Both niacin and calcium are essential nutrients for healthy body function. The two share similarities in the types of roles they play. Each nutrient serves as vital players in chemical reactions involving enzyme activity. Niacin and calcium are prescribed to treat a variety of conditions. In their own way, they also help maintain cardiovascular health. You should consult your doctor, however, before taking large doses of either nutrient because of the risk of drug interactions and other unexpected consequences.
Niacin Benefits
Significant health benefits of niacin, or vitamin B-3, include lowering the risk of heart disease. Therapeutic doses of niacin can help lower total cholesterol as well as triglycerides, which reduces the risk of arterial plaque buildup and resulting cardiac disease. Niacin may also reduce the symptoms of migraines. A 2005 study published in "Nutrition Journal," found that niacin may help relieve symptoms of migraines and tension headaches due to its effect on influencing blood vessel dilation. Recommended intake is 16 mg per day for men and 14 mg for women.
Calcium Benefits
Calcium shares similar cardiovascular health benefits as niacin due to its role in controlling blood vessel constriction and relaxation. A 2000 scientific review by the National Dairy Council published in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition," found that a diet that included 1,000 to 1,200 mg of calcium effectively treated moderate high blood pressure.
Therapeutic Uses
Niacin and calcium have certain therapeutic applications. Both nutrients are prescribed to treat dietary deficiencies and to reduce the complications they may cause. Niacin is often prescribed as a cholesterol-lowering agent. It is also used to prevent secondary cardiac events in patients who have experienced a heart attack. Calcium is a common ingredient in antacids because of its ability to neutralize acids. It is also used to treat osteoporosis. About 99 percent of your body's calcium resides in your bones and teeth. The body will break down bone to ensure adequate resources. Supplementation can help preserve the health of your bones.
Safety
Drugs.com reports that no adverse drug interactions exist between niacin and calcium in their records. At larger doses, both nutrients present some health risks. Niacin may cause flushing or redness of skin, especially when taken with hot beverages or alcohol. Because of its effects on cholesterol, you should consult a doctor before taking niacin especially if you are on cholesterol-lowering medications. Calcium in high doses may cause a or constipation. It may interact with antibiotics such as tetracycline. You should also drink plenty of fluids while taking calcium to prevent the formation of kidney stones. When taken in recommended doses, niacin and calcium offer safe health benefits.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute; Niacin; Victoria J. Drake; June 2007
- "Nutrition Journal"; The Treatment of Migraines and Tension-Type Headaches with Intravenous and Oral Niacin (Nicotinic Acid): Systematic Review of the Literature; J. Prousky and D. Seely; January 2005
- "Principles of Anatomy and Physiology"; G. Tortora et al; 2005
- "Journal of the American College of Nutrition"; Benefits of Dairy Product Consumption on Blood Pressure in Humans: A Summary of the Biomedical Literature; G. Miller, et al.; April 2000
- Drugs.com; Niacin; April 12, 2009
- Drugs.com; Calcium Carbonate; December 15, 2010
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