Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, can be called a myriad of things such as nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, and niacinamide to name a few. It is a water-soluble vitamin that plays an essential role in energy metabolism in your body’s cells. It works closely with vitamin B1, B2, pantothenic acid and biotin which helps break down the carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in food that you eat to energy. This produces the energy in your body, allows for proper digestion and can eliminate the toxins in your body built up from what you eat and drink.

Niacin is essential in your body because it works in more than 50 metabolic functions. It opens the blood vessels in your body wider so that when used properly can reduce cholesterol and detoxify your body. It is regularly given out instead of prescription medication in the case of cholesterol because of how well it works. Without any side effects, it is considered far better than statin drugs.

There are also many cardiovascular benefits to niacin. Since it is lowering the bad cholesterol you can reduce strokes and heart attacks. It lowers the total and bad cholesterol by as much as 20% while increasing the good cholesterol by as much as 25%. When it releases the histamine that dilates the blood vessels it can produce heat, redness and sometimes itchiness which is known as the niacin “flush.” This is only temporary and aids in the circulation of the niacin through the blood. Since it dilates the capillaries of the brain as well it can be used for depression, dementia and schizophrenia as well as cholesterol lowering. It works to achieve mental clarity, and can even work to stabilize blood sugar. By relaxing the blood vessels as well it allows for better blood flow to all of the body including hands and feet and in high doses can prevent atherosclerosis which is the plaque that causes blockage to your heart.