Niacin

Description
Niacin is a water-soluble B vitamin – and the common name for two very different compounds: nicotinic acid and niacinamide. Like all B-vitamins, niacin plays a role in many aspects of energy metabolism (as a component of NAD) and nervous system function. One of the most common uses for supplemental niacin is cholesterol regulation (used at very high doses – see below). Rich dietary sources of niacin include many high-protein foods such as meat, chicken, tuna and other fatty fish, peanuts, pork and milk.

• Lowers Cholesterol & Triglyceride Levels (Niacin)
• Prevents / Treats Diabetes (Niacinamide)
• Improves Circulation (Inositol Hexaniacinate)
• Relieves Arthritis (Niacinamide)

Theory
Because niacin is involved in the proper functioning of more than 200 metabolic enzymes, it plays a role in a wide range of bodily processes, including synthesis of hormones and blood cells and the release of energy from fats, carbohydrates and proteins. As a nutrient (vitamin B3) consumed at low doses (20-40mg), there is virtually no difference between the different chemical forms of niacin. In the mid-1950s, however, it was shown that high doses of niacin (as nicotinic acid) could lower cholesterol levels (although the exact mechanism of action is still not known). The other form of niacin – nicotinamide or niacinamide – does not provide a cholesterol-lowering effect, but there is some evidence that it may be helpful in preventing the development of childhood diabetes (Type I) in high-risk children. It should be cautioned that there is a strong possibility of liver inflammation with large doses of any form of niacin, including in herbal remedies for erectile dysfunction (see safety considerations below). Valobrex, however, contains niacin at levels well below standard drug therapy levels.

Scientific Support
Niacin has been studied for its cardiovascular benefits in about a half-dozen major clinical trials. The primary cardiovascular measures such as cholesterol and triglyceride levels, heart attacks and strokes are all significantly reduced with niacin therapy (sometimes used alone and sometimes used along with other drug therapy). Overall, the use of niacin (nicotinic acid, but not niacinamide) to prevent or treat elevated blood lipids and reduce cardiovascular disease risk is well substantiated. In a large number of clinical trials, nicotinic acid has been shown to consistently lower total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol (by about 15-20%) and triglycerides (by 10-25%), while increasing levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol (by 15-25%). The downside is that the amount of niacin needed to lower cholesterol levels also tends to result in "niacin intolerance" in 15-40% of people who try it and the unpleasant side effect of "skin-flushing" (similar to hot flashes) as well as the serious risk of liver damage (see Safety considerations below).

Safety
In the high doses used for controlling cholesterol levels (anything above 100mg/day), nicotinic acid can cause skin flushing and itching of the skin as well as headaches and hypotension.

Value
Niacin is cheap – so its effectiveness in reducing cholesterol levels may be an inexpensive solution to reducing a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. When monitored properly, niacin therapy can be almost as effective as the popular (and expensive) statin drugs for lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It is important to note that, despite the fact that niacin is a B-vitamin, such high-dose niacin therapy should really be considered "drug" therapy and not "nutritional" therapy.

Dosage
Although the Daily Value for niacin is only 20mg and the body can convert tryptophan (an amino acid) into niacin, a "cholesterol-lowering" dose of niacin (as nicotinic acid, NOT niacinamide or nicotinamide) is typically in the range of 250-2000mg/day. All niacin therapy (at doses exceeding 100mg/day) should be supervised and monitored by a physician. Since we are using Niacin in our horny goat weed supplement for its "nutritional" therapy, the levels are kept well below the "drug" therapy levels.