Niacin

Barefoot YOW

Barefooters

Nov 6, 2010

689

633

93

Ottawa Ontario Canada

Dec 24, 2011

#1

• Dec 24, 2011

• #1

Has anyone experimented with the use of Niacin to increase body temperature for running barefoot in the winter? If yes, how did it work out?

I found a post from Vanessa:

http://vanessaruns.com/2010/11/23/post166/



I found another from Angie:

http://www.barefootangiebee.com/2011/10/cold-weather-barefoot-running.html

 

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dutchie53

Barefooters

Nov 6, 2011

1,740

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Winnipeg

Dec 25, 2011

#2

• Dec 25, 2011

• #2

There are two kinds of

There are two kinds of Niacin. Non-flush or the one that makes your skin flush. I wonder if one works better than the other. I have used the non-flush kind but it did not seem to make a difference to me.

 

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dunetraveller

Barefooters

Dec 8, 2010

257

0

16

Las Vegas, Nevada

Dec 28, 2011

#3

• Dec 28, 2011

• #3

You are unlikely to find the

You are unlikely to find the fast flush Niacin, unless you buy Twinlabs. Otherwise you find "time release" (almost no flush), or "niacinimide" (no flush ever). It doesn't really "warm you up" so much as causes the capillaries to dilate and cause the reddening effect, itchiness, and if you aren't used to it from excercise... a heat feeling that is sometimes described as bordering on burning for some. This is just warm blood at body temperature affecting relatively cold skin, and is not additional heat.

Be warned that if you overdo it, it can cause a drop in blood pressure... enough to cause dizziness/fainting in some people. You can take too much, but you would have to really go above and beyond to take that much.

There are formulas to determine the maximum amount you should get. Keep in mind your body doesn't care what form you get Niacin in, so you have to count food sources when determining your intake.

If you're like me, those capillaries will open just fine with exercise, so no need for a capsule in that regard.

John T.

 

dunetraveller

Barefooters

Dec 8, 2010

257

0

16

Las Vegas, Nevada

Dec 28, 2011

#4

• Dec 28, 2011

• #4

Not so Fun fact: The red of a

Not so Fun fact: The red of a sunburn is the same capillary dilation caused by flushing niacin and exercise... in this case caused by chemical markers released into the bloodstream from cell damage. The capillary dilation is intended to increase blood flow to skin cells and improve healing, but can cause blistering as an unwanted side effect. Anti-inflammatories can help in this regard if taken early on.

 

dutchie53

Barefooters

Nov 6, 2011

1,740

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Winnipeg

Dec 28, 2011

#5

• Dec 28, 2011

• #5

Thank you for your reply. It

Thank you for your reply. It was very informative and provided the answers I was looking for. The reason I started on Niacin was to help with blood pressure. It seems funny that with all the running I do that my BP is on the high side of normal. I blame my parents for giving me some bad genes. Lol

 

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Barefoot TJ

Administrator

Staff member

Mar 5, 2010

21,507

7,048

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Dec 28, 2011

#6

• Dec 28, 2011

• #6

How much Niacin are you

How much Niacin are you taking daily to cause flushing? How much causes flushing?

 

dutchie53

Barefooters

Nov 6, 2011

1,740

2,802

113

Winnipeg

Dec 28, 2011

#7

• Dec 28, 2011

• #7

Different reactions for

Different reactions for different people. First time I tried I ried the regular kind, 500 mg. and I started to flush within 10 minutes and lasted about 1-2 hours. It was uncomfortable for me, there is no way I could have gone out for a run like that. I switched over to Flush-Free Niacin, but me personally did not find or notice that it helped me in staying warmer. I am a firm believer in merino wool, and use that as my base layer. In the winter here in Winterpeg it gets down to -30 celcius on a regular basis, and one layer of mid weight smartwool and a polartec jacket and I do not notice the cold.

 

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NickW

Guest

Dec 28, 2011

#8

• Dec 28, 2011

• #8

Niacin is super uncomfortable

Niacin is super uncomfortable for me at the 500 mg level. I do not ever plan on taking it again. Was a dare while I was in the Army and I turned beat red and felt like I had a sunburn over my whole body. Lasted maybe two or three hours.

 

NotSoDoomedRunner

Barefooters

Apr 27, 2011

668

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28

Dec 28, 2011

#9

• Dec 28, 2011

• #9

I used to take some in a

I used to take some in a supplement when I was lifting weights. Also seemed to cause the, uh... temporary growth of certain body parts.

 

Mark Runs

Barefooters

Jan 8, 2012

1

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Jan 9, 2012

#10

• Jan 9, 2012

• #10

Niacin (the "flushing" kind

Niacin (the "flushing" kind is nicotinic acid, though it's not related to nicotine) isn't great for heating you up, because its effect is localised on the skin, rather than internally (as far as the sense of heat goes). And it can be uncomfortable and unpredictable, one day having no noticable effect and the next day making you feel like you've been badly sunburnt. Niacin is good for assisting moods and mental clarity and has been used by orthomolecular doctors in the treatment of mental illness (especially schizophrenia).

There are other natural things you can use to help with the cold, though. Anything that increases circulation is good for beating the chill. Foods include ginger, cayenne, cocoa and garlic; herbal supplements include ginkgo biloba and ginseng.