Use caution when taking niacin in high doses. Niacin is a vasodilator, meaning it opens up the capillaries and allows increased blood flow to the skin. This causes the characteristic “niacin flush” with symptoms that can include reddening of the skin, increased warmth, skin tingling, and itching. It usually starts at the forehead and works its way down the body. The niacin flush is harmless and will pass, but this can be uncomfortable for some people.

High dose niacin is not recommended for first-time niacin users. If you flush with low dose niacin, you can expect a more intense and prolonged flush if you jump to a high dosage without a gradual build up. To avoid an intense flush, start with a low dose niacin such as our 25 mg Niacin. If this low dose makes you flush, open a capsule and take only a portion of the niacin power and gradually increase the amount of powder in each dose. Continue gradually increasing your niacin dose if working up to higher doses of niacin. Each time niacin is taken, the flush is repeated but to a lesser degree.*

Why high-dose Niacin?
Abram Hoffer, MD, PhD was a pioneering niacin researcher who advocated the use of nutrition-based medicine, including regular, prolonged therapeutic doses of niacin, for the prevention and treatment of a wide spectrum of health problems.*

In a book co-authored by Dr. Hoffer, Niacin: The Real Story, researchers challenged the Safe Upper Limit (UL) of niacin set forth by the Institute of Medicine, which is currently 35 mg per day for adults. Hoffer and his associates debated the legitimacy of the government standard UL when, to date, there is no evidence to prove that high doses of niacin are harmful to human health.*

Dr. Hoffer’s standard therapeutic niacin recommendation was 3,000 mg per day divided into three doses. He recommended taking niacin with a meal for improved absorption.*

Niacin (Vitamin B3) helps the body utilize proteins, fats and carbohydrates for energy, and also supports nerve and skin health. Niacin may help the body’s efforts to lower cholesterol and supports digestive health.*

How to work yourself up to 3,000 mg of pure Niacin per day: You may be wondering how to build up to 3,000 mg of pure niacin per day, as described by Dr. Abram Hoffer in Niacin: The Real Story.

You may not know that time released niacin, which is designed to limit the effects of flushing, has been found to be toxic to the kidneys, so it should be avoided. Take only pure niacin.*

Keep in mind that niacinamide is an option, although not as potent as pure niacin, for those who cannot tolerate the niacin flush. When taking pure niacin you may experience flushing from the top of your head down to your lower back. This is a harmless reaction but you may want to limit the intensity of the flush by starting with small amounts of niacin.

For example, start with 25 mg and keep taking this amount until you are comfortable with the effects of the flush. Then increase to 50 mg (this may be possible by the third dose). Increase dose to 100 mg, 200 mg, 500 mg and eventually 1,000 mg per dose, three times a day, using a similar wait time between each increase. You can go slower or faster depending on your comfort level.

Always talk to a qualified healthcare professional prior to taking vitamins and supplements in high doses, as discussed here.