Niacin and B5

[AnaKat]

Is there any reason why one should not be taking high dose niacin and high dose B5 simultaneously?

Are there any supplements one should avoid when taking high dose B5?

[johnjackson]

Is there any reason why one should not be taking high dose niacin and high dose B5 simultaneously?

Are there any supplements one should avoid when taking high dose B5?

how much is a "high dose"?
why would you take B5?

[pamojja]

Is there any reason why one should not be taking high dose niacin and high dose B5 simultaneously?

Are there any supplements one should avoid when taking high dose B5?

None to both. On the contrary, B vitamins are metabolically highly interrelated, increasing one naturally increases the need for others. And not adjusting can create bottlenecks. For example high dose niacin can increase methylation, possibly increasing needs of B6, B9, B12 and choline/TMG.

However, any supplement could cause an adverse or allergic reaction by the other ingredients of any supplements alone. Therefore it is always wise to start with a low dose and increase gradually over month and years. That way any adverse reaction wont be that severe. And if a co-nutrient is in higher need, its easier doses to be adjusted before becoming too severe.

[johnjackson]

Hey, pamojja,
you seem knowledageble,
why when I daily take 250mg niacin, i dont get the flush daily, instead, rarely
is it related to food I eat before I take it? or something else?

[pamojja]

why when I daily take 250mg niacin, i dont get the flush daily, instead, rarely

With longer use the flush gets less and less. Some medication like aspirin can make one flush less. Different foods, more water, if it's consumed cold or hot can all make a difference.

I take 6g every second day and rarely get even a slight flush anymore. When I started even 170 mgs did cause the flush very severe.

[johnjackson]

so you dont know why the flush happens either, eh
you take 6 grams every other day?
dang
I can only find 250mg and 500mg pills

why do you take so much?
Niacin lowers production of Lp(a)? and helps cholestrol profile,...so saw a change in lp(a)/cholestrol values from taking so much niacin?

[pamojja]

so you dont know why the flush happens either, eh

I answered your question why the flush is felt differently each time. You didn't ask why the flush happens. Even wikipedia would have the answer for:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niacin#Facial_flushing

Prostaglandin (PGD2) is the primary cause of the flushing reaction, with serotonin appearing to have a secondary role in this reaction.[19] The effect is mediated by prostaglandin E2 and D2 due to GPR109A activation of epidermal Langerhans cells and keratinocytes.[20][21] Langerhans cells use cyclooxygenase type 1 (COX-1) for PGE2 production and are more responsible for acute flushing, while keratinocytes are COX-2 dependent and are in active continued vasodilation.[22][23] Flushing was often thought to involve histamine, but histamine has been shown not to be involved in the reaction.[19]

I can only find 250mg and 500mg pills

And? Why one can't just take 12 of the 500mg pills?

why do you take so much?

In my case diet changes, lifestyle changes and comprehensive supplementation according to individual needs - including high dose niacin - helped overcome a walking-disabilty considered non-reversible by conventional medicine.

[johnjackson]

so you dont know why the flush happens either, eh

I answered your question why the flush is felt differently each time. You didn't ask why the flush happens. Even wikipedia would have the answer for:

And? Why one can't just take 12 of the 500mg pills?

why do you take so much?

In my case diet changes, lifestyle changes and comprehensive supplementation according to individual needs - including high dose niacin - helped overcome a walking-disabilty considered non-reversible by conventional medicine.

you did answer my question, but not with something i could use
4*5=?
montana(that's an answer)

my question was why do i get a flush sometimes and not other times, what CAUSES the flush?(recall,. 500mg/night)
Im not trying to be a jerk/etc, we seem to be having understanding each other is all.

Yes! you can take 12 pills! That's just not what I hoped you did!
--I'm glad the niacin has helped you!
I'm trying to get my dad to take niacin, but he took it once, got the flush and said, never again

[AnaKat]

Thanks for your response Pamojja

You are taking a very high dose of niacin - can you tell me how you worked up to that dose? I am currently trying to work up to about 3 grams a day, but I've had to stop due to some adverse reactions - heart palpitations, racing heart, extreme fatigue, nausea.

I worked up to 1.5 grams over 2 weeks and then had to stop. I'm considering starting again and increasing the dose more slowly - I'm hoping that will help. Or do these symptoms mean I should not take niacin at all? Thanks for any insights.

[AnaKat]

I'm trying to get my dad to take niacin, but he took it once, got the flush and said, never again[/quote]

There are other forms of niacin that do not cause a flush. Why does your dad need niacin? Niacinamide doesn't cause the flush, but it doesn't lower cholesterol. Inositol hexanicotinate also doesn't cause the flush, and it does lower cholesterol but not as effectively as niacin.

[pamojja]

Thanks for your response Pamojja

You are taking a very high dose of niacin - can you tell me how you worked up to that dose?

I started with 166 mg by taking a third out of a 500 mg capsule first. Got a very strong flush, but in a few days after it got lighter and then added a few more milligrams, and so on every few days. Taking it with a large meal, along a baby-aspirin (if you tolerate, I need to take it with phosphatidylcholine to avoid bleeding), or just before going to sleep helps to alleviates the flush too. Start low and increase slow. No need to rush.