Vitamin B3 from Biocare, Solgar, Viridian, HealthAid and FSC – as niacin, no-flush niacin and niacinamide.
Niacin contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. The three forms behave quite differently, which is the thing to understand first.
Plain niacin causes a flush in most people – warmth, redness and tingling across the face and chest, usually starting within half an hour and passing within an hour. It is harmless, and it is alarming the first time if nobody has told you.
That is the whole reason three forms exist on this shelf. If you take plain niacin and go red, nothing has gone wrong.
Niacinamide, which Biocare use, does not cause the flush. Solgar's No-Flush Niacin is inositol hexanicotinate, formulated for the same reason. Both are the answer if the flush is the obstacle.
Viridian's high potency version is plain niacin, so expect the flush with that one. Read which form you are buying rather than going by the B3 on the front.
High-strength niacin is not something to take at length on your own initiative – sustained large amounts are one of the few B vitamins that can cause trouble. Follow the pack.
If you take prescribed medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have been told anything about your liver, speak to your GP before taking B3 at high strength. A B complex keeps it in proportion and is the safer default.
FAQ
Why does niacin make me flush?
It dilates small blood vessels near the skin. It is harmless and passes within an hour, but it is startling if unexpected.
How do I avoid the flush?
Buy niacinamide or a no-flush form. Plain niacin will flush most people.
Is a high strength B3 safe to take long term?
Not on your own initiative. Follow the pack and speak to your GP before taking high strength niacin for any length of time.
Should I just take a B complex?
For most people, yes. A complex keeps the B vitamins in proportion and is the safer default.
