Description
What is Vitamin B3 (Niacin)?
Vitamin B3 is a water soluble vitamin, meaning that it cannot be stored in the body and is acquired through diet. Other names for vitamin B3 are niacin and nicotinic acid.
What does Vitamin B3 (Niacin) do?
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) promotes energy production from food and is necessary to both the nervous and digestive system. Dietary sources: beef, pork, chicken, wheat and maize flour, eggs and milk.
Niacin Flush
In some cases, Vitamin B3 in the form of niacin can cause erythema, or a “niacin flush.”
Niacin dilates the blood vessels encouraging an increase of blood flow to the skin which creates the niacin flush.
It creates a warm, sometimes tingly, feeling on the skin and is normally followed with blushing. The skin feels warm to the touch and can even feel itchy.
It is entirely harmless with a flush lasting no more than an hour – often much less – with each additional dose the intensity of the flush will decrease.
Here are some top tips to minimise the effects of a niacin flush:
> Take it with food, specifically apples including their skin
> Avoid alcohol, hot drinks, high fat & spicy food or snacks as these can intensify the flush
> Also avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice as these can exacerbate flushing
For those who just can’t bear the flush sensation, we also stock a no-flush Vitamin B3.
Suggested Adult Use
One capsule per day with meals.
This product is suitable for vegetarians or vegans.
If you have a medical condition, are taking medication, are pregnant or nursing, always seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional before using any food supplement. Discontinue use if any adverse reaction occurs.
Warnings: Do not take with medication or if on statins. Do not take if any history of liver or kidney disease, gastric ulcers, blood clotting disorders, glaucoma, gout, low blood pressure, niacin sensitivity, diabetes, pregnant or breast feeding. Stop 4 weeks before surgery; confirm with your doctor when you can restart supplementation.
Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied diet.
Store in a cool, dark place.
Health Leads formula
Each plant source vegetarian capsule contains:
50mg Vitamin B3 (Niacin/Nicotonic Acid) (50mg NE*)
Organic rice flour
Other ingredients: None
*Niacin Equivalent (NE)
We are required by the UK government to express the weight of Niacin in mg NE. The “NE” stands for Niacin Equivalent. 1mg of Niacin = 1mg NE. However, you may also take the amino acid L-Tryptophan as part of your food supplement regime. If so, when calculating your intake of Niacin, please remember that 60mg of L-Tryptophan = 1mg NE. A supplement containing 500mg of L-Tryptophan would provide an additional 8.3mg NE to your NRV.