Eating right, exercising and taking medications can keep your cholesterol in check.
Taking the vitamin niacin helps maintain a healthy cholesterol level. The Mayo Clinic states that niacin -- either by itself or in addition to cholesterol-lowering drugs -- can help lower your total cholesterol.
Identification
Niacin, also known as nicotinic acid or vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, niacin, like all the B vitamins, helps your body convert carbohydrates to glucose and metabolize fats and protein. It also helps produce hormones related to stress and sexual function.
Function
UMMC states that niacin has been used since the 1950s to help lower levels of triglycerides and LDL -- the "bad" cholesterol. Niacin also helps increase HDL cholesterol -- the "good" cholesterol -- by 15 to 35 percent, according to the Mayo Clinic, making niacin more effective at raising HDL than any cholesterol medication available as of 2010. HDL cholesterol removes LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream by transporting it back to your liver for disposal. This helps lower your levels of LDL cholesterol.
Sources
Niacin is present in many foods, and UMMC says that most people can get all the niacin they need from their diets. Good food sources of niacin include dairy, meat, fish, eggs, nuts and beets. Many kinds of breads and cereals are also fortified with niacin. Niacin is also available in supplement form. If you have high cholesterol, your doctor might prescribe you a specific niacin-containing medication.
Considerations
Though niacin can lower cholesterol levels independent of other drugs, the Mayo Clinic states niacin is more effective when combined with statins -- drugs that block cholesterol production. When used with statins, niacin can raise HDL levels as much as 50 percent. However, the Mayo Clinic cautions that you should consult your doctor before supplementing any cholesterol medication with niacin.
Side Effects
Niacin's benefits occur in high doses. According to UMMC, the recommended daily allowance for niacin intake in adults is 16 mg for men and 14 mg for women; doses higher than 50 mg can lead to side effects. The most common effect is a burning, tingling sensation in the skin, called "niacin flush." At very high doses, niacin can lead to liver damage and stomach ulcers, UMMC states. Other possible side effects, according to the Mayo Clinic, include upset stomach, dizziness, headache and increased blood sugar. Niacin can also interact negatively with a variety of medications, which makes it important to talk to your doctor before using a niacin supplement to lower cholesterol.
