Due to vision problems I need a vitamin with out Niacin. Prefer a
whole food multiple. I am a 50 years old male.

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Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 10 Jun 2004 17:11 PDT

Have you tried Insure Plus?

http://www.iweightloss.com/insure_plus.htm

If this looks like the kind of thing you need, I'll be glad to try to
find the best online price for you.

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Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 10 Jun 2004 17:56 PDT

Hi maluca,

Here's another option:

Niacin Free Opti-Pack (Opti Pack, With Iron), Super Nutrition, 30 packets:
"...contains 300 mg of niacinamide rather than niacin...":
http://www.iherb.com/optiniacin.html

Please let us know if we're on the right track.
Regards,
hummer

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Clarification of Question by maluca-ga on 14 Jun 2004 12:06 PDT

Insure is not a option as Iam not looking for meal replacement. I need
a multiple vitamin without any form of niacin.

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Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 14 Jun 2004 12:42 PDT

The Insure product that I mentioned above is not a meal replacement.
It is a whole food source multivitamin. You may be thinking of
'Ensure', which is a totally different product.

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Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 14 Jun 2004 15:34 PDT

Hi maluca,

Did you have a chance to look at the Niacin Free Opti-Pack?

Thanks,
hummer

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Clarification of Question by maluca-ga on 14 Jun 2004 18:15 PDT

Regarding the Insure it certainly looks like a great vitamin but
cannot find anywhere it states it is niacin free. I was taking a
similar vitamin and thought I was on the right track as it was whole
food which is what I prefer. My vision still blurred. My Doctor said
stay away..

Regarding Opti-Pak..they are excellent and I was unaware they had
niacin free. The word niacinamide gives me pause as it contains the
word niacin. I found this when searching:

Vitamin B3 - niacin, niacinamide, nicotinic acid - information page
"Niacin also called nicotinic acid, niacinamide or nicotinic acid and
referred to as vitamin B 3, which can be manufactured by the body.
Niacin is derived from two compounds - nicotinic acid and
niacinamide." However it says Niacin free and that is what I asked for
Hummer answered the question and deserves payment.

Hi maluca,

Thanks again for giving me the opportunity to answer your question, I
appreciate it. I'm sorry noone was able to find something Niacin AND
Niacinamide free for you.

Here it is again to make it official.

Niacin Free Opti-Pack (Opti Pack, With Iron), Super Nutrition, 30 packets:
"...contains 300 mg of niacinamide rather than niacin...":
http://www.iherb.com/optiniacin.html

If I ever come across something, I'll be sure to let you know -

Sincerely,
hummer

Excellent. By going the extra mile you revealed what was going on. As
is common I needed someone to see the end result problem and help with
it. My eye Dr. has gone so far as to twice give me injections into my
eye of steroids. My last visit he listened to me when I was having a
dye prochedure done to reveal any damage. He kept telling me the
problem was one from a form of arthritis I have. I guessed the niacin
as I finally determined the episodes occured around a occassional
niacin regimine I did. In a huff he said "then quit taking it" where
previously he had said it was coincidence. Until you took the time to
post your findings it had no name. My tip reflects my gratitude for
giving me the best solution and only one found if I am to take b
vitamins even though it was not exactly what I was looking for.
Perfection misses so much.

Hi maluca,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to answer your question but I
think I'd prefer to leave your question open in the hopes that another
researcher can find a suitable multi-vitamin for you.  There is a
difference between Niacin and Niacinamide, but not concerning adverse
reactions in regards to vision.

EYE DISORDERS - DRUGS and the EYE: Niacin, Niacinamide:
"These drugs may lead to a cystic swelling of the retina known as
"cystoid macular edema". Blurred and distorted vision are common with
this."
http://www.perret-optic.ch/optometrie/pathologie_oculaire/patho_drogues/patho_drug1_gb.htm

I searched again for you, but the closest I came was the following
(it's not a multi-vitamin).

B-comp 50mg (NO niacin):
http://www.vites.com/cgi/searchdb.cgi?Action=lookup&Key=573

I'm sorry I didn't have better luck...
Thanks again,
hummer

Dear maluca,

Oh my goodness! I did see the five stars before going to bed last
night, but it wasn't until this morning that I found your wonderful
note and very generous tip - what a nice way to begin my day, thank
you. Yes, life is better off not being perfect - it's the serendipity
that makes it all interesting and valuable.

I can certainly empathize with your situation - I've had eye surgery
myself and I know how scarey it is to lose one's vision. I'm glad to
hear that the link I posted helped you, I found it by researching the
differences between Niacin and Niacinamide - I had hoped that
Niacinamide didn't have the same side effects as Niacin.

It's hard to reflect *my* gratitude for your kindness and generosity
within the scope of this very public forum, but here is a bit more
fluff to add to your pile of useless but interesting bits of
information - I wish I could do more ...

The Three Princes of Serendip:
http://livingheritage.org/three_princes.htm

Take care, maluca,
hummer