Is it safe to add 250mg of niacin to help increase metabolism and nervous system health. I'm 54 and need help

I've been "dieting" all my life. In the last 6 months, no matter what I try to do to lose weight, the scale keeps inching UP. I'm very frustrated. I recently saw that niacin is supposed to help with metalolism and nervous system health, but I'm concerned about possible side affects. The last time I took it, I "flushed" considerably. I've heard that the time release capsule is better..but I'm uncertain.
Any help would be deeply appreciated.

Yes, high doses of niacin will cause flushing and heat flashes. The recommended dosage is 14 mg per day and usually not recommended to exceed 20 mg per day unless approved by your doctor. The problem is that while niacin itself isn't toxic, the chemicals converted by it are toxic to the skin and liver. I would ask your doctor what he considers to be the highest safe dosage to take. Be sure you work up to that recommended dose gradually!

Did you know that niacin also will increase the good cholesteral...HDL?

Thank you for your feedback. I returned the niacin to the store and have decided to get some blood work done instead. Report It

I wouldn't use niacin, that's some bad stuff. I & others have used 2 flush our systems 4 a piss test. It gets Ur heart rate up, face feels like it's on fire, Ur whole body looks red. Get headaches from it, it messes with Ur liver & kidneys. No it's not safe 2 take that much. I'm sending U some sites so U can see 4 Ur self. I feel almost 100% sure after U see these sites U will have made up Ur mind on what not 2 do.http://www.medicinenet.com/niacin-oral/a... , http://www.yourlifevitamins.com, http://www.EverydayHealth.com, http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsSupplement... , http://cholesterol.about.com/cs/nicotini... , http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/drugi... , & http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic3/niaci... . All of these R good sites, please take the time 2 look at a few before u hurt Ur body. Hope this helps or gives U something 2 think about.