If you want to gain muscle and strength then you know that a good diet and intense exercise is necessary.

Is there anything else that can give you an edge over your competitors?

Well, there are plenty of different supplements available but how do you know which is best?

Take niacin for example, there are many claimed benefits but are there any side effects that you should know about before considering using it?

Please read on to discover the truth about niacin for bodybuilding.

Benefits of Niacin for Bodybuilding

Using niacin is said to offer the following benefits:

• Faster delivery of vital nutrients thanks to increased blood flow
• Better oxygen transportation due to increased red blood cell production
• Increased production of Human Growth Hormone or HGH

Niacin is a vasodilator, which means that when you take it your blood vessels found within your body will widen.

When this occurs the more oxygen, nutrients and hormones will be able to pass through these widened blood vessels, which allows you to train much harder and for longer.

Another benefit of this extra oxygen transported will be increased focus and concentration, as your brain will subsequently receive more oxygen than normal.

The benefit of the extra HGH produced is that you are able to recover quicker, and will be able to repair and grow muscle.

This is because the more HGH present within your body the more IGF-1 will be produced also. IGF-1 is a hormone that helps your body to recover post-workout.

If you are trying to lose body fat then this extra HGH produced can be of benefit too. This is because it can help with lipolysis, which is when your body breaks down fat.

Any Side Effects?

While there are certain side effects associated with niacin use, the main issue is the ‘niacin flush‘.

This particular side effect is temporary and only lasts a few minutes, however you will experience the following when it occurs:

• Tingling in the face and neck
• Feeling warm
• Itchiness
• Slight reddening of your skin

This flush is harmless and completely normal, as you continue to use niacin you will build up a tolerance to it so this particular side effect will be lessened.

To further reduce the effect of this flush you could also try using a small dose of aspirin.

Is there an Alternative to Niacin?

There is an alternative to niacin that does not cause this flush. Its name is niacinamide, but it is not as effective.

The truth is that this niacin flush proves to you that the supplement is working.

Is Niacin Recommended?

Niacin has been proven to offer numerous benefits, especially if you are looking to build muscle and strength for bodybuilding.

Its benefits far outweigh any negatives so if you want that competitive edge then it is recommended.