Your total cholesterol level is made of both LDL and HDL cholesterol. LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, is known as "bad" cholesterol as it is the type of cholesterol that clogs your arteries. HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, is the "good" cholesterol as it transports bad cholesterol to your liver for disposal. Keeping your LDL level low, and your HDL level high, can lower your risks of heart disease and stroke. The use of niacin alone can increase your HDL by 25 to 35 percent. Ask your doctor if niacin treatment is appropriate for you.
Types of Niacin
Niacin, also known as vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that is widely used in high doses to increase levels of HDL cholesterol. Other forms of B3, known as niacinamide and inositol hexanicotinate, are not effective in treating high cholesterol. In addition, over-the-counter niacin supplements labeled as "no-flush niacin" are also not effective in treating cholesterol.
Niacin Therapy
The use of high-dose niacin in the form of nicotinic acid has been a successfully used treatment for the management of cholesterol since the 1950s. Although known to lower LDL cholesterol, it is more effective in increasing HDL cholesterol than any other medication. High-dose niacin is available by prescription from your doctor, and may cause unpleasant or even dangerous side effects when taken in doses of 50 mg or higher. The administration of high-dose niacin therapy should only occur under the supervision of your doctor.
Combination Therapy
The use of niacin in combination with statins may provide increased cholesterol management in people with high LDL and low HDL levels. In some cases, combination therapy can reduce LDL levels more effectively than the use of statins alone, and can increase HDL levels by 50 percent or greater.
Warnings
The use of niacin may cause side effects including skin flushing, stomach upset, headache, dizziness and blurred vision. In addition, there is an increased risk of liver damage and stomach ulcers with niacin treatment. If you have a history of liver disease or stomach ulcers, you should not take niacin.
References
- MayoClinic.com: High Cholesterol: Treatments and Drugs
- FamilyDoctor.org: Cholesterol: What Your Level Means
- American Heart Association: About Cholesterol
- MayoClinic.com: Niacin to Boost Your HDL "Good" Cholesterol
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin B3--Niacin
- Cleveland Clinic: Niacin May Boost Healthy Cholesterol
