A comment on niacin. The recommendation to use such high doses only under doctor supervision needs to be underscored several times. Niacin can alter liver function in a bad way. Doses over about 1000 mg per day definitely should be monitored. Personally, I wouldn't go above about 800 mg without checking liver enzymes periodically.
Often, niacin at doses up to 3000 mg daily is used for high cholesterol, or at least used to be prior to all the statin drugs. Most people can't tolerate the flushing which can be quite intense and last 30 minutes or longer, but the body eventually adjusts and reacts less or not at all. Think of it as like an allergic reaction or an intense orgasmic flush (same mechanism) that causes you to burn and itch from the soles of your feet to the top of your head, and you will turn bright red all over. In fact, if timed correctly, a small dose of niacin prior to sex can make the orgasm more intense. There is "flush-free" inositol hexaniacinate or inositol hexanicotinate. Unfortunately, the inositol it contains can cause diarrhea at high doses so ramp up slowly.
Also, high doses of niacin can alter glucose tolerance and elevate blood glucose levels so diabetics and those with metabolic syndrome (or whatever it is being called these days) need to be careful and monitor their blood sugar.
Definitely stay away from timed-release niacin as it is linked with death for some reason.
Sorry, I don't have any references on any of this, but I'm sure much of it can be confirmed with a Google search or a search of the Life Extension Foundation website (www.lef.org) since I've been getting most of my supplement and health information from, and have been a member of, LEF for about 30 years.
Often, niacin at doses up to 3000 mg daily is used for high cholesterol, or at least used to be prior to all the statin drugs. Most people can't tolerate the flushing which can be quite intense and last 30 minutes or longer, but the body eventually adjusts and reacts less or not at all. Think of it as like an allergic reaction or an intense orgasmic flush (same mechanism) that causes you to burn and itch from the soles of your feet to the top of your head, and you will turn bright red all over. In fact, if timed correctly, a small dose of niacin prior to sex can make the orgasm more intense. There is "flush-free" inositol hexaniacinate or inositol hexanicotinate. Unfortunately, the inositol it contains can cause diarrhea at high doses so ramp up slowly.
Also, high doses of niacin can alter glucose tolerance and elevate blood glucose levels so diabetics and those with metabolic syndrome (or whatever it is being called these days) need to be careful and monitor their blood sugar.
Definitely stay away from timed-release niacin as it is linked with death for some reason.
Sorry, I don't have any references on any of this, but I'm sure much of it can be confirmed with a Google search or a search of the Life Extension Foundation website (www.lef.org) since I've been getting most of my supplement and health information from, and have been a member of, LEF for about 30 years.