Niacin, also referred to as vitamin B3, is one of eight B vitamins that play a role in converting the food you eat into usable energy. Niacin also helps create and repair DNA, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Most people in the United States consume all the niacin they need through diet. As a result, niacin deficiency is uncommon. While high doses of niacin, particularly in supplement form, present a number of serious risks, supplements may also be useful for regulating cholesterol in certain people, if used under medical supervision, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements.
If you’re looking to use niacin to lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and increase HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels, consult with your doctor before adding supplements to your diet. However, due to its risk profile and its lower efficacy compared with newer medications, niacin is now rarely recommended for managing cholesterol, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Niacin Dietary Sources and Daily Value
A number of foods contain niacin, including certain lean meats and fish, rice, seeds, soy products, enriched cereals, and bread. The recommended daily value of niacin for adults is 16 milligrams (mg) per day — an amount more than 30 times less than a 500 mg dose.
You can easily meet this daily requirement by consuming niacin-rich foods, including the following, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements:
- Skinless chicken breast: 10.3 mg per 3-ounce (oz) serving
- Marinara sauce, ready-to-serve: 10.3 mg per 1-cup serving
- Sockeye salmon, 8.6 mg per 3 oz serving
- Light canned tuna, 8.6 mg per 3 oz serving
- Fortified breakfast cereal, 4 mg per serving
- Dry-roasted sunflower seeds, 2 mg per 1 oz serving
High-Dose Niacin to Lower Cholesterol
Aside from treating niacin deficiency, high doses of niacin — typically 500 to 1,000 mg — have been used to treat high cholesterol. Doses this high usually require a prescription, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements.
High-dose niacin was once frequently used to modulate cholesterol levels — to reduce LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol. But research showed that newer cholesterol management medications, such as statins, were more effective at both cholesterol modulation and reducing cardiovascular disease risk. This led to statins becoming the first-line treatment for managing cholesterol, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Because of the preference for statins and the risks and side effects that can come with niacin, it’s now rarely recommended as a cholesterol treatment.
Risks and Side Effects Associated With Niacin
According to one study, a molecule formed when excess niacin is metabolized has been connected to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. It was also found to directly promote inflammation in blood vessels. Researchers found that one in four study participants had high enough levels of this molecule to double their risk of heart attack, stroke, or death.
Niacin has also been associated with an increased risk of diabetes, gastrointestinal issues, gout, liver problems, low blood pressure, skin flushing, and stomach ulcers. It’s also contraindicated for people on some medications, including certain diabetes medications, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Due to current prescribing recommendations and the potential risks and side effects connected with niacin, it’s unlikely your doctor will suggest you use it to manage cholesterol. Discuss the specifics of your situation with your doctor before you take any supplements.
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