Health care providers have been prescribing Vitamin B3, more specifically, the nicotinic acid form of vitamin B3 since the mid 50’s [1].
The Coronary Drug Project (CDP) followed over 8,000 men who had at least one heart attack for six years. When researchers compared findings with placebo, they found that 3g of nicotinic acid per day was responsible for [2]:
10% reduction in total serum cholesterol (nicotinic acid significantly increased HDL cholesterol {the good}, while decreasing LDL cholesterol {the bad}),
26% reduction in triglycerides,
27% reduction in recurrent nonfatal heart attacks
26% reduction in strokes and transient ischemic attacks.
But people have to be smart about self prescribing vitamin B3 (nicotinic acid) to lower serum cholesterol. Vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) has no such effects on the body [3].
Because of the biological effects of nicotinic acid on the body a UL (Tolerable Upper Intake) of both form of vitamin B3 has been set at 35mg [4]. As you can see, in order to get the clinical effects described in the CDP study above, you would have to consume about 86x of the UL (Tolerable Upper Intake Level).
And at these doses Vitamin B3 can become toxic and may cause [5]:
flushing, itching, tingling headaches due to the vasodilatory effects,
heartburn, nausea, possibly vