Ingredient
Niacin in Protoflow: 75 mg Against a 35 mg Limit
Niacin, vitamin B3, is listed at 75 mg per serving of Protoflow, 469% of the Daily Value. NIH sets the adult upper limit for supplemental niacin at 35 mg a day, and 30 to 50 mg or more of nicotinic acid typically causes flushing. The label does not say which form is used.
Written by the Protoflow label teamUpdated
The vitamin01
What is niacin?
Niacin, also called vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin that the body uses to make the energy-carrying molecule NAD, found in meat, fish, grains and fortified foods.
The Protoflow label prints "Niacin (Vitamin B3)", 75 mg, 469% of the Daily Value. It is one of only two lines with a Daily Value; the other is vitamin E. It does not say whether the niacin is nicotinic acid, which flushes, or nicotinamide, which usually does not. That single detail changes what you can expect.
The recommended intake for adult men is 16 mg of niacin equivalents a day (NIH ODS, Niacin). Most people reach it through food, so a supplement adds to an intake that is already enough.
| Name on the label | Niacin (Vitamin B3) |
|---|---|
| What it is | Nicotinic acid or nicotinamide (the label does not say which) |
| Place on the label | 2 of 14 |
| Amount per serving (2 capsules) | 75 mg |
| Per capsule, if split evenly | 37.5 mg (the label does not say) |
| % Daily Value | 469% |
| Named on the sales page? | No |
| Amount used in research | Upper limit for supplemental niacin: 35 mg a day |
| Strength of evidence | Supplement amount is above the adult upper limit |
| Marketed or traditional use | B vitamin |
| Main caution | Flushing is common at 30-50 mg or more of nicotinic acid; high doses can strain the liver and raise blood glucose. |
The limit02
Is 75 mg of niacin too much?
It is more than double the 35 mg a day that NIH sets as the tolerable upper intake level for niacin from supplements in adults (NIH ODS, Niacin).
The upper limit is the highest daily amount unlikely to cause harm in nearly everyone. It does not apply under medical supervision, since doctors sometimes use much larger doses of niacin for cholesterol, with monitoring. A man buying a prostate supplement is not under that kind of supervision.
Being above the limit does not mean harm is certain. It means that the margin of safety is thinner, and that the first sign, flushing, is likely. The gauge below places the Protoflow amount on the scale.
Niacin: this label against the adult upper limit
The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements sets the upper limit to avoid flushing, the first effect of too much (NIH ODS, Niacin). The label does not say whether the niacin is nicotinic acid or nicotinamide.
Flushing03
What does niacin flushing feel like?
NIH describes it as reddening, burning, tingling and itching of the face, arms and chest, usually within 30 minutes of a dose (NIH ODS, Niacin).
It is harmless for most people and fades within an hour or so, but it can alarm someone who does not expect it. It is stronger on an empty stomach and with hot drinks or alcohol. Because the label says to take two capsules daily with water and names no time, you pick the setting. A day when you do not have an important meeting is a sensible one to start on.
If you get a flush with dizziness, a racing heart, wheezing or swelling of the face, that is not the usual niacin flush. Stop and get medical help. Do not combine the capsules with another niacin supplement, as the total adds up.
Long-term04
Can niacin affect the liver and blood sugar?
Yes, at high doses: NIH says high doses of nicotinic acid taken for months or years can harm the liver and large doses can raise blood glucose (NIH ODS, Niacin).
Protoflow's 75 mg is not in the large range doctors use, but it is above the supplement limit, and the 3-bottle and 6-bottle packs are built for months of use. Men with liver disease, diabetes, gout or ulcers should ask a doctor first, and so should men who drink heavily.
Niacin is also a medicine at higher doses, which means a doctor may already have you on a form of it, or on a statin. Adding a second source without telling them is the thing to avoid. Keep taking prescribed medicine.
See a doctor today
- You cannot pass urine at all, or only a few drops with a full, painful bladder
- Blood or clots in the urine
- Fever or chills with burning or painful urination
- Severe pain in the lower belly, back or genitals
- A sudden change after a fall or injury
Book an appointment
- A weak or slow stream, or stopping and starting
- Needing to go again soon after you finish
- Waking more than usual at night to urinate
- A sudden, strong urge that is hard to hold
- Dribbling after you finish
- A new erection problem, or a PSA you have not discussed
Urinary symptoms can come from an enlarged prostate, infection, diabetes, medicines, sleep apnea, and sometimes cancer. Lists drawn from NIDDK (NIDDK, Enlarged Prostate (BPH)) and MedlinePlus (MedlinePlus, Nocturia). A supplement cannot sort these causes out.
Protoflow: from $49 a bottle60 capsules · 2 a day · free US shipping on 3 or 6 · 60-day money-back guarantee
See packsAt a glance05
How does the niacin line compare with the guidance?
| Measure | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended intake, adult men | 16 mg NE a day | Mostly met by food (NIH ODS, Niacin) |
| Upper limit from supplements | 35 mg a day | Not for use under medical supervision (NIH ODS, Niacin) |
| Protoflow serving | 75 mg | 469% DV; 2.1 times the limit |
| Flushing begins | 30 to 50 mg or more | Of nicotinic acid, within 30 minutes (NIH ODS, Niacin) |
| Form on the label | Not stated | Nicotinic acid or nicotinamide |
The sales page does not mention the niacin amount or the upper limit. Ask the order desk which form it is, and remember that the guarantee window is the time to find out how your body reacts.
Asking first06
Who should check with a doctor before taking this much niacin?
Men with liver disease, diabetes, gout, stomach ulcers, low blood pressure, or on a statin or blood pressure medicine should ask first.
The same applies to men who plan to take other supplements with niacin in them, such as a multivitamin or an energy blend. Add up the totals before starting. Bring the label so the pharmacist can read it with you.
Next, read about the other vitamin on the panel on the vitamin E page.
FAQ07
Niacin in Protoflow: questions answered
How much niacin is in Protoflow?
The label lists 75 mg of niacin (vitamin B3) per serving of two capsules, which is 469% of the Daily Value.
Does Protoflow make your face flush?
It may. NIH says 30 to 50 mg or more of nicotinic acid typically causes flushing. The label does not say which form of niacin is used, so we cannot say how likely it is.
Is 75 mg of niacin safe?
It is above the 35 mg adult upper limit for supplements, so ask a doctor first if you have liver disease, diabetes, gout or take a statin. Many healthy men notice only flushing.
What is the difference between nicotinic acid and nicotinamide?
Nicotinic acid causes the flush at supplement doses, while nicotinamide usually does not. The Protoflow label does not state which one it uses.
Can niacin raise blood sugar?
NIH says large doses of niacin can raise blood glucose. Men with diabetes should check with a doctor before using a formula with 75 mg of niacin.
Does niacin help the prostate?
We found no trial of niacin for the prostate or urinary flow. It is a vitamin the body needs, and extra amounts have not been shown to help the prostate.
Who wrote this08
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a USA authorized retailer of Protoflow, not by the manufacturer or the label distributor. Buying through our order links earns us money.
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