[workin2005]

The Niacin "Flush"

It's important to note that this niacin flush is not harmful or dangerous. Some people worry about it, but it is actually a sign of improved blood flow.
When you get the niacin "flush", it's an indication that the niacin is causing small blood vessels in your body to be expanded in size. Many of your small blood vessels, called "capilaries" are so small that blood cells can only go through them in single file. Sometimes, in fact, that small capilary passageway is clogged and blood doesn't get through at all.

While the large organs of the body all have blood supplied from large arteries, a great deal of your body, particularly the parts near the skin, get their ONLY supply of blood (therefore also of oxygen and nutrients) from these small capillaries.
The niacin causes these small capilaries to expand - so they might be able to carry 2 or 3 blood cells at the same time. This is a tremendous increase in blood flow.
You experience this as a "flushing" of the skin, simply because there is more blood close to the surface of the body. As the blood flows in these areas, the cells of the small capilaries will also be getting rid of their waste products, and often they produce 'histamine' as part of this process. That histamine is another natural substance produced by every cell in the body when a cell is under attack, or is eliminating toxins. Histamine causes an 'itchy' feeling.

The role of niacin in detoxification

Niacin opens blood vessels wider. Niacin, when used properly, offers benefits in terms of cholesterol reduction, as well as for detoxification. People with high cholesterol levels should see improvements once their follow the proper diet of raw foods, preferably through a good juicing program, along with the proper healing fats in their diet. However for people who don't respond, it would seem that niacin would be a far safer and less expensive alternative to the statin drugs, which have their serious complications.
Niacin is a water-soluble B vitamin – vitamin B3 - and the common name for 2 very different compounds: "nicotinic acid" and "niacinamide". High doses of niacin (as nicotinic acid) can lower cholesterol levels (although the exact mechanism of action is still not known). The other form of niacin (nicotinamide or niacinamide) does not open blood vessels wider nor provide a cholesterol-lowering effect.

Niacin and detoxification of fatty tissues

There are many 'detoxification programs' on the internet, but few of them acknowledge the significant fact that many toxins are stored in FATTY TISSUES. Until that fact is acknowledged, one can not develop a procedure for removing toxins from THAT location.

Until the Ron Hubbard purification program was developed, no one had even yet recognized that these oil soluble toxins had such long-term effects in the body.
An important characteristic of the Hubbard detoxification program is the use of niacin. Niacin has the well-known effect of causing "vasodilation", often called the niacin flush, which is an opening of the small blood vessels, the capillaries, so that more blood flows through them. These are the blood vessels which are of most value in reaching fatty tissues. In this way the toxins which are stored in these fatty tissues can be removed, into the bloodstream, and processed out of the body. However, niacin is also made in the form of niacinamide - a form of vitamin B3 which, deliberately, is manufactured so that it will NOT cause dilation of the blood vessels - the flush so well known when using plain niacin. A detoxification program which features the use of niacinamide and also claims to improve blood circulation would be based on false science.
Some detoxification programs don't even recognize that the toxins they claim to be removing are stored in fatty tissues. The idea of removing these toxins by some procedure which does not include niacin is not practical.

Workin

[HairyLarry35]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to workin2005 again.

[Mr.50]

Workin,

I wanted to experience the difference between nicotinic acid and niacinamide before buying Poseiden. I bought some time released nicotinic Acid yesterday (500mgs) and took one this morning on an empty stomach. About a half hour later I started to get the flush, I felt like I had the worst sunburn all over my whole body, especially face, and my skin hurt to touch as well as being slightly itchy. Then I felt slightly short of breath (heart rate and BP were normal, I tested) and it has lessened in the last few hours but it is still there. While I am impressed with the effect it is at the point that I almost find it annoying (especially since my skin is still sensitive to the touch like sunburn). I am wondering if that is because of the time release? Does this indicate I really needed the niacin? Will the flush effect start to lessen with repeated use? THoughts?

Mr.50

[prld2gr8ns]

500mg is a real hefty dose on Niacin even if it's time release. Could be that you may have just taken to much at a time and to much was release at once. It could be a really good sign of detoxing what with the slight itch caused by histamine release, but personally I think it may have just been to much being released over a prolonged period of time(Poseidon gives about 75mg/serv). From personal experience the flush does subside or lessen with prolonged use. I rarely even get one know with my daily doses of Poseidon.

[Mr.50]

It is interesting. I wonder if some of the effects are exacerbated because I have been going tanning. I went yesterday and I did not get burned but the parts of my skin that are usually most likely to get burned are the ones that are most itchy. Really interesting but I am sure interested in the detoxification effects becasue I suspect I could really use some detox.

