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Ageless Forever Anti-Aging News Blog

Niacin, aka vitamin B3 – what you need to know about potential side effects

In previous articles I have talked about the multiple beneficial effects of niacin supplementation – on both lipids (blood fats and cholesterol) and non-lipid outcomes.
 
While flushing is often reported to be the main side-effect of niacin supplementation, the flush is a natural reaction to high-dose niacin, and is not dangerous. Thus, while some people may find it uncomfortable, it is not a harmful side-effect. For more on that, see “Niacin - How to Beat the Flush
 
Other, potentially harmful side effects, are liver strain/damage, insulin resistance and blood glucose elevations, and uric acid elevations.[1] Here I will summarize what research shows on the severity of these side effects, and whether it is something you should worry about… 
 
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Got Elevated Liver Enzymes? - Here's How To Interpret Your Liver Function Tests

 

Both exercise, supplements, medications and drugs may cause blood elevations of enzymes that are commonly included in liver function and/or liver disease testing - alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP).[1-6]
 
Elevations in these enzymes are one of the most common "problems" encountered in everyday clinical practice.[7] 
 
But how does one distinguish pathological elevations vs. those caused by intense exercise?
 
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