NIATAB 500

Niatab 500 is a scored, uncoated tablet which can be broken in half if desired. Niatab is formulated to release niacin slowly over a 2 to 3 1/2 hour period to reduce the skin-flushing effect of this vitamin.

• Support for healthy cholesterol metabolism
• Formulated to release niacin slowly over a 2 to 3 1/2 hour period

Niacin (vitamin B3) occurs in the body as two metabolically active coenzymes, NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and NADP (NAD phosphate). The niacin coenzymes NAD and NADP have pervasive roles in energy-related and biosynthetic metabolic processes. At least 200 enzymes depend on these niacin cofactors.

The NAD-dependent enzymes are involved in mostly catabolic, oxidative reactions that release energy from carbohydrate, fat, and protein, whereas the NADP-dependent enzymes more commonly function in biosynthetic pathways of such compounds as fatty acids and steroid hormones.

Independent of its functions as NAD or NADP, niacin is also involved in the regulation of normal blood lipoprotein and cholesterol levels. Dietary niacin is generally well absorbed and taken up by the liver which converts it to NAD and NADP. Any excess niacin is metabolized by the liver and excreted by the kidneys.

Because the liver has a limited capacity to metabolize niacin, high doses of regular, crystalline niacin are often not well tolerated, causing vasodilatory side effects known as skin-flushing and itching.

For maximum benefit and fewer side effects, Niatab 500 releases its niacin over a time frame of two to three hours. This way, the niacin is more efficiently utilized by the liver and more evenly distributed to peripheral tissues compared to crystalline niacin. For the same reasons, Niatab 500 can generally be used at somewhat lower doses than crystalline niacin supplements.