Niacin

Niacin

Niacin, also known as Vitamin B3 and nicotinic acid, is essential to good health. There are a plethora of niacin products to help you meet your specific nutritional needs. Niacin from brands like TwinLab and Nature's Bounty are available at Walgreens.com.

Flush-free niacin

If you have ever experienced an uncomfortable warmness, embarrassing redness and itching of your skin after taking niacin, you may want to try one of the many flush-free niacin supplements. These slow-release formulations are available in different amounts and in capsule, caplet, tablet and liquid form. Because the niacin enters your system gradually throughout the day, there is not enough in your body at any one time to bring on flushing. Overall, though, you are still getting the desired amount of this vital vitamin, just without the side effects.

Heart health benefits

Your doctor may have suggested that you take niacin supplements to raise the High-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in your blood. This good cholesterol is associated with lower levels of bad cholesterol and thereby improves overall heart health. Niacin is available in different strengths so make sure you get the correct niacin formulation for you. If you also take a daily multivitamin chances are you are already ingesting niacin over and above the amount you are getting from foods, such as tuna and whole-grain products, in your diet. This needs to be factored in when you calculate your required daily dose. Niacin is also often in Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) supplements used by weight lifters and fitness buffs.