Product Information

A specific form of Vitamin B3. Useful for Cholesterol

Nicotinic Acid is a specific form of Vitamin B3. Nicotinic Acid supplements are manufactured by oxidizing Nicotine this is not a cause for alarm as Nicotinic Acid is not associated with any of the toxic effects attributable to Nicotine.

Health Benefits of Nicotinic Acid

These beneficial actions are attributable specifically to the Nicotinic Acid form of Vitamin B3 other beneficial actions of Nicotinic Acid are listed in the topic for "Vitamin B3".

Aging & Life Extension

Nicotinic Acid may possess Life Extension properties.

Cardiovascular System

• Nicotinic Acid may help to reverse Atherosclerosis.
• Nicotinic Acid may improve Blood Circulation.
• Nicotinic Acid may help to prevent abnormal Blood Clotting (by lowering elevated Fibrinogen levels).
• Nicotinic Acid (25 mg per day) may help to treat Chilblains.
• Nicotinic Acid (by improving Blood Circulation to limbs) may sometimes eliminate the need for the amputation of limbs in Gangrene cases.
• Nicotinic Acid may reduce Blood Pressure in Hypertension patients.
• Nicotinic Acid may help to prevent Heart Attacks and may reduce the recurrence rate for second Heart Attacks by 30%.
• Nicotinic Acid (especially the Inositol Hexanicotinate form 4,000 mg per day for at least three months) may alleviate Intermittent Claudication by improving Blood Circulation to the legs.
• Nicotinic Acid (especially the Inositol Hexanicotinate form) may alleviate Raynaud’s Disease by improving Blood Circulation to the hands and feet.
• Nicotinic Acid may help to prevent Stroke.

Digestive System

Nicotinic Acid may alleviate Hypochlorhydria.

Hair

Nicotinic Acid (applied topically to the Scalp) may help to improve Blood Circulation to the Scalp (and may thereby help to retard Hair Loss). Oral administration of 35 mg of Nicotinic Acid per day may also help to retard Hair Loss.

Immune System

Nicotinic Acid may reduce the mortality rate of Cancer patients and may help to prevent some forms of Cancer:

Nicotinic Acid may reduce the rate of recurrence of Bladder Cancer in people treated with Gamma-Rays in Radiation Therapy.
Nicotinic Acid may help to prevent Endometrial Cancer.

Metabolism

Nicotinic Acid (2,000 3,000 mg per day) may lower serum Cholesterol:

Nicotinic Acid may increase HDL Cholesterol by 33%.
Nicotinic Acid may lower elevated LDL Cholesterol levels.
The Cholesterol lowering effect of Nicotinic Acid is achieved by interfering with a Liver enzyme that helps to produce endogenous Cholesterol.
Nicotinic Acid may reduce the body's levels of VLDL Cholesterol.

Nicotinic Acid may inhibit Cross-Linking.
Nicotinic Acid may lower elevated Lipoprotein (a) levels by up to 35%.
Nicotinic Acid (1,200 2,000 mg per day) may lower serum levels of Triglycerides (by up to 52%).

Musculoskeletal System

Nicotinic Acid may alleviate Muscle Cramps that are caused by poor Blood Circulation.

Nervous System

• Nicotinic Acid (1,000 3,000 mg) may terminate the Hallucinations and other symptoms of LSD "trips" within one hour of Nicotinic Acid ingestion.
• Nicotinic Acid may improve Memory in normal, otherwise-healthy, middle-aged adults by 10% to 40%:
• Nicotinic Acid may improve Short-Term Memory.
• Nicotinic Acid may alleviate the symptoms of Meniere’s Disease.
• Nicotinic Acid (administered by IV injection) may improve the condition of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients.
• Nicotinic Acid is highly beneficial for the treatment of (the Trigeminal Neuralgia form of) Neuralgia.
• Nicotinic Acid may be useful for the treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome.
• Nicotinic Acid may alleviate Schizophrenia (it functions as a methyl scavenger and may therefore deactivate Adrenochrome a compound that has been implicated in Schizophrenia).

Respiratory System

Nicotinic Acid may help to control Asthma attacks.

