What is Niacin?

Heart disease is the number one killer amongst both men and women, responsible for about half the deaths worldwide. We all know this is caused by high levels of the "bad" cholesterol LDL, which is found in foods high in saturated fats. So, what can we do to combat it?

One popular approach currently under much study would be taking niacin as a cholesterol lowering medication. Also known as vitamin B3, the bad cholesterol lowering effects of niacin are absolutely astounding. By raising HDL-C levels (good cholesterol) in the bloodstream, niacin has proven to lower the risk of heart attack.

Exactly how does niacin work as a cholesterol lowering medication? It is pretty complicated but, simply put, niacin helps dissolve the plaque formed on artery walls by the highly insoluble LDL (bad) cholesterol. In this way, niacin prevents the disease called atherosclerosis, which is when plaque builds up in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart, and result in a heart attack.

Niacin taken as a cholesterol lowering medication has also shown to significantly lower general triglyceride levels, which is the chemical form of fat in our bodies. Triglyceride is what turns into the highly insoluble LDL cholesterol if its levels are too high.

Of course, all cholesterol lowering medications come with side effects. Niacin is no exception. One of the side effects of niacin when used as a cholesterol lowering medication is abnormal liver tests. Taking niacin can cause increased liver toxicity. This side effect of niacin is brought on mainly by the sustained release version of the medication, while the immediate release niacin has proven to be safer. It is recommended that individuals who have pre-existing liver conditions or drink alcohol not include niacin as one of their cholesterol lowering medications.

A more common side effect of niacin taken as a cholesterol lowering medication is severe skin flushing. This niacin side effect lasts from 15 minutes to an hour in some cases. It has been shown that to lower the risk for niacin side effects, the cholesterol lowering medication should be taken with a meal. Another remedy to this niacin side effect is taking a dose of aspirin or ibuprofen about a half hour before niacin is ingested.

On the list of less common niacin side effects are elevated blood sugar levels, which can worsen the condition of patients with diabetes. This is most prominent in high-level niacin dosages. Also attributed to higher niacin dosing is the possibility of birth defects, although this has only been tested in laboratory animals. High dose niacin taken as a cholesterol lowering medication may also result in blurred vision and blindness.

Niacin, when taken in controlled doses (no more than 2mg a day) has shown to be an invaluable source of effective cholesterol lowering properties. Ask your doctor how to include niacin therapy into your treatment.

Sources:

http://blogs.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/2008/10/niacin.html

http://www.medicinenet.com/drug_induced_liver_disease/page8.htm

www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/.../patient-niacin.htm