Niacin

Niacin (vitamin B3) plays a key role in energy metabolism, nervous system functions, and is needed for healthy skin and digestion. Niacin works together with the other B vitamins and helps to increase circulation, reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, promote healthy digestion, and prevent or manage migraines and headaches. Niacin therapy has also been show to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

In fact there are two different chemical forms of niacin: niacinamide and nicotinic acid. At low doses (less than 40mg) there's little difference between these to forms of niacin, but at high doses the two are very different. High doses of niacin as niacinamide may be effective in controlling blood sugar levels and possibly preventing the onset of childhood diabetes. While high doses of niacin as nicotinic acid has been shown to lower total LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides and increase HDL (good) cholesterol. Unfortunately high doses of niacin may result in niacin intolerance, symptoms of which are skin flushing, itchiness, headaches, bloating, and low blood pressure.

Deficiencies in niacin are rare because many foods we eat are naturally rich with niacin or have been fortified with this vitamin. However when mild deficiencies do occur it may be associated with depression, sluggish metabolism, and poor appetite. Those more at risk of niacin deficiency are the elderly and alcoholics.

Niacin & Weight Loss

A deficiency in niacin may slow down your metabolism thereby increasing the potential for weight gain leading to obesity. By supplementing daily with a reasonable dose of niacin your metabolism is maintained or perhaps improved. A healthy and powerful metabolism may increase the percentage of fat burned as energy.

High doses of niacin as nicotinic acid (not as niacinamide) have also been shown to lower total LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides and increase HDL (good) cholesterol. A typical cholesterol lowering dose of nicotinic acid is above 250mg per day. One such diet pill supplement with this level of niacin content is Zantrex3.

Is Niacin Safe?

The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for niacin is 20mg. This represents the minimum daily dose needed by an average healthy person to avoid showing signs of deficiency.

Often large doses of niacin are used as an effective way to lower cholesterol. A cholesterol lowering dose of niacin, as nicotinic acid is typically 250 to 2000mg. Such large doses of niacin can lead to niacin intolerance which may cause skin-flushing (like a sunburn), itching of the skin, as well as headaches and hypo-tension (low blood pressure and lightheadedness). Often these side effects can be diminished somewhat when the niacin is combined with aspirin. If high doses of niacin are maintained for an extended period of time without the supervision of a medical professional and regular liver testing, it may lead to serious liver damage.

Anyone with liver disease or even those who consume more than 2 drinks of alcohol daily should not take high doses of niacin unless supervised by their doctor.

Diet Pills Containing Niacin

Diet Pill Ingredients

Caffeine - Powerful metabolic stimulant and appetite suppressant.
Calcium - May play a key role in fat storage and breakdown.
Chromium - May help to maintain blood sugar levels & suppress appetite.
Garcinia Cambogia - Rich in hydroxycitric acid, a natural carbohydrate inhibitor.
Green Tea - Packed full of potent anti-oxidants for optimum health.
Guarana - Potent source of caffeine and natural stimulant.
Hoodia Gordonii - The slimming cactus.
L-Tyrosine - Mood enhancing & metabolism boosting amino acid.
L-Carnitine - Essential for increased fat oxidation.
Niacin - Vitamin B3, lowers LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Scutellaria Root - Drought hardy perennial native to southwest China.
Thiamin - Vitamin B1, the "brain energizer" vitamin.
White Willow Bark - Traditional pain reliever and anti-inflammatory.
Yerba Mate - A medium sized evergreen plant native to South America.