Sexual System

Nicotinic Acid may enhance Sexual Performance (by triggering the Histamine release that occurs during Orgasm).

Nicotinic Acid may Enhance the Function of these Substances

Factors

Two molecules of Nicotinic Acid are essential components of Glucose Tolerance Factor (GTF).

Hormones

Nicotinic Acid prevents the degradation of Adrenaline to Noradrenochrome (due to its role in the production of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide).
Nicotinic Acid (taken on an empty stomach) stimulates the release of Human Growth Hormone (hGH) from the Pituitary Gland:

This effect does not occur when Nicotinic Acid is consumed with Food or on a full Stomach.

Lipids

Nicotinic Acid stimulates the release of Prostaglandin D2 in the Skin (Prostaglandin D2 is the cause of the flushing of the Skin that occurs with Nicotinic Acid consumption).

Nicotinic Acid may Counteract these Potentially Toxic Substances

Proteins

Nicotinic Acid may lower elevated Fibrinogen levels.

Recreational Drugs

Nicotinic Acid (500 mg per day) may reduce the craving for Alcohol in persons afflicted with Alcoholism.
Nicotinic Acid (1,000 3,000 mg) may terminate the Hallucinations and other symptoms of LSD "trips" within one hour of Nicotinic Acid ingestion.
Nicotinic Acid may reduce the toxic effects of Nicotine.

Neurotoxins

Nicotinic Acid may protect the body against excessive production of Adrenochrome and may reduce the toxic effects of Adrenochrome.

These Substances may Enhance the Function of Nicotinic Acid

Amino Acids

Picolinic Acid (an isomer of Nicotinic Acid) can be manufactured within the body from Tryptophan 60 mg of Tryptophan can generate 1 mg of Picolinic Acid).

Vitamins

Niacinamide can be converted within the body to Nicotinic Acid (however Nicotinic Acid cannot be reconverted back to Niacinamide).

These Substances may Counteract the Potential Side Effects of Nicotinic Acid

Alkaloids

Betaine (especially the Trimethylglycine (TMG) form of Betaine) may help to prevent the Liver damage that can occur with high-dose Nicotinic Acid therapy.

Side Effects of Nicotinic Acid

The cautions that apply generally to Vitamin B3 also apply to the Nicotinic Acid form of Vitamin B3. The side effects of Nicotinic Acid do not occur with the use of the Inositol Hexanicotinate form of Nicotinic Acid.

Digestive System

Nicotinic Acid may (rarely) cause Diarrhea when supplemented at dosages above 100 mg per day.
Nicotinic Acid may (rarely) cause Nausea when supplemented at dosages above 100 mg per day.
If Nicotinic Acid is continually consumed on an empty Stomach, it may cause the release of excessive Hydrochloric Acid within the Stomach which may increase the risk of Peptic Ulcers.

Metabolism

The Cholesterol-lowering effect of mega doses of Nicotinic Acid is due to its interference with a liver enzyme that helps to manufacture endogenous Cholesterol. Excessive interference with this enzyme may cause Liver damage in some persons.

Musculoskeletal System

Nicotinic Acid may (rarely) cause Muscle Cramps when supplemented at dosages above 100 mg per day.

Nervous System

Nicotinic Acid may (rarely) cause Headaches when supplemented at dosages above 100 mg per day.

Skin

Nicotinic Acid may cause Dry Skin when supplemented at dosages above 2,000 mg per day.
Nicotinic Acid may cause Erythema (red flushing of the Skin) especially when it is consumed on an empty Stomach (this side effect is generally harmless it occurs as a result of dilation of the Capillaries that service the Skin and usually only persists for a period of one hour maximum). The Erythema caused by Nicotinic Acid consumption occurs as a result of Prostaglandin D2 release stimulated by Nicotinic Acid.

Contraindications

Cardiovascular System

Arrhythmias patients should consult a doctor before using the Nicotinic Acid form of Vitamin B3.

Pharmaceutical Drugs

High-dose Nicotinic Acid (greater than 1,000 mg of Nicotinic Acid per day) should not be used concurrently with HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (such as Lovastatin or Red Yeast Rice) as this combination increases the risk of Rhabdomyolysis.

