Niacin Cholesterol

Niacin is a common type of B vitamin that can help you keep your cholesterol levels in a healthy range and therefore reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. It is also known as nicotenic acid. Your body uses niacin to turn carbohydrates into energy. Research has shown that it's also beneficial to the nervous system, digestive system, skin, hair and eyes.

Niacin helps increase your HDL level. HDL stands for high density lipoprotein, and is more commonly known as "good" cholesterol. It helps keep your artery walls clean by attaching itself to LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol and flushing it out of your bloodstream through your liver. LDL is the type of cholesterol that sticks to artery walls and raises your risk of heart disease.

Boosting HDL levels is as important as lowering LDL. Your doctor will look at the ratio between these two types of cholesterol as one of the parameters for diagnosing your risk of heart problems. The combination of HDL and LDL is part of your total cholesterol measurement. 

Niacin has begun to generate more media attention and publicity in recent years, but it still isn't talked about as much as a number of prescription cholesterol-lowering medications. Niacin is readily available without a prescription at most pharmacies and even grocery stores. There are also more powerful brands of niacin that are only available by prescription, including Niaspan, Niacor and Slo-Niacin.

Niacin also comes from food you eat. It can be found in dairy products, lean meats, poultry, fish, nuts, eggs, and certain enriched breads and cereals.

Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L). An HDL level below 40 for men and 50 for women places them at risk for heart trouble. A cholesterol reading above 60 mg/dL or 1.6 mmol/L is considered ideal for both men or women.

Does niacin have side effects?

You can get niacin in either fast acting or slow acting forms. Some forms of niacin cause you to feel flush and turn your skin slightly red and warm to the touch in various parts of your body. This flushing effect usually happens when you take a higher dose (considered to be 1000 milligrams or more). It can be annoying (or even frightening if you don't expect it), but it isn't harmful. Aspirin can be used to counteract it. Alcohol of hot drinks may make the flush feeling more intense.

Other side effects happen to certain individuals, including dizziness, headaches and upset stomach. Liver damage is possible in rare instances. It may also raise blood sugar levels. Talk to your doctor about proper dosage levels.

There are a number of other things you can do besides taking niacin to lower cholesterol levels.

• Follow a low cholesterol diet that includes a lot of fruits and vegetables. Avoid foods that contain high levels of the so called "trans fats. Trans fats are found in baked goods like donuts, pre-packaged "convenience" foods, and many foods that come from animals.
• Eat foods that raise HDL. This includes certain kinds of oils (like olive oil), nuts (especially walnuts and almonds), and certain kinds of grains.
• Do not smoke
• Talk to your doctor about an exercise program. Exercise elevates your heart rate, which moves blood through your circulatory system faster and helps keep your artery walls clear and flexible. See our article on atherosclerosis.

If you do these things and your LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio is still too high, your doctor may suggest niacin.

Niacin is often used in conjunction with cholesterol lowering medications for individuals with high blood cholesterol. But do not take it without talking to your doctor, especially if you are taking other medications. Certain dangerous drug interactions are possible.
 

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