Niacin And Cholesterol
Niacin, also known as nicotinic acid, is vitamin B3. It is soluble in water and is able to lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels and raise HDL cholesterol levels when given in doses that is much higher than recommended for goo health.
A typical starting dose is 250mg taken three times a day. This is progressive increased to a maximun daily dose of 4.5g. This is a lot when the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) which is 13mg for women and 19mg for men!
However Niacin can lower LDL cholesterol by 10-20%, lower triglycerides by 20-50% and raise HDL levels by 15-35%.
Unfortunately, this kind of medication does not come without its side effects. Due to the widening of the blood vessels caused by niacin, you may experience frequent hot flushes. It is not recommended for menopausal women.
In addition it can upset the digestive system causing nausea, indigestion, gas and diarrhea. People suffering from peptic ulcers should avoid Naicin as it can seriously aggravate the problem.
Other problematic side effects include gout, an increase in blood sugar levels and inflamation of the liver.