Nicotinic Acid may Enhance these Toxic Substances

Amino Acids

Excessive consumption of Nicotinic Acid may increase Homocysteine levels.

Forms of Nicotinic Acid

Inositol Hexanicotinate (also known as Hexanicotinoyl Inositol, IHN, Inositol Hexaniacinate or Inositol Niacinate; Inositol Nicotinate) consists of one molecule of Inositol bound to six molecules of Nicotinic Acid (by weight, 10% Inositol + 90% Nicotinic Acid). Chemically, it is the hexanicotinic acid ester of Inositol. Inositol Hexanicotinate is absorbed intact and then hydrolzyed within the body to release “free” Nicotinic Acid and Inositol. Inositol Hexanicotinate is metabolized more slowly than “free” Nicotinic Acid it does not reach maximum Blood Serum levels until approximately 10 hours after its oral ingestion:

This form of Nicotinic Acid is primarily used as a non-flushing, sustained-release form of Nicotinic Acid and is regarded by some experts as the optimal form of Nicotinic Acid. The side effects associated with regular Nicotinic Acid do not occur with Inositol Hexanicotinate.
Inositol Hexanicotinate is regarded as the safest form of supplemental Nicotinic Acid and can be safely used in doses of up to 4,000 mg per day.

Picolinic Acid is an isomer of Nicotinic Acid (but which possesses different therapeutic properties to Nicotinic Acid).
Xanthinol Nicotinate is a synthetic form of Nicotinic Acid consisting of Nicotinic Acid bound to Xanthinol. It is classed as a Pharmaceutical Drug and as a Smart Drug.

Bioavailability

Inositol Hexanicotinate

The Inositol Hexanicotinate form of Nicotinic Acid is absorbed intact and then hydrolzyed within the body to release “free” Nicotinic Acid and Inositol. Inositol Hexanicotinate is metabolized more slowly than “free” Nicotinic Acid it does not reach maximum Blood Serum levels until approximately ten hours after its oral ingestion.

Nicotinic Acid

Nicotinic Acid is absorbed via the Small Intestines and the Stomach.

Dosage Recommendations

The dosage of Nicotinic Acid that has been shown in clinical trials to stimulate the release of Human Growth Hormone from the Pituitary Gland is 200 500 mg per day.

The dosage of Nicotinic Acid that has been demonstrated to reduce the craving for Alcohol (ethanol) is 500 mg per day.

The dosage of Nicotinic Acid to prevent Dementia varies according to one’s age:

At age 20 29, 100 mg may be effective.
At age 30 39, 200 mg may be effective
At age 40 49, 500 mg may be effective.
People over the age of 50 may require a daily dose of 1,000 mg to help prevent Dementia.

The recommended dosage of the Inositol Hexanicotinate form of Nicotinic Acid for lipid-lowering purposes and for improving conditions related to the Cardiovascular System is 1,500 mg 4,000 mg per day, usually taken in two to three divided dosages during the day. Doses of up to 4,000 mg per day of Inositol Hexanicotinate per day are regarded as safe.

The dosage of Nicotinic Acid that lowers serum Cholesterol levels is 1,000 2,000 mg per day. Caution: This is a high dosage of Nicotinic Acid and should only be used on the advice of a health professional.

It is recommended that persons using supplemental Nicotinic Acid for managing their Cholesterol levels, consume their dosage at night time (as most persons sleep during the “flushing period”; in addition this timing is likely to produce better results as most endogenous Cholesterol is produced by the Liver during the night).

Chemical Data

Nicotinic Acid is a white crystalline compound that is soluble in hot Water and is reasonably stable in heat, light, acids and alkalis.

Chemical Names

Carboxypyridine
Pyridine-3-carboxylic Acid
Pyridine Carboxylic Acid
Pyridine-beta-carboxilic acid
m-pyridinecarboxilic acid
Pyridine-3-carbonic acid

Nicotine Acid

Pyridine-beta-carboxylic acid
3-Pyridine Carboxylic acid