Twinlab Niacin (B-3) 1000mg, 100 Capsules (Pack of 3)

I gave the product 5 stars since it is so effective. I am glad I found this and am using it but wish I had purchased a smaller dosage (250mg or 500mg) first to build up to this 1000mg.I started weight lifting/body building 15 years ago. I had to take a break for the last 3 years to recover from three complete ankle reconstruction surgeries. This spring I got motivated to start back up, but at age 37 I quickly realized I wasn't in my 20's any more... and I moved real slow in the gym, had difficulty pushing myself, and my joints and muscles were very sore afterwards.This summer while visiting my brother he had me try out some of his "pre-work out drinks", and I used 1MR and White Flood. I liked the extra aid they gave me in my work out but all the caffeine kept me up at night. Turns out Niacin is one of the important ingredients in these drinks. I found these pills and read a reviews from body builders that use them. So I bought them.First of all this is a very economical way to get the niacin. At only $0.09 a pill, it makes for an inexpensive prework out supplement. I have been using it for 2 weeks now. My routine consists of weights 3 x week and cardio the other 3, with a break on Sunday. I alternate every other day. On weight training days I eat a small breakfast and then pop one of these Niacin pills. After warming up on the tread mill for 10 minutes the Niacin usually hits my system and I get the massive flush. My head and neck turn bright red, and I get pretty itchy. While the reaction is a bit uncomfortable, I like the results I have seen.As I do my weight training I find that I'm able to push myself further, and increase the weight quicker. I have also decreased my recovery time between sets, and I feel less soreness the following day. Independent of the routine exercise, I have chronic pain in my right shoulder, right elbow, and both ankles from past injuries. Over the past 2 weeks that I have been using niacin, the pain in my joints has been noticeably less. In the past, as I increased the weights I lifted my shoulder and elbow pains would become much more substantial requiring me to drop weights and miss days, and I would have to take large amounts of ibuprofen. I haven't taken any ibuprofen in over a week and a half and this week I got up to weight levels that I used to train on 10 years ago.Now someone could be argue that my body is just adapting to the weight training etc. But as recently as 5 years ago (before my surgeries and 3 year break) I never was able to work out this intensely, and I was younger and more fit. So far I think that the Niacin is helping the muscles and joints to get more blood flow and oxygen and improving my workouts. I'm going to continue to use it for the next month and then see how my workouts compare after I stop taking it for two weeks. Update to come.

I am back today ordering a refill.I started using this after reading an article about the effects of Niacin on HDL cholesterol. I, like my parents, have always struggled with high cholesterol, so for me its a fact of life that needs to be controlled, and not something that can be "fixed". I just got back from the doctor after taking 1000mg of Niacin (and yes a statin drug) for the past year. For the first time my HDL/LDL ratio is fantastic, my overall cholesterol level is under control, and all of my blood chemistry is much better as well.The down side is the flush, and that's why I give this 4 instead of 5 stars. The perfect medicine would fix the problem with no side effects. This has the "flush" side effect. This can be bothersome, but I figure its a small price to pay for living longer. I take it just before going to bed, and most times I sleep through it, or maybe it doesn't happen. One thing I do if I think of it is to take a single aspirin along with the niacin. That seems to help a lot, and as I understand it, its probably not a bad idea health-wise anyway.

My cardiologist suggested I try niacin instead of rx based cholesterol lowering meds, and I have used Niacin (3000 mg a day) for a number of years now (NOTE: at this level, you need to be monitored by your doctor for potential damage to vital organs --- do not try this level on your own!!!!!!!).He also cautioned me not to waste my time buying "no flush" niacin; you want the rapid dilation of arteries to speed up the blood flow and preclude the plaque from sticking to the walls. The "no flush" is of no help in that regard.So I started with a brand he recommended at a local nutritional supplement store widely known around the US with 3 letters. But they only stock 100 mg and 500 mg tablets; taking 3000 mg a day required 6 tablets (2 each at breakfast, lunch and dinner). The Twinlab Niacin is equally effective and far less expensive. Plus, it comes in 1000 mg tablets, so I only have to take 3 pills a day. I "heart"ily recommend that brand; just make sure your doctor is on-board before you even THINK of trying this.ADDED 10/6/13: As noted by a number of reviewers, you can't start with a 1000 mg tablet; the flushing will so discourage you that you'll switch to a Rx med, which is a lot more money. Go to the 3 letter store and buy a small bottle of their 100 mg or 500 mg tablets. Split those. My cardiologist had me take 50 mg a day for a week, then double to 100 mg a day for the 2nd week, then double to 200 mg a day for week 3, then 500 mg a day for week 5, then 1000 mg a day for week 5. Due to family history, he has me taking 3000 mg a day (one tablet after each meal); at this level, you need to be seen by your cardiologist at least once a year, and have blood workups done periodically to make sure you aren't damaging vital organs. But this really, really, really works. My total cholesterol is under 200 and my HDL / LDL ratio is so good, I only do the stress echo cardiogram every other year.

A big mistake when ordering. I need to take 1000 mg of Niacin at bedtime to keep my triglycerides stable. I was taking two 500 mg capsules at bedtime, so when I saw this 1000 mg capsules I ordered not realizing these are not FLUSH FREE! First time I swallowed one capsule at bedtime, the flushing, prickling, heating reaction took an hour or so to subside before I could finally fall to sleep. I'm now back to taking two 500 mg capsules that are FLUSH FREE!