Niacin Pills

We all know how terribly important vitamins are for proper functioning of the body. Vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K are highly crucial for functioning of different organs and metabolic processes. Vitamin B complex is again categorized into different vitamins like Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B9, Vitamin B12 and the other vitamins: Biotin, Choline and Inositol. In this article we will dwell upon vitamin B3 or niacin or nicotinic acid which is a water soluble vitamin that is naturally available in several plants and animals. Since it's water soluble, it gets flushed out of the body, which is why it needs to be constantly provided to the body through ingestion of vitamin B3 rich foods or niacin pills.

Niacin Pills

Usually our diet itself provides our body with the necessary amounts of niacin. Foods like meat, eggs, yeast, milk, fish, green vegetables and multi-grain cereals furnish the body with niacin. However, people with deficiency of vitamin B3 (pellagra) are asked to consume niacin supplements. Sometimes the pills are prescribed to help normalize cholesterol levels and circulatory issues.

Niacin pills are available as both prescription medications and as non-prescription dietary supplements. These pills furnish the body with the lacking niacin or vitamin B3, thereby giving the body enough of the vitamin to be used in energy metabolism and raising levels of good cholesterol. Niacin pills for weight loss is also another benefit of this pill. However, they are not directly related. It's just that niacin provides the cells with energy, that is gives one the motivation required to burn fat. Thus, indirectly this vitamin can be linked to weight loss.

Niacin pill dosage for adult males is 19 mg and for adult females is 13 mg. Pregnant women are recommended to have about 15 mg of niacin every day and lactating mothers are asked to have about 18 mg of niacin daily. If the pills are being taken to lower cholesterol levels in the body, then about 1000-5000 mg is recommended. The health care provider will not prescribe these levels of niacin all at once, but will use the titration rule, that is gradual introduction of niacin to the body over a period of time.

Use of niacin pills to pass drug test has been seen, wherein this vitamin was used to flush out drugs from the body. However, this is not true! Niacin does not flush out toxins from the body, moreover, excess of niacin will only cause the person taking it to land up in hospital due to niacin overdose. When test were taken, the tests for marijuana were still positive despite high levels of niacin in the urine. Thus, niacin was not able to flush out the drug.

Side Effects of Niacin Pills

Niacin pills are safe, however, excess consumption (above 75 mg) of niacin pills can result in various side effects as flushing. Flushing, caused due to dilation is the most common side effect of niacin. Some other side effects of niacin are diarrhea, stomach upset, vomiting, itching, rashes, lower blood pressure to dangerously low levels and in some cases blurred vision, jaundice and peptic ulcers. Chronic use of niacin pills can also conduce to liver damage. Fortunately, there have been no cases of reported deaths with niacin overdose. The side effects are aggravated in people who consume alcoholic beverages.

People with severe liver disease, stomach ulcers of bleeding problems should refrain from taking these niacin pills. Pregnant women are to keep away from niacin, as it can have detrimental effects on the baby. Moreover, people allergic to nicotinic acid in niacin should keep away from these pills. Before taking anypills, consult your health care provider and ensure they are safe for your body.