Now Niacin Flush-Free 500mg - 90 V-Caps

The Importance of Vitamin B3

Niacin is a water-soluble B vitamin. The body can produce its own niacin from tryptophan with the help of B1, B2 and B6. It is an important vitamin for the functioning of the nervous system. Niacin has been well researched for its ability to improve mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. It also helps the digestion of fats, carbohydrates and protein because niacin is needed in the coenzymes that speed up these reactions. Niacin plays a part in the production of stomach acid and bile. One form of B3, niacin, lowers cholesterol because niacin is involved in chemical reactions that metabolize fats. Niacin also causes the release of histamine, a chemical responsible for dilating vessels. Thus it benefits cardiovascular diseases, where circulation is compromised, and diabetes, where decreased circulation causes numbness in the extremities. To further help with diabetes, niacin regulates blood sugar as a component of glucose tolerance factor. Niacin can also help allergy sufferers by depleting the body's histamine stores. Histamine release leads to allergic symptoms like runny nose and itchy, watery eyes.

Why is it Flush Free?

Niacin or nicotinic acid causes a transient skin flushing. The flush is caused by the release of histamine. This is natural and harmless reaction that usually subside within 1 hour, however some individuals do find it uncomfortable. Taking niacin on a full stomach or with Inositol can minimize it. Time released forms of niacin may increase the risk of liver toxicity. Niacinamide does not cause flushing but it does not have the cholesterol lowering or allergy inhibiting properties of niacin. Inositol hexaniacinate is a form of niacin that is non-flushing but still lowers cholesterol.

Why do I Need B Vitamins?

The Nutrition Almanac states that B vitamins "may be the single most important factor for maintenance of the nerves."B vitamins are essential for healthy skin, hair, eyes, mouth and liver. Water-soluble B vitamins are not stored in the body and must be replenished daily.

All of the B vitamins work together and are best used by the body in a B complex, which is why many B complex supplements include a small dose of riboflavin in them. If additional supplementation of riboflavin is needed it should be taken in addition to a good B complex. Most B vitamins are water-soluble and any extra from large doses is flushed out of the body easily, therefore it's best to take lower dosages of the B complex several times a day than one larger dose. Spray or sublingual forms of B vitamins are easily absorbed, as are capsules - if your digestion is healthy, then the tablet form is usually suitable for most people.

Lowering High Cholesterol The Natural Way

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in North America. High cholesterol contributes to heart disease when the fatty molecules build up on the inside of arteries. This leads to a decrease in the flexibility and elasticity of the walls. As the artery becomes narrower, decreased circulation leads to high blood pressure because the body struggles to maintain enough blood flow to its tissues. Pieces of the cholesterol plaque can break off or the turbulent flow of blood can cause clots to form. If the pieces or clots lodge in smaller vessels this leads to heart attack or stroke.

The Good, The Bad, and The Cholesterol

Cholesterol is not all bad; it is the amount and the ratio of the various forms of cholesterol that are a health concern. LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol is fat that is being transported from the liver for use by your cells. It is commonly called bad cholesterol. HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol is called good cholesterol because it is fat that is being taken unused cholesterol from your cells back to the liver, where it is broken down. Cholesterol levels are unhealthy if you have lots of circulating LDL, not enough HDL or a combination of the two.

Dietary cholesterol is different than the serum cholesterol mentioned above. Although eating foods that are high in cholesterol does raise serum cholesterol levels the liver is responsible for making cholesterol when needed. Thus a cholesterol reduction plan should include a low cholesterol diet with other treatments to help to reduce serum cholesterol. Genetics also plays a role in high cholesterol.

Dangerous Side Effects With Cholesterol Drugs

Conventional treatment of high cholesterol with lipid lowering drugs decreases serum cholesterol but makes only small improvements to your chance of developing heart disease. Plus these drugs have many side effects. The most troublesome is the increased risk of depression and suicide amongst medicated individuals. The drugs also deplete vital nutrients for heart health such as coenzyme Q10. These medications can interact with natural products. Consult a health professional before starting any new therapy.