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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lostforwards on October 8, 2005, at 10:55:19
I've heard that niacin can cause liver damage. I'm currently taking 5g of niacin a day. Is that dangerous?
Posted by Declan on October 10, 2005, at 17:52:33
In reply to niacin, posted by lostforwards on October 8, 2005, at 10:55:19
Is it niacinamide that causes liver damage (and depression) at high doses, rather than niacin?
Declan
Posted by lostforwards on October 10, 2005, at 18:23:12
In reply to Re: niacin » lostforwards, posted by Declan on October 10, 2005, at 17:52:33
> Is it niacinamide that causes liver damage (and depression) at high doses, rather than niacin?
> DeclanI don't know. I'm just taking plain niacin.
Posted by linkadge on October 12, 2005, at 20:20:40
In reply to Re: niacin, posted by lostforwards on October 10, 2005, at 18:23:12
I know that it is the stuff that causes flusing that is bad for the liver.
Linkadge
Posted by tealady on October 14, 2005, at 2:34:04
In reply to niacin, posted by lostforwards on October 8, 2005, at 10:55:19
> I've heard that niacin can cause liver damage. I'm currently taking 5g of niacin a day. Is that dangerous?
I suspect that much would be..
I think maybe you should check on that dose?
100mg on niacin I tried once caused severe flushing for me. Not a nice feeling and something I won't repeat ever. Maybe you meant 5mg?or perhaps it wasn't just niacin or a different form like niacinamide?
Posted by lostforwards on October 14, 2005, at 15:21:42
In reply to Re: niacin » lostforwards, posted by tealady on October 14, 2005, at 2:34:04
> > I've heard that niacin can cause liver damage. I'm currently taking 5g of niacin a day. Is that dangerous?
>
> I suspect that much would be..
>
> I think maybe you should check on that dose?
> 100mg on niacin I tried once caused severe flushing for me. Not a nice feeling and something I won't repeat ever. Maybe you meant 5mg?
>
> or perhaps it wasn't just niacin or a different form like niacinamide?
>
>5000mg or 5grams daily.
Posted by JLx on October 14, 2005, at 16:25:19
In reply to Re: niacin, posted by lostforwards on October 14, 2005, at 15:21:42
Sounds like it's the time release type that is the most dangerous:
"Hepatotoxicity (liver cell damage), including elevated liver enzymes and jaundice, has been observed at intakes as low as 750 mg of nicotinic acid/day for less than 3 months (31, 32). Hepatitis has been observed with timed-release nicotinic acid on as little as 500 mg/day for 2 months, although almost all reports of severe hepatitis have been associated with the timed-release form of nicotinic acid at doses of 3 to 9 grams per day used to treat high cholesterol for months or years (8). Immediate-release (crystalline) nicotinic acid appears to be less toxic to the liver than extended release forms. Immediate-release nicotinic acid is often used at higher doses than timed-release forms, and severe liver toxicity has occurred in individuals who substituted timed-release niacin for immediate-release niacin at equivalent doses (30). Skin rashes and dry skin have been noted with nicotinic acid supplementation. Transient episodes of low blood pressure (hypotension) and headache have also been reported. Large doses of nicotinic acid have been observed to impair glucose tolerance, likely due to decreased insulin sensitivity. Impaired glucose-tolerance in susceptible (pre-diabetic) individuals could result in elevated blood glucose levels and clinical diabetes. Elevated blood levels of uric acid, occasionally resulting in attacks of gout in susceptible individuals, have also been observed with high-dose nicotinic acid therapy (32). Nicotinic acid at doses of 1.5 to 5 grams/day has resulted in a few case reports of blurred vision, and other eye problems, which have generally been reversible upon discontinuation. People with abnormal liver function or a history of liver disease, diabetes, active peptic ulcer disease, gout, cardiac arrhythmias, inflammatory bowel disease, migraine headaches, and alcoholism may be more susceptible to the adverse effects of excess nicotinic acid intake than the general population (8)." http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/niacin/
Dr. Abram Hoffer has used niacin a lot to treat schizophrenia and other conditions:
http://www.doctoryourself.com/hoffer_niacin.html
Depending on what you're taking the high dose niacin for, perhaps inositol hexaniacinate would work as well:
http://www.thorne.com/altmedrev/fulltext/inositol1-3.html
JL
> > > I've heard that niacin can cause liver damage. I'm currently taking 5g of niacin a day. Is that dangerous?
> >
> > I suspect that much would be..
> >
> > I think maybe you should check on that dose?
> > 100mg on niacin I tried once caused severe flushing for me. Not a nice feeling and something I won't repeat ever. Maybe you meant 5mg?
> >
> > or perhaps it wasn't just niacin or a different form like niacinamide?
> >
> >
>
> 5000mg or 5grams daily.
Posted by gromit on October 14, 2005, at 22:54:49
In reply to Re: niacin, posted by lostforwards on October 14, 2005, at 15:21:42
> 5000mg or 5grams daily.
Are you taking that much to lower cholestorol? The highest recommendation I've seen is 3 grams a day, for me that amount causes too much discomfort. I take 1.5 grams a day usually and an aspirin with each dose, that helps reduce the flush.
Does your doctor know you're taking that much? Mine is ok with taking niacin but she monitors my liver enzymes.
Rick
Posted by lostforwards on October 15, 2005, at 8:06:15
In reply to Re: niacin » lostforwards, posted by gromit on October 14, 2005, at 22:54:49
> > 5000mg or 5grams daily.
>
> Are you taking that much to lower cholestorol? The highest recommendation I've seen is 3 grams a day, for me that amount causes too much discomfort. I take 1.5 grams a day usually and an aspirin with each dose, that helps reduce the flush.
>
> Does your doctor know you're taking that much? Mine is ok with taking niacin but she monitors my liver enzymes.
>
>
> Rick
>I'm actually taking it because I feel a lack of motivation and feel terrible. I'm not sure if actually does anything. I don't really mind the flush. My doctor doesn't know I'm taking it.
Posted by gromit on October 18, 2005, at 2:26:46
In reply to Re: niacin, posted by lostforwards on October 15, 2005, at 8:06:15
> I'm actually taking it because I feel a lack of motivation and feel terrible. I'm not sure if actually does anything. I don't really mind the flush. My doctor doesn't know I'm taking it.
I'm sorry you're feeling so badly.
There is apparently some risk taking that much niacin. You said you're not sure if it actually does anything, if there are no obvious benefits why take the chance?
Rick
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