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Product Details
Since the 1950s, niacin (vitamin B3) has been known to lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In fact, in numerous clinical studies niacin has demonstrated better overall results in reducing risk factors for coronary heart disease than other cholesterol-lowering agents, including statin drugs. Nonetheless, many people are reluctant to use niacin because at the dosing levels recommended to lower cholesterol, it causes a hot, itchy skin reaction known as the “niacin flush”.
In an attempt to combat this reaction, manufacturers developed sustained-release – also called timed-release or slow-release – niacin products. These formulations allowed the niacin to be absorbed gradually, over a period of 12 hours or more, thereby reducing the flushing reaction. Unfortunately, these earlier timed-release preparations were shown to be more toxic to the liver than regular niacin.
This problem has now been overcome with the development of “intermediate release” preparations that achieve a similar therapeutic effect with significantly lower doses, released over a shorter 6–8 hour period. Very large clinical trials have shown intermediate-release niacin preparations to be extremely well tolerated, with no liver toxicity or serious side effects noted.
Niacin exerts a number of beneficial effects on blood lipids. Specifically, it has been shown to lower the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol as well as the levels of the more harmful Lp(a) lipoprotein, triglycerides, and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, etc.) while simultaneously raising HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Niacin reduces LDL cholesterol by restricting the liver’s production of VLDL, a precursor to LDL cholesterol, while increasing the particle size of LDL cholesterol from the smaller, more dangerous dense form, to a larger more innocuous form that is less associated with coronary artery disease.
Studies have shown that lower dosages of the intermediate release form (e.g., 1500–2000 mg given once at night) were as effective at improving blood lipids as larger dosages (e.g., 3000 mg) of the older timed-release forms. Some forms of intermediate release niacin utilize synthetic films to coat the tablet. Natural Factors Niacin instead uses natural cellulose gum to achieve the slow release of niacin.
Each tablet contains
Medicinal ingredients: - Niacin (nicotinic acid) 475 mg
Non-medicinal ingredients: - Carbohydrate gum [cellulose], dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, silica, vegetable grade magnesium stearate (lubricant).
How it works
Niacin (B3) is a major factor in nervous system health and a cofactor for enzymes that are vital to energy production, circulatory health, and hormone levels. Metabolism of fat, cholesterol, and carbohydrates is regulated by niacin.
Cautions
People sensitive to nicotinic acid may experience flushing of the skin that is generally mild and transient.
Ingredients
- Carbohydrate gum
- Dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate
- Magnesium stearate
- Microcrystalline cellulose
- Silica
- Niacin : 475 mg