As knowledge of how the human body works increases, there is more awareness of simple fixes for complex problems. High cholesterol levels increases your risk for developing cardiovascular disease, which could ultimately lead to a heart attack or stroke. Niacin is a B-complex vitamin that can be used to assist your body in lowering your cholesterol level.
Identification
Regularly scheduled blood analysis tests, including those that measure cholesterol levels, become routine as you age. Three type of cholesterol are measured: total, LDL and HDL. Your doctor is looking for a result of less than 200 mg/dl of total cholesterol. LDL, the "bad" cholesterol should be under 100 mg/dl. The "good" cholesterol, HDL, is best above 40 mg/dl for men and 50 mg/dl for women.
Niacin
Niacin works to decrease cholesterol levels in the human body through two mechanisms. First, niacin decreases the number of fatty acids traveling through the blood. By doing this, niacin decreases triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. Next, niacin decreases the amount of triglycerides made by the liver. This leads to a lower amount of circulating LDL cholesterol.
Doses
Niacin is available as a prescription medication and as an over-the-counter dietary supplement. For treating high cholesterol, it is best to take the prescription version of niacin given to you by your doctor. The prescription-strength niacin comes in an extended-release and regular tablet form. The extended-release tablet is taken once daily, whereas the regular tablet may need to be taken up to three times per day. Follow your doctor's prescription to ensure proper dosing.
Side Effects
Niacin has a limited number of side effects compared to other common cholesterol-lowering medications. These side effects can include headache, skin flushing, nausea, blurred vision, diarrhea, heartburn and bloating. More serious side effects including dizziness, fainting, rapid heart rate and yellowing of the skin or eyes may occur. If these serious side effects begin, call your doctor immediately.
