As the world is becoming more health-conscious, people are looking to add nutrients to their daily diet through the use of supplements that enhance the mind and body. Niacin is one supplement that is known to provide excellent results for your heart, skin, and mental health.
This water-soluble vitamin is present in some food items, can be added to several products, and is also available as a supplement. You can learn more about the benefits of niacin by checking out this niacin fact sheet.
For this review, we researched the best niacin powder products available on the market and picked out the six best options for your needs. We hope this article helps you make an informed decision about this dietary supplement.
Quick Guide
In a hurry? We’ve put together a condensed list to help you make an informed decision based on the key characteristic most important to you.
Best in Powder Form: BulkSupplements Niacin Powder
“I used to take Zoloft which comes with side effects, and takes two weeks to work. This niacin supplement however worked in 2 days to relieve my mild anxiety. It is a flushing niacin, so be prepared to be red and hot for about half an hour, but it is well, well worth it”
Best Overall: Nature’s Bounty Niacin Tablets
“After taking a single capsule once a day my cholesterol was significantly lower than it had been before, so if that’s important to you then I would recommend this brand. Purity seems high and the packaging is great as always.”
Best Alternative: Now Supplements Niacin
“Selected this product for brand familiarity as Niacin was recently recommended for elevated lab values. Didn’t anticipate side effects however have always taken it at night so that if there were any I might sleep through them. I get no flushing or itching or anything that I am aware of. I experience no upset stomach or diarrhea related to taking supplements for health.”
Best Budget #1: Doctor’s Best Niacin Tablets
“Been taking one tablet once a day in the morning for three years now and it made a dent in my cholesterol levels at the doctor’s office. Has definitely pushed me back into the “good” zone.”
Best Budget #2: Nutricost Niacin Tablets
“So many reasons for everyone to be taking niacin daily. I have taken a lot of b3 supplements. These 500 are smaller than most. Great for clearing toxins from your body (take with b complex for max benefit). Lower cholesterol is easy.”
Best Splurge: Nature Made Niacin
“I used this product on doctor’s advice to lower triglyceride number. In a year’s time I dropped 100 points.”
1. BulkSupplements Niacin Powder
Vitamin B3 powder takes care of your heart by regulating and promoting normal cholesterol levels in the body. Paired with a balanced diet and regular exercise, this supplement will take care of your heart health by increasing lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity. LPL helps the body break down triglycerides into free fatty acids causing a release of energy, which prevents fats from building up on artery walls and increasing blood pressure. This in turn will decrease the likelihood of having a heart attack.
Besides being beneficial for your heart, this product can also help you look younger for a longer period of time by improving the elasticity of your skin cells. This is vital to skin health and may be the extra edge you need to maintain that youthful look. Niacin powder can help people with different skin types including those with sensitive skin.
This powder can also improve brain health. Niacin can help promote mental health, energy, and clarity by supporting your brain and nervous system.
However, there are several disadvantages you should keep in mind when it comes to this product. Niacin is known to cause significant hot flashes in the body. You might experience symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, and body shaking if your body is not used to the supplement. Because of this, it is recommended that you start with a smaller dose before taking the full suggested serving size.
Specifications
- Brand: BulkSupplements
- Form: Powder
- Supplement type: Oral
- Serving Size: 500mg
- Servings per Container: 1000
- Package dimensions: 11.02 x 6.77 x 1.34 inches
- Item weight: 1.1 pounds
Pros
- Promotes mental health and a better nervous system, leading to improved mood and clarity
- Improves skin elasticity and gives a younger appearance
- Strengthens heart health by preventing buildup of fats on artery walls
Cons
- Known to cause hot flashes
- Side effects might include diarrhea, nausea, and body shaking
2. Nature’s Bounty Niacin Tablets
An important aspect of this supplement is that it is flash-free. Unlike the previous product, you will not experience hot flashes after consuming this tablet.
As evident from the benefits of niacin, these tablets can help you obtain healthier skin, give you more energy, improve your mental health, and improve your heart health without any unwanted side effects.
This product, however, is not suitable for pregnant or nursing women. Even though the product is flash-free, it may cause issues if you have sensitive skin that is prone to rashes.
