180 CAPSULES

Complete B-Complex 180 capsules. The entire B family, including biotin and niacin. Niacin is required for the proper function of more than 50 enzymes. Without it, the body is not able to release energy or make fats from carbohydrates. Vitamin B3 is also used to make sex hormones and other important chemical signal molecules.

In the past, the use of niacin was discouraged in diabetic individuals because it was found to increase insulin resistance and degrade glycemic control, particularly at high doses (Sancetta SM et al 1951). However, emerging clinical evidence shows that niacin is both safe and effective for diabetics (Meyers CD et al 2004).

There is evidence that niacin reduces the risk of developing type 1 diabetes (Pocoit F et al 1993; Pozzilli P et al 1993). Niacinamide helps restore beta cells, or at least slow their destruction. Because niacin can disrupt blood sugar control in diabetics, individuals taking any form of niacin, including inositol hexaniacinate, must closely monitor blood sugar levels and discontinue treatment in the event of worsening of diabetic control. Inositol hexaniacinate has long been used in Europe to lower cholesterol levels and also to improve blood flow in individuals with intermittent claudication.

Caution:

• Do not take high doses of nicotinic acid (1.5 to 5 grams daily or more) if you have liver dysfunction, an unexplained elevation in your serum aminotransferase (transaminase) level, active peptic ulcer disease, arterial bleeding, or if you consume large amounts of alcohol.
• Consult your doctor before taking high doses of nicotinic acid if you have a history of jaundice, peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, disease of the liver or bile ducts, gout, kidney dysfunction, or cardiovascular disease (especially acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina).
• Consult your doctor before taking high doses of nicotinic acid if you have diabetes. High doses of nicotinic acid can negatively affect glucose tolerance. Monitor your serum glucose level frequently if you take nicotinic acid and have diabetes.
• Have your doctor monitor your serum aminotransferase level if you take high-doses of nicotinic acid.
• Nicotinic acid may cause flushing, principally of the face, neck, and chest. This flushing is thought to be prostaglandin-prostacyclin mediated. Histamine may also play a role in the flushing.
• Nicotinic acid can cause dizziness, palpitations, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, sweating, chills, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and muscle pain.
• High doses of nicotinic acid can cause blurred vision, macular edema, toxic amblyopia, and cystic maculopathy.
• Do not take Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) if you have Leber’s optic atrophy.
• Consult your doctor before taking vitamin B1 for a thiamin deficiency, lactic acidosis secondary to thiamin deficiency, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, Wernicke’s encephalopathy, or Korsakoff’s psychosis.
• High doses of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) may interfere with the Abbott TDx drugs-of-abuse assay.
• Riboflavin absorption is increased in hypothyroidism and decreased in hyperthyroidism.
• If you are taking nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors, even a mild riboflavin deficiency can increase your risk of lactic acidosis.
• Do not take 5 milligrams or more of vitamin B6 daily if you are being treated with levodopa, unless you are taking carbidopa at the same time.
• Consult your doctor before taking folic acid if you have a vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Daily doses of more than 1 milligram of folic acid can precipitate or exacerbate the neurological damage caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency.