Why does niacin make you flush?

Niacin, also known as Vitamin B3, is a crucial nutrient that plays a significant role in maintaining optimal health. However, taking niacin supplements can sometimes lead to an uncomfortable side effect – flushing. In this article, we’ll be talking about the science behind niacin flushing and why it happens.

The Basics of Niacin

Before we dive deep into the reasons for flushing caused by niacin supplements let’s take a moment to understand what exactly is Niacin?

Niacin or Vitamin B3 occurs naturally in various food sources such as yeast, meat, milk products etc. It acts as an essential component for energy metabolism in all living organisms including humans.

It has two main forms: nicotinic acid and nicotinamide (also called niacinamide). Fun fact: These molecules are closely related enough that your body can interconvert them!

Nicotinic acid serves well for preventing diseases like pellagra- which comes from not eating enough vitamin-b containing foods – since the pathways require more NAD+ than available without supplementing with vitamins like vitamin B3.


Flushing caused by consuming excess doses of vitamin B3

What is Flushing?

In simple terms – flushing refers to redness on skin surface accompanied by warmth due to capillaries being dilated underneath skin. It could be observed after physical exertion or consuming alcohol but most commonly after ingesting higher doses of vitaB nutrients especially prescribed amount is exceeded.

Psst…Did you know, people often misperceive facial expressions when someone flushes? That’s right! A study conducted at Berkeley suggests that after given one dose of 30mg/kg/day other peoples’ smiles were perceived neutral rather than happy – maybe because smiling too wide puts pressure on the facial muscles in someone that’s already flushed.

What Causes Niacin Flushing?

The cause of niacin flushing has to do with its effect on blood vessels.

When you take a dose of niacin supplement, it enters your bloodstream and causes your blood vessels to dilate (widening) – resulting in an increased flow volume. This leads to an increase in localised blood circulation which is what gives rise to flushing symptoms like warmth, redness or tingling sensation all around the face, torso and limbs. With higher dosage regimens these effects become more pronounced leading upto discomfortability for individuals feeling “hot”.

But why exactly does this happen?

Niacin triggers histamine release which stimulates vasodilation — leading towards better oxygenation of tissues by increasing surface area they receive supply from as compared what was present before ingesting supplements containing vitamin B3! PS: Did you know, Histamines are also responsible for allergies? Wow!


Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323374

Another reason why niacin flushes is because it prompts prostaglandins’ production ultimately results into rapid cytokine accumulation at targeted areas – often triggering inflammatory response from immune system itself causing clotting factors as well some more serious issues occasionally encountered such as tissue necrosis/failure.

In simple words, any time there’s a sudden surge in intra-cellular activity where niacin comes into play, our skin pays the price through vasodilation and subsequent reddening that one may recognise as ‘flushing’.

F.Y.I., Not everyone experiences flushing after taking niacin supplements; however if consumed beyond prescribed doses(>35mg / day) unnecessary inflammation might hinder basic physiological functioning like Temperature regulation during fever adaptations due excessive sweating etc.- not helpful for anyone!

Factors That Affect Niacin Flushing

The severity and duration of niacin flushing can depend on several factors, including:

Dosage

Higher dosages often result in stronger and more prolonged symptoms. Thus, It is recommended to start with a low dose (~< 20mg/day) which can then be increased gradually in order to avoid excessive side effects.

note: consult with your doctor regarding prescription strength if interested.

Time

Symptoms may last anywhere from minutes up-to an hour typically for adults (children as well), although most individuals usually get better within 30-60 minutes regardless of underlying causes severity levels encountered by them individually at different points in time varying from person to person because we’re all unique!


Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323374

How Can You Prevent or Reduce Niacin Flushing?

There are various ways one can prevent/tackle this amazing flush; One could add food items rich either vitamin B3 or an antihistamine containing item like diphenhydramine etc..

Another common solution includes consuming non-immediate release formulations that have less probability of stimulating visceral histamines mediating pro-inflammatory responses leading upto this epidermal malaise whether present through administration orally perscutaneously(having patches).

Keep yourself hydrated post rushing off for that bi-hourly pee break after taking prescribed medication excessively amidst rigorous exercise regimen depending upon necessity physiological state if measured carefully making chronic management easier overall since getting adverse reactions due wrong dosage(High/low) / timing could lead unto life-threatening outcome. So always watch out who you’re following when it comes down treating biological irregularities without proper medical consultation beforehand [not accounting emergencies].

cough the Internet isn’t everything /cough

Conclusion

Niacin plays a crucial role in our cellular metabolism, but taking excessive amounts of this nutrient can result in flushing symptoms. The flushing occurs due to the increased blood flow in response to niacin’s effect on blood vessels and histamine release.

It is important to start with low doses while incorporating food items rich either vitamin B3 before proceeding towards stronger regimens of supplements -always keep yourself hydrated post supplementing. Taking non-immediate-release formulations or antihistamines may also help prevent/slow down the occurrence of these unpleasant side effects for individuals.

P.S: Remember, our skin pays a price anytime there exists sudden overactivity inside-cells that involve niacin- so don’t go upping those vitamid-d intensive shakes without first asking your doctor if it would be geese out!

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