Niacin for High Cholesterol

In the present day situation, the risk for heart and cardiovascular diseases are worrying issues for many people worldwide. Hence, it is understandable that medical studies and researches are being focused on the possible treatments for high cholesterol and high blood pressure. There are myriads of therapeutic formulations for lowering high cholesterol and hypertension, some of which may result in mild to severe adverse effects.

The challenge is to look out for treatment options of high cholesterol that do not pose side effects and complications. A recently discovered milestone in medical science is effectiveness of niacin for high cholesterol. Niacin (actually vitamin B3) is a water-soluble type of vitamin, which plays a primary role in various metabolic processes of the body system, including production of energy, red blood cells (RBCs), proteins and hormones.

As we all are aware, there are two types of cholesterol in the body, namely low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL). According to their role in cholesterol metabolism, LDL is known as bad cholesterol and HDL as good cholesterol. In an individual with high cholesterol reading, it is imperative to reduce the amount of bad cholesterol and increase that of good cholesterol. Niacin or nicotinic acid is helpful for both the purposes, thus lowering the total cholesterol level.

Niacin taken alone or in conjunction with other cholesterol lowering drugs help in keeping the cholesterol under recommended levels. The doctor may prescribe any of the niacin types, either immediate release or slow release formulations to treat the symptoms of high cholesterol. As per a study conducted on patients with high cholesterol, it is observed that niacin is effective for elevating HDL cholesterol by about 15-35 percent and reducing the LDL cholesterol by about 10-20 percent.

Niacin is present abundantly in certain groups of plants and animals. Even though you can get niacin supplements in the market, it is best to rely on the natural sources of this water-soluble vitamin, which include vegetables, eggs, dairy products, fish, poultry and lean meat. An important note for people who have underlying conditions like bleeding problems, serious liver disease and stomach ulcer is to seek medical advice before administering niacin supplements for high cholesterol treatment.

You might be wondering about the dosage of niacin for lowering high cholesterol. The recommended dose of niacin to treat high cholesterol symptoms depends upon the patient's current cholesterol levels, underlying medical problems and other prescription medication. In general, the physician prescribes lower doses of niacin in the first stages of treatment, which eventually increases to approximately 1.5-3 grams niacin daily. During the treatment period with niacin, the patient should be monitored closely for any abnormal side effects like hot flashes and gastrointestinal symptoms.

In spite of the health benefits of niacin for high cholesterol and other health conditions, it is to be borne in mind that over intake of this vitamin can lead to medical complications. Niacin side effects and/or toxicity of niacin is rare amongst individuals who consume natural sources of niacin for combating the risks of high cholesterol. In simple terms, niacin supplements for high cholesterol should only be taken within the recommended dose as prescribed by the concerned physician.