Vitamin B-3, or niacin, is a supplement that is recommended by medical professionals for its ability to reduce cholesterol levels and lower the likelihood of heart disease. Some people who use niacin complain that it causes them to flush, similar to the flush experienced by women going through menopause. No flush niacin, or inositol hexaniacinate, is believed by some people to work the same way as regular niacin but does not cause its users to experience the flush.
There are three primary forms of niacin typically available: nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, and inositol hexaniacinate—or no flush niacin. Although their chemical compositions are very similar, no flush niacin differs because it has six niacin molecules that are attached to one inositol molecule. Regular niacin is rather inexpensive, but no flush niacin is still sold for many times the cost of regular niacin. Interestingly, many researchers and medical professionals believe that the no flush version of niacin does not work as well as the regular version.
Many doctors recommend niacin as the first line of defense against high cholesterol. Studies have shown that it raises high density lipoprotein (HDL), lowers low density lipoprotein (LDL), lowers triglyceride levels, and works to reduce the risk of a heart attack. Although one would believe that no flush niacin would work the same way as the regular version, some researchers claim that it actually does little to help a person’s cholesterol levels and prevent heart attacks. Reports have shown that it did work in studies using laboratory rats; however, there have not been any studies that show that the supplement has any positive effects on humans.
As with any medical condition, it is important to seek the help of a skilled medical professional before beginning any regimen containing regular or no flush niacin. Some medical professionals recommend that people with high cholesterol continue to take the regular niacin, particularly if they doubt the effectiveness of no flush niacin.
There are a few helpful hints that may reduce the chances that a flush will occur. For example, some professionals claim that taking an aspirin before taking the niacin will lessen the occurrence of the flush. Another recommendation is to increase the dosage of the niacin gradually. For example, take a quarter of a dose initially. The body will eventually adjust to that dosage and will not feel the flush. Then, increase the dosage to half of a dose. Once the body adjusts to that amount, the dosage can be increase to a full dose.
