Evidence supporting the use of: Niacin (vitamin B3)
For the health condition: Circulation (poor)

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Niacin (vitamin B3) has a well-documented effect on circulation, particularly through its ability to cause vasodilation (widening of blood vessels), which can lead to the characteristic "niacin flush." This vasodilatory effect is the basis for its traditional and scientific use in supporting circulation. Historically, niacin was used to help people with poor peripheral circulation, often described as cold hands and feet or intermittent claudication. Scientifically, several clinical studies have demonstrated that niacin can improve blood flow by relaxing blood vessels and reducing vascular inflammation. Additionally, niacin has been extensively studied for its lipid-modifying effects, including raising HDL ("good") cholesterol and lowering triglycerides, both of which contribute to overall cardiovascular health.

However, while niacin does improve some markers associated with vascular health, its direct use specifically for "poor circulation" (such as peripheral artery disease) is less robustly supported in current evidence compared to other treatments. Most modern guidelines focus on other medications for improving circulation in peripheral vascular diseases, though niacin may still play a supportive role. Side effects, such as flushing and potential liver toxicity at high doses, have limited its widespread use for circulation alone. In summary, niacin’s use for supporting circulation is grounded in both traditional use and scientific mechanisms, but its clinical utility is somewhat limited by side effects and the availability of more effective treatments.

More about niacin (vitamin B3)
More about Circulation (poor)

Other ingredients used for Circulation (poor)

acetyl l-carnitine
ajoene
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
anthocyanins
arjun tree
ashwagandha
asparagus
astaxanthin
astragalus
beet
bergamot
berry flavor
bilberry
black cumin
black currant
black garlic
black pepper
sesame
black tea
blueberry
bromelain
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
butcher's broom
caffeine
capsaicinoids
cat's claw
caterpillar mushroom
celery
chen pi
cherry
Chinese salvia root
chokeberry
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coleus forskohlii
cordyceps
turmeric
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
dong quai root
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
flaxseed
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
garlic bulb
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
gooseberry
gotu kola
grape
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
hawthorn
hesperetin
hesperidin
hibiscus
horse chestnut
horseradish
Indian tinospora
iron
knotweed
kudzu
l-arginine
l-carnitine
l-citrulline
lovage
mackerel
magnesium
marine lipid
moringa
mustard seed
naringin
nattokinase
nettle
niacin (vitamin B3)
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
orange
oyster mushroom
pine bark
policosanol
pomegranate
quercetin
redcurrant
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rose hips
rosemary
rutin
safflower oil
sardines
shiitake mushroom
black ginger
spinach
tocotrienols
triphala
ubiquinol
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin B
vitamin E
seaweed
water
watercress
watermelon
mulberry
sarsaparilla
suma
jiaogulan
tangerine
gastrodia
cardamom
atractylodes
capsicum
Indian bael
inula racemosa
punarnava
commiphora
smilax
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
peony
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
prickly ash
siler root
cistanche
dioscorea
dodder
ganoderma
morinda
zanthoxylum
birch
polyphenols
purslane
yerba mate
biota seed
goji berry
herbal blend (proprietary)
Sichuan pepper
yohimbe
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
enzymes blend (proprietary)
cayenne pepper
ashitaba
2-(nitrooxy)ethyl 2-amino-3-methylbutanoate
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
Aralia
Arjuna
Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate
Antler
Autumn elaeagnus
Arginine Creatine
Arginine nitrate
Angelica
Aronia melanocarpa
Allicin
Arginine aspartate
Achyranthes
Auricularia
Adrenergic amines
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
anthocyanidins
Asteracea
Arjunic Acid
Alliin
anthocyanosides
Allium tuberosum
Arginine silicate
Atractylone
Bishop's Weed
Butea monosperma
Black galingale
berry
Bur-Reed
Bioflavonoids
Bee products
Buddha's Hand
Buckwheat
Bassia scoparia
Boerhavia diffusa
Borneol
Coumarin
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Silkvine
Cinnamomum
Chinese Mountain Ant
Carqueja
Calycosin
Capsinoids
Codonopsis
Capillary Artemisia
Cyanidin
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Capsaicin
Catecholamine
Cowherb
Curcumen
Centella asiatica
Coca
Chocolate
Curcuma
Chestnut
Cinnamaldehyde
Costus
Carthamus
cola nut
Currant
Diallyl sulfide
Diosmin
Dismutase
Danshen
Dong Quai
Date
Diosmetin
Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
epicatechin
Elk antler
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Essential Oil Blend
Ephedrine
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)
Echium
Garlic
Mustard
Mistletoe
Pistachio
Sumac
Sweet Orange alcohol
yohimbine
Zucchini