Niacin supplements can help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attacks, but can cause side effects such as skin flushing and gastrointestinal problems. Serious side effects include shortness of breath and blurred vision, which require medical attention. Niacin supplements can also treat pellagra.
Niacin supplements may be necessary when there is not enough of this vitamin in the body. It is used to lower cholesterol, lower the risk of recurrent heart attacks, and treat coronary artery disease. Of course, like any drug, niacin does have some negative side effects, some of which are quite common. For example, skin flushing, rashes, and gastrointestinal problems can occur in many people taking this pill. Some niacin side effects that are considered more serious include shortness of breath, fainting, blurred vision, darker skin, and severe heartburn.
This supplement is often needed when there is not enough niacin in the body, as it is not stored in fat, so it is frequently eliminated. The main reason for taking extra niacin is typically to treat high cholesterol, as well as to lower the risk of heart attack in those who have had one before due to high cholesterol. It can also help treat coronary artery disease, as well as a condition called pellagra. This condition develops as a result of too little niacin in the diet, with symptoms including skin conditions, diarrhea, and depression, and niacin supplements can cure it.
While there are many positive effects of niacin, there are also some unappealing side effects. One of the most common types is skin flushing, which is often marked by red, itchy, warm, or tingling skin. This side effect usually improves once niacin is taken for a long period of time, but it can also worsen when alcohol or hot drinks are consumed directly after taking the supplement. Gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and flatulence are also common side effects of niacin. These may go away with time, or with reduced doses, although many people find the positive effects worth treating these minor issues.
There are some negative effects of niacin that require medical attention when noticed, but they are rarer than just flushing or GI issues. Some people have shortness of breath and may feel dizzy and need immediate medical treatment. Problems such as increased skin pigmentation, blurred vision, and severe heartburn should be mentioned to a doctor as soon as possible so that the dosage can be reduced. Other rare effects of niacin include dry, scaly skin, peptic ulcers, jaundice, liver inflammation, and elevated blood sugar levels, all of which should be mentioned to a doctor.
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