NIACIN DILATES BLOOD VESSELS & IMPROVES CIRCULATION TO AREAS STARVED OF OXYGEN & NUTRIENTS

First, a little background on Niacin.  Niacin is vitamin B3.

Niacin (or nicotinic acid) is another name for vitamin B3, which is 1 of 8 B vitamins needed by the body to break down fats and proteins and to convert carbohydrates into energy. There are two other forms of niacin, nicotinamide (or niacinamide) and inositol hexanicotinate, which serve as sources of vitamin B3. This is why they can be referred to as "niacin." What many people fail to realize, however, is that these forms of niacin do not work in the same way as niacin.

from Dr. David Williamson on "The Many Benefits of Niacin"

PLAIN NIACIN IS AMAZING

Niacin (or nicotinic acid as it’s referred to in medical circles) was the third B vitamin to be discovered (hence the name B3). It wasn’t until about 1943, though, that a couple of doctors reported that niacin worked wonders in relieving the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis. Unfortunately, their research was never well publicized, since that was around the time that drug companies were promoting their own miracle “cure” for arthritis—cortisone.

Niacin has a unique characteristic. If you haven’t experienced it personally, you’ve probably heard about the “flush” niacin can cause. As little as 50 mg of niacin can cause a flush in some people. While not dangerous, it can be uncomfortable, or even alarming, if you aren’t prepared for it. (Personally, I somewhat enjoy the sensation.)

Niacin causes the blood vessels to dilate or open up near the skin, which results in a hot, tingling sensation accompanied by a red flushing of the skin. Generally, by starting with low amounts of niacin (50 to 100 mg a day) and gradually increasing the dosage, a person can quickly build up a tolerance and avoid the flush. Taking niacin immediately following a meal will also lessen the flushing sensation. (Niacinamide, the alkaline form of niacin, doesn’t cause flushing and it works just as well for most things.)

Since niacin isn’t something that drug companies can patent, it’s of little interest to them. But whatever you do, don’t overlook niacin’s potential just because it’s been around so long, or because it sounds like too simple of a solution.

Keep in mind that all of the B vitamins actually work in conjunction with each other—which means you can expect better results if you take niacin or niacinamide along with a good multivitamin that contains a broad balance of B vitamins.

ARTHRITIS

Several researchers have reported excellent results in arthritic patients using niacinamide. While niacin opens up the blood vessels near the surface and causes a flushing sensation, niacinamide only opens up the deep blood vessels like those surrounding the joints.

In cases of moderate arthritis, outstanding results have been produced by taking 1,000 to 1,500 mg a day. In more severe cases, as much as 3,000 mg to 4,000 mg have been recommended. In all instances, here and in the recommendations listed below, the dosage should be divided into five or six doses spread throughout the day rather than all at once. It should also be taken with the knowledge and supervision of your nutritionally oriented doctor.

CHOLESTEROL & TRIGLYCERIDES

One of the most effective and least expensive ways to lower blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) is to take 1,000 to 3,000 mg of niacin a day.

Patients using 1,000 mg the first day, 2,000 mg the second day, and 3,000 mg each day thereafter have seen as much as a 25 percent reduction in cholesterol levels, and a 50 percent reduction in triglycerides. (Blood lipid reduction is one case where niacinamide is not as effective as niacin.)

REVERSING HEART DISEASE

Heart patients on niacin treatment had less illness and lower death rates after five years when contrasted to those not using niacin. An even more astounding study revealed that niacin treatment actually reversed signs of heart disease in patients who had genetically related cholesterol problems.

Niacin lowers cholesterol and triglycerides. It reduces the blood fats called “very low-density lipoproteins,” which have been linked to heart disease and cancer. It improves the blood sugar problems that can lead to damage to the arterial walls. It dilates blood vessels, which improves the circulation to areas starved of oxygen and nutrients. The list of benefits goes on and on—and if that wasn’t enough, the stuff is dirt cheap.

Finish reading.  It gets better.  And then buy some Niacin.  This may be the best medicine for the price.  The cost/benefit ratio is in your favor.  

COMPRESSION HOSE MAY REDUCE EDEMA

Want to increase circulation in your lower legs? 

Want to get rid of edema? 

Try elastic compression socks.  They work. 

Elastic support hose reduce edema and increase blood circulation in your lower legs.  The hose work better than herbal remedies for the same problem, like Horse Chestnut or Gingko Biloba.  Compression hose are to be worn during the day; remove them at night before you shower and get ready for bed.  Depending upon your condition and the age of your condition, you may want to wear it daily for 2 to 3 maybe 4 weeks or longer.  Observe how the edema dissipates and assess how the energy in your legs elevates.  Once you begin to feel better, then you know that you don't need the compression hose.  How it works is that as you wear the hose over time, your body will adjust to the new blood pressures on your veins, which uptake the instruction and pump blood through your veins more efficiently.  That claim is not EPA approved.  After one week of wearing the hose, the sluggishness in my legs was lifted, which allowed for the circulation in my legs to improve.  I have more energy in my lower extremities.  I rise from a seat with greater strength, energy, and steadiness.  My step is more energetic, more controlled.  I prefer the support hose over nutritional supplements for the same condition.  I don't like all of the side effects of supplements.  I found the following presentation interesting.  

For restless leg syndrome, vitamin D I've read works quite well.  Also, consider some nutritional foods like sauerkraut and kimchi.  These are refreshing and can have a detox effect on your lower leg where the drainage valves of your lymphatic system connect your legs to your digestive tract.  Look to zinc too.  I just had to quote Bill Sardi's comment from the Fight Aging site:

"The Holy Grail of gerontology?" "Our dream is to bring back the thymus..." What drivel. What misdirection. More of the "we will come up with some high-tech cure and make ourselves rich" stuff. What a display of ignorance. There is a 10-cent cure for thymic involution (atrophy) with advancing age ---- zinc and its absorption agent vitamin B6 and its release agent selenium. This has been demonstrated in animals and humans. Zinc activates T-cells, in particular T-memory cells that confer long-term immunity. By the way, animal-source thymus gland extract is also available. Modern medicine replaces insulin, testosterone, estrogen, thyroid hormone, but fails to replace thymus gland hormones, leaving the old to die off on time for the life insurance companies. Allow me to throw a tomato.