What Is the Niacin Flush?

A niacin flush can be a temporary side effect of taking niacin; it's also a protocol used by some physicians to lower lipid profiles and boost heart health. Studies have shown that niacin flush benefits can include reduced LDL cholesterol, triglyceride levels and oxidative stress while increasing HDL cholesterol.

What Is Niacin?

Niacin is type of B vitamin that offers benefits for your whole body, from your brain to your skin. You can get niacin from meat, fish, nuts, or in supplement form.

Niacin is one of the eight B vitamins. It is also known as vitamin B3, an important nutrient needed by every part of the body to function properly. Niacin is water-soluble, so your body does not store it. This also means that your body can excrete excess amount of the vitamin through urine if they are not needed.

How Does Niacin Work?

As with all B vitamins, niacin helps convert food into energy by aiding enzymes. Specifically, niacin is a major component of NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and NADP (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate), two coenzymes involved in cellular metabolism. Additionally, niacin plays a role in cell signaling and making and repairing DNA, in addition to action as an antioxidant.

Health Benefits of Niacin

As a supplement, niacin may help lower cholesterol, ease arthritis, and boost brain function, among other benefits. (Consult with your healthcare professional regarding how much niacin is right for you.)