B-100 Plus, one of
our top-sellers, has
been the subject of
a few notes to this
kat of late. One of
the forms of niacin
in the formula,
nicotinic acid, has
been causing some
folks to flush and
they wanted to
understand why.
First, a review
of niacin, which
comes in two forms:
nicotinic acid (the
flushing form) and
niacinimide (the
non-flushing form).
Both forms of niacin
are important.
However, nicotinic
acid is especially
noted for supporting
heart health and
normal cholesterol
levels. In addition
to heart health
support, niacin or
vitamin B-3 performs
other big jobs like
converting
carbohydrates into
energy and
supporting nervous
system, digestive
system, skin, hair,
and eye health.
Now, back to
niacin and flushing.
Our B-100 Plus has
only 20mg of
nicotinic acid,
while the bulk of
the niacin in our
B-100 Plus is the
non-flushing
niacinimide (80mg).
While it’s a small
amount, 20mg of
nicotinic acid is
still enough to
cause a niacin flush
in sensitive folks.
However, it turns
out a little niacin
flush is a good
thing!
Niacin Flushing
Helps Rid Your Body
of Stored Toxins
Supplying all
your little cells
with nutrients and
oxygen via your
bloodstream depends
on several large
arteries and
thousands of tiny
capillaries. While
the large organs of
your body receive
blood from large
arteries, a great
deal of your body,
particularly the
parts near your
skin, receive blood
supply from
thousands of tiny capillaries.
Niacin causes
those tiny
capillaries to
widen, thus allowing
more blood to flow
to tissues and skin.
Capillaries can be
so small that blood
cells can only go
through in single
file, thus niacin
can help double
blood flow to areas
that need extra
nourishment.
Flushing simply
equates to more
blood flowing in
tiny capillaries
close to the surface
of your body.
Increasing fresh
blood into the cells
is an important
benefit, yet a
niacin flush can
also flush
long-stored stored
toxins out of your
cells!
The waste
expelled from your
cells then triggers
histamine
production. And,
while histamine
release causes an
itchy feeling, it
also tells your body
to send more water,
blood, and nutrients
to “take the trash
out.” Three cheers
for additional
resources to all
your little cells!
Why Some
People Experience
Niacin Flush
So, why do some
people flush and
others don't, you
ask?! The answer is
simple genetics.
Some folks more
rapidly metabolize
nicotinic acid into
nicotinuric acid, a
niacin metabolite
that relaxes
capillaries, boosts
blood nourishing
blood flow, and
causes flushing.
If you have
experienced
uncomfortable niacin
flushing, yet want
the benefits of the
heart-healthy
nicotinic acid form
of niacin, here are
some tips:
-
Take niacin
supplements with
your larger
meals (lunch or
dinner) to slow
digestion.
-
Drink 1-2
glasses of water
to cool the heat
of flushing if
you are
sensitive to
nicotinic acid.
This often will
work within a
few minutes.
-
If you still
have flushing
that is
uncomfortable,
take a 325mg
uncoated aspirin
to break your
flush more
quickly.
While, niacin is
best taken right
after eating, as
food slow absorption
and thus mediates
flushing, taking
niacin before
bedtime can work
well too. Many folks
sleep better due to
niacin's relaxation
effects. And, if
you’re sensitive to
niacin but fall
asleep easily, you
just may be asleep
before any flushing
occurs!
Niacin
Requirements &
Saturation
When you flush,
your body may also
be telling you that
it has enough
niacin. Ideally, you
want to take just
enough niacin to
have a slight flush.
This means a
pinkness to your
cheeks, ears, neck,
forearms and perhaps
elsewhere. A slight
flush should last
only about ten
minutes.
If you take more
niacin than your
system needs or can
store, the flush may
be more pronounced
and longer lasting.
If you flush beet
red for half an hour
and feel weird, it's
likely you took too
much niacin.
The more niacin
your body can store,
the more you need to
replenish those
stores. If you flush
early, you don't
need as much niacin.
If flushing doesn't
happen until
ingesting a high
level of niacin,
then your body
requires more niacin
for optimal health.
You can keep
track of how much
niacin it takes to
induce a slight
flush, which will
give you an
indicator of how
much niacin you
need.
Beware "No
Flush" or
Sustained-Release
Niacin Forms
Many of you have
heard of
sustained-release
niacin, which is
advertised as not
causing a flush at
all. This claim may
not be completely
true, as sometimes
the flush is just
postponed. The
sustained-release
niacin products can
have some bad side
effects too, like
stomach upset,
fatigue, and even
liver trouble with
higher doses, so
these are some
considerations. In
addition to being
more expensive,
sustained-release
niacin also makes it
difficult to assess
your body’s real
niacin needs and
saturation points.
So fair members,
a niacin flush isn’t
inherently a bad
thing, but is
instead something to
notice and respond
to based on your own
body’s needs and
signals.
Read more about
the truly vital
importance of B
Vitamins to your
health on our
B-100 Plus product
page.
