If you're looking for a natural alternative to cholesterol-lowering drugs, you might turn to niacin. Niacin, or vitamin B3, has been used for more than half a century to lower cholesterol and triglycerides, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. However, one form of niacin --- slow-release niacin --- has been linked to liver damage in large doses.
Significance
Niacin can effectively lower your cholesterol and raise your levels of HDL, the "good" form of cholesterol that's been linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular illness, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. However, high doses of regular niacin can cause unpleasant side effects, such as extreme flushing, stomach upset and blurred vision. Slow-release niacin can reduce the risk of these side effects, especially flushing, but increases the risk of liver damage.
Function
The liver metabolizes all forms of niacin, including slow-release niacin, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, people taking high doses of slow-release niacin can exhibit liver cell damage through blood tests showing elevated liver enzymes. Some may also experience jaundice, which means your liver isn't functioning properly to eliminate toxins from your body.
Significance
A few patients taking slow-release niacin at lower doses, such as 500 mg per day, have developed hepatitis, a liver disease, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. However, most cases of severe hepatitis have occurred in patients who have been taking between 3 and 9 grams per day of slow-release niacin to treat their high cholesterol for months or years.
Risk
Several medical conditions seem to cause increased risk of liver damage with slow-release niacin, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. If you have a history of liver disease, diabetes, gout, inflammatory bowel disease or migraines, you may risk damaging your liver with slow-release niacin. In addition, those with active peptic ulcer disease and cardiac arrhythmias also face a higher risk of liver damage with slow-release niacin.
Warning
If you're taking slow-release niacin to treat high cholesterol, especially at doses of 500 mg per day or more, you should see your physician for regular liver function tests, according to the website Drugs.com (ref#3). In addition, if you develop darkened urine, blurred vision, an irregular or fast heartbeat or yellowed skin and eyes, you should see a physician immediately, since these symptoms could indicate liver damage.
