hinder sleep quality.
Niacin when used together with omega 3 is associated with HIGHER HDL and LOWER TRIGLYCERIDES so it's likely there are benefits other than just improving sleep quality.
More good info, thanks Ted.
I found this interesting too.
Quote:
Vitamin B-3 is made in the body from the amino acid tryptophan. On the average 1 mg of vitamin B-3 is made from 60 mg of tryptophan, about 1.5% Since it is made in the body it does not meet the definition of a vitamin; these are defined as substances that can not be made. It should have been classified with the amino acids, but long usage of the term vitamin has given it permanent status as a vitamin. The 1.5% conversion rate is a compromise based upon the conversion of tryptophan to N-methyl nicotinamide and its metabolites in human subjects. I suspect that one day in the far distant future none of the tryptophan will be converted into vitamin B-3 and it then will truly be a vitamin.
The Merck No Flush Niacin/statin combination drug study has shown no help in cutting down heart attacks. Merck are blaming niacin, not the statin or their no-flush modification of course.
I've been using
Now Foods, Quercetin with Bromelain, 2 capsules of which provide 800 mg Quercetin
I take them about 20 minutes before going to bed and when I'm ready to go to sleep I take 1000mg Niacin (instant action) Generally I'm asleep before the flush starts (that's if it does I'm asleep by then so don't actually know for certain if I do/don't flush any more) I find I sleep more soundly and wake feeling fine so I suspect it does improve rather than hinder sleep quality.
Niacin when used together with omega 3 is associated with HIGHER HDL and LOWER TRIGLYCERIDES so it's likely there are benefits other than just improving sleep quality.
I've been taking the two Quercetin with Bromelain, 500mg niacin, 1000mg Taurine, Hawthorn, Pasionflower and 10mg melatonin. I'll add the fish oil too.
Niacin (Vit. B3)
Hybrid Mode