Specifications
- Brand: Nature’s Bounty
- Form: Tablets
- Supplement type: Oral
- Dosage: 500 mg
- Number of capsules: 120
Pros
- Comes in a tablet form for convenience
- Flash-free for people who do not want the side effects associated with niacin
- Can be used to obtain healthier skin and mental clarity, and improve heart health
Cons
- Should not be used by pregnant or nursing women
- Some side effects may be experienced by people with sensitive skin
3. Now Supplements Niacin
If you want to experience the least amount of side effects, you should avoid missing doses and take the supplement daily. The supplement is also gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, and vegan to ensure that it fits in with everyone’s diet regardless of allergies or dietary restrictions.
The product claims to be free of artificial colors, flavor, saccharin, sulfites, hidden steroids, hydrogenated oils, and unlabeled allergens. This ensures that you’re consuming a product that is entirely safe for your body.
Even though the tablets are sustained-release, you should expect some type of hot flash if it’s the first dose of the day. Some people experience discomfort with the tablets while taking larger doses. If you’re not used to the supplement, taking it in smaller doses might help your body adjust to the product.
Specifications
- Brand: Now
- Form: Tablets
- Supplement type: Oral
- Dosage: 500 mg
- Number of capsules: 250
Pros
- Affordable option for people who are looking for B3 supplements on a budget
- Comes with 250 pills so it lasts longer
- Pills come in a sustained-release form, making them less likely to cause hot flashes as a side effect
Cons
- You might experience hot flashes if you miss a dose
- Not the best fit for people who want their niacin supplements in a powder form
4. Doctor’s Best Niacin Tablets
You can expect to receive the usual benefits associated with niacin, including improved mental health, heart health, and better-looking skin. The product supports more than 500 enzymatic reactions that are intended to improve your body’s metabolism and energy production.
There are some claims, however, that slow-releasing niacin may have a negative impact on your liver if used for an extended period of time. As a result, this product is not recommended for people who suffer from liver issues or pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Specifications
- Brand: Doctor’s Best
- Form: Tablets
- Supplement type: Oral
- Dosage: 500 mg
- Number of capsules: 120
Pros
- 8-hour extended-release to reduce the likelihood of side effects
- Vegan and gluten-free for people with allergies and dietary restrictions
- Helps promote heart, skin, and mental health
Cons
- Not suitable for pregnant or nursing women
- Might cause issues with liver health; not recommended for people with liver issues
5. Nutricost Niacin Tablets
The tablets are also non-GMO and gluten-free, making them suitable for people with allergies or dietary restrictions. Make sure that you do not take these tablets on an empty stomach, as it may increase the likelihood of side effects like hot flashes, diarrhea, and nausea.
With 500 mg of niacin per capsule, you can expect a beneficial dose even if you only take one tablet a day. People trying to lower their cholesterol levels, however, might require higher doses.
Some verified purchasers complained that the pills are inconsistent. In some instances, users noticed sporadic hot flashes that indicated that the tablets were working. However, some days the tablets did not produce a hot flash, making users believe that not all of the tablets worked the same.
Specifications
- Brand: Nutricost
- Form: Tablets
- Supplement type: Oral
- Dosage: 500 mg
- Number of capsules: 240
Pros
- Non-GMO tablets
- Gluten-free for people who are allergic to gluten
- 500 mg dosage for optimal results
Cons
- Immediate-release tablets may cause hot flashes
- Some inconsistency in results reported
6. Nature Made Niacin
The product also claims to cause zero hot flashes by using ingredients that do not cause traditional side effects. The recommended dosage is one pill per day, which means a single bottle should last 60 days.
The high-quality ingredients used in the product ensure the tablets are free from synthetic dyes, artificial flavors, and preservatives. However, these claims have not been verified by the FDA.
Specifications
- Brand: Nature Made
- Form: Softgel
- Supplement type: Oral
- Dosage: 500 mg
- Number of capsules: 60
Pros
- No added preservatives or flavors, making it ideal for people looking for an all-natural product
- Enough supply for 60 days
- No hot flashes as a side effect
Cons
- More expensive than other options
- Not FDA-approved
The Bottom Line
Taking niacin supplements is an excellent way to improve your heart health, as it lowers cholesterol and prevents plaque buildup on your artery walls. Besides this, the supplements can also help improve your skin and mental health.
We hope that this article has helped you determine which niacin powder or tablet is the best fit for you and your particular situation. Please check out our other articles on supplements that will help you improve your quality of life.
References
- Niacin Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Retrieved from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Niacin-HealthProfessional/
- PromindBuild, Mind Lab Pro Review. Retrieved from https://promindbuild.com/mind-lab-pro-review/
