Vitamin B3 (Niacin) & High Cholesterol

Health care providers have been prescribing Vitamin B3, more specifically, the nicotinic acid form of vitamin B3 since the mid 50's [1].

The Coronary Drug Project (CDP) followed over 8,000 men who had at least one heart attack for six years. When researchers compared findings with placebo, they found that 3g of nicotinic acid per day was responsible for [2]:

10% reduction in total serum cholesterol (nicotinic acid significantly increased HDL cholesterol {the good}, while decreasing LDL cholesterol {the bad}),
26% reduction in triglycerides,
27% reduction in recurrent nonfatal heart attacks
26% reduction in strokes and transient ischemic attacks.

But people have to be smart about self prescribing vitamin B3 (nicotinic acid) to lower serum cholesterol. Vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) has no such effects on the body [3].

Because of the biological effects of nicotinic acid on the body a UL (Tolerable Upper Intake) of both form of vitamin B3 has been set at 35mg [4]. As you can see, in order to get the clinical effects described in the CDP study above, you would have to consume about 86x of the UL (Tolerable Upper Intake Level).

And at these doses Vitamin B3 can become toxic and may cause [5]:

flushing, itching, tingling headaches due to the vasodilatory effects,
heartburn, nausea, possibly vomiting,
liver problems (jaundice, increased transaminase and alkaline phosphatase enzymes),
possible gout,
elevated blood glucose levels (this is very bad if you are a diabetic).

But interestingly enough, the other form of vitamin B3 nicotinamide might proof very effective in the prevention of Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (Type I Diabetes or IDDM) [6].

Thus it is best to use vitamin B3 for cholesterol lowering purposes only under the supervision of a physician.

Beste Gesundheit,

Werner

References:

1. Higdon J. Niacin. Oregon State University, Linus Pauling Institute
2. ---
3. Gropper S., Smith J., Groff J. Advanced nutrition and human metabolism. (2009 5ed). Wadsworth, Belmont CA pps 334-38
4. ---
5. ---
6. Higdon J. Niacin. Oregon State University, Linus Pauling Institute

Comments

[Colloidal Silver]

Very well written and informative. Thanks for the tips!

[Electronic Medical Records]

This is a very comprehensive article on vitamin B3 and high cholesterol. However on thing is people should never go for any self-medication and rely on their doctors for taking any medicine.

[Relenza]

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[yvonne]

Hi,

Love your site very informational. I have high cholesterol and work very hard at controlling it. I exercise and try to eat a good diet low in fats. Your information will help me even more. I try to learn as much as I can about cholesterol. Thanks and keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dermatologist pomona]

I just want to say thank you for the tips i agree that its very helpful but you think it would be better if i undergo of liposuction/cholesterol reduction?

sphin

[Jesse]

All of the B vitamins seem to have an important role in treating many conditions. Although as you said high levels of certain vitamins can be toxic, they can also have great positive benefits if you can tolerate them.

[Jesse]

Great post! I am a blogger myself and have written a post regarding niacin and its use as natural medicine. Niacin is a powerful vitamin and can have adverse effects if you do not know the proper dosing, glad you explain everything.

[Al Ameen]

Check this blog for related topics.

http://alternativemedicaltherapies.blogspot.com/

[jimm]

Niacin Works! Niacin works as well as far more expensive statin drugs. For a great book on the subject, read Cholesterol Control Without Diet by W. Parsons, MD. I find when you take it on a regular basis, you rarely get that niacin flush. One caveat is that niacin can do liver damage in some individuals. Don't take the high doses necessary (3-6 grams per day) for it to work without having liver enzymes checked after several weeks. Once you pass the intial test, you'll probably be fine from there on out.

[Colloidal Silver]

Interesting article, very informative. I think that anytime that you constantly take any vitamin or supplement you can go overboard and it can be harmful. Vitamins and supplements taken in moderation can't be too awful.

[darren@dietforhighcholesterol]

Thanks for the post. Great information.

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There is a lot of talk about vitamin intake.Good to learn such interesting facts and research findings from your blog too.

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[Vitamins]

Lowering cholesterol levels has good health benefits for the body.