Pro's - Niacin lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and
raises good HDL cholesterol.
I understand that we all feel a need to lower our cholesterol
because this is what's been pounded into us again and again.
"I can't take statins, so what else do I do to lower my
cholesterol?" That's the question I hear time after time.
Some doctors suggest the various forms of niacin.
Keep in mind that 50% of the people that have aheart attack
or stroke, have normal or below normalcholesterol levels.
My main objection to niacin:
Therapeutic (pharmacologic) doses (100 mg to 1,000 mg)
cause an elevation in homocysteine levels.
75 mg or more can cause side effects.
"Niacin Treatment Increases Plasma Homocyst(e)ine Levels"
Homocysteine is a toxic amino acid that is one of the major
causes of heart disease.Elevated homocysteine is arisk factor
that was established in the late 1960's by Dr Kilmer McCully,
(technically speaking -"elevated homocysteine causes arterial
lesions by a direct effect on the cells and tissues of the arteries")
but his hypothesis was quickly swept "under the carpet".
Dr Graveline's website featuresan article about "McCully's
Heart Protection Diet", which provides necessary B vitamins
and controls homocysteine.
There's additional info below re: niacin's side effects and
possible drug interactions (the Con's).
I had trouble finding a complete list of side effects from any one
source, so I've merged a list from several different sources. You'll
noticeniacin's side effects are very similar to those of statins.
Taking any one of the B complex vitamins for a long period of
time can result in an imbalance of other important B vitamins.
For this reason, it is generally important to take a B complex
vitamin with any single B vitamin.
Peoplewith gout, gallbladder disease,liver disease, asthma,
bleeding disorders, ulcers or those who drink alcohol regularly
shouldnot useniacin. Those with diabetes need to use caution
due to decreased glucose tolerance.
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Natural sources of niacin: lean meats, peanuts, beef liver, poultry,
canned tuna, salmon, leafy green vegetables (not a complete list).
Niacin - Vitamin B-3, Nicotinic Acid, Niacinamide, Nicotinamide,
Inositol Hexaniacinate
There are also several prescription strength sources of niacin:
Niaspan, Nicolar, Slo-Niacin, Niacor, Nicotinex, Niacinol
Some side effects are due to higher doses of niacin (various forms)
- Upwards towards 3,000 mg:
• flushing of the face and neck(redness, itching, warmth, redness)
•tingling sensations of the extremities
•stomach and digestive problems, including bloating, gas, and nausea
•vomiting
•fever
• peptic ulcers
•heartburn
•diarrhea
• night sweats
• trouble breathing
•blurred vision
• palpitations, cardiac fibrillations, or other arrhythmias
• decreased glucose tolerance
• migraines
• skin rashes
• skin hyperpigmentation
• abnormal liver function tests
• jaundice
• dark urine
• liver failure
• muscle injury
• weakness
•swelling
•dizziness
•faintness
Possible Drug Interactions
Source:
If you are currently being treated with any of the following
medications, you should not use niacin without first talking
to your healthcare provider. Blood tests to monitor for liver
injury should be performed before niacin therapy begins,
every 6-12 weeks for the first year, and then occasionally
thereafter.
Antibiotics, Tetracycline
Niacin should not be taken at the same time as the antibiotic
tetracycline because it interferes with the absorption and
effectiveness of this medication. Niacin either alone or in
combination with other B vitamins should be taken at different
times from tetracycline. (All vitamin B complex supplements
act in this way and should therefore be taken at different times
from tetracycline.)
Aspirin
Taking aspirin before taking niacin may reduce flushing
associated with this vitamin. This should only be done under
the advice of a healthcare practitioner.
Blood Pressure Medications, Alpha-blockers
When niacin is taken with certain blood pressure medications
known as alpha-blockers (such as prazosin, doxazosin, and
guanabenz), the likelihood of side effects from these
medications is increased.
Cholesterol-lowering Medications
Niacin binds bile-acid sequestrants (cholesterol-lowering
medications such as colestipol, colesevelam, and cholestyramine)
and may decrease their effectiveness. For this reason, niacin and
these medications should be taken at different times of the day.
As described earlier, recent scientific evidence suggests that
taking niacin with simvastatin (a drug that belongs to a class of
cholesterol-lowering medications known as HMG-CoA reductase
inhibitors or statins including atorvastatin and lovastatin as well),
appears to slow down the progression of heart disease. However,
the combination may also increase the likelihood for serious side
effects, such as muscle inflammation or liver damage.
Diabetes Medications
People taking insulin, metformin, glyburide, glipizide, or other
medications used to treat high blood sugar levels should monitor
their blood sugar levels closely when taking niacin supplements.
Isoniazid (INH)
INH, a medication used to treat tuberculosis, may deplete levels
of niacin and cause a deficiency.
Nicotine Patches
The use of nicotine patches with niacin may worsen or increase
the risk of flushing reactions associated with this vitamin when
used medicinally.