Mr.50

Originally Posted by prld2gr8ns

500mg is a real hefty dose on Niacin even if it's time release. Could be that you may have just taken to much at a time and to much was release at once. It could be a really good sign of detoxing what with the slight itch caused by histamine release, but personally I think it may have just been to much at once(Poseidon gives about 75mg/serv). From personal experience the flush does subside or lessen with prolonged use. I rarely even get one know with my daily doses of Poseidon.

[Beau]

Although not helpful initially, your body does tend to lessen the niacin flush reaction over time.

Were it me (and it has been), I would take it with food, at night prior to bed and together with an aspirin.

[Mr.50]

ah, thanks.

Originally Posted by Beau

Although not helpful initially, your body does tend to lessen the niacin flush reaction over time.

Were it me (and it has been), I would take it with food, at night prior to bed and together with an aspirin.

[workin2005]

Originally Posted by prld2gr8ns

500mg is a real hefty dose on Niacin even if it's time release. Could be that you may have just taken to much at a time and to much was release at once. It could be a really good sign of detoxing what with the slight itch caused by histamine release, but personally I think it may have just been to much being released over a prolonged period of time(Poseidon gives about 75mg/serv). From personal experience the flush does subside or lessen with prolonged use. I rarely even get one know with my daily doses of Poseidon.

I agree with prld2gr8ns. 500mgs is a LARGE amount all at once. Granted it's time released, but in my experience, not all time released forms of niacin actually are "TIME RELEASED".

It does sound like your body was getting a good detox effect...just to much of one. I would recommend taking Poseidon with a protein shake to start off with. Once you've been on for a week, start taking it on an empty stomach. The flush will lessen the longer you take Poseidon as your body will begin ridding itself of toxins. Keep us posted on your progress!

Workin

[tremelo24]

Workin, I've noticed that when I take Poseidon within 5-6 hours of training (and the following morning), I get MAJOR niacin flush. I never get it otherwise. I train 'balls to the wall' and would imagine that I create a good deal of waste byproducts in the process. In any case, I just wanted to add my two cents and say that what I'm experiencing seems to tie in with your post.

The first time this happened I didn't know what to think. I trained, came home took a shower and relaxed in my chair. I downed a serving of Poseidon and did a little meditation. About 15 minutes later I felt my ears burning, then noticed my elbows felt pretty warm as well. I looked in a mirror and saw my naturally tan skin BRIGHT almost NEON pink on my ears and elbows. It went away within about 20 minutes. Fortunately I had already read this post of yours so it didn't freak me out. Otherwise...

[Jayhawkk]

I think it's funny when I get one in the gym and my whole body turns beat red. Some people have that look on their face lie i'm going to explode :P

[rpen22]

Niacin is no joke. I took 300mg of straight Niacin before pumping up and going onstage for prejudging on Saturday and I felt like I was literally on FIRE. It was awesome and definitely brought out my vascularity even more.

[prld2gr8ns]

Originally Posted by tremelo24

Workin, I've noticed that when I take Poseidon within 5-6 hours of training (and the following morning), I get MAJOR niacin flush. I never get it otherwise. I train 'balls to the wall' and would imagine that I create a good deal of waste byproducts in the process. In any case, I just wanted to add my two cents and say that what I'm experiencing seems to tie in with your post.

The first time this happened I didn't know what to think. I trained, came home took a shower and relaxed in my chair. I downed a serving of Poseidon and did a little meditation. About 15 minutes later I felt my ears burning, then noticed my elbows felt pretty warm as well. I looked in a mirror and saw my naturally tan skin BRIGHT almost NEON pink on my ears and elbows. It went away within about 20 minutes. Fortunately I had already read this post of yours so it didn't freak me out. Otherwise...

Yep anytime you take some niacin or Poseidon on a empty or even partially empty stomach you'll get some good tingling going on. That just shows that it's working it's magic. If it bothers you, just take it with a good old protein drink or some other lite beverage, that will quench the flush somewhat.

[prld2gr8ns]

Originally Posted by Jayhawkk

I think it's funny when I get one in the gym and my whole body turns beat red. Some people have that look on their face lie i'm going to explode :P

Are you sure that's because of the flush?

[Mr.50]

If you take the Niacin with food and do not get the flush does that mean it is not doing its work to detoxify?

Mr.50

Originally Posted by prld2gr8ns

Yep anytime you take some niacin or Poseidon on a empty or even partially empty stomach you'll get some good tingling going on. That just shows that it's working it's magic. If it bothers you, just take it with a good old protein drink or some other lite beverage, that will quench the flush somewhat.

[prld2gr8ns]

Absorption of a lot of supps can be hindered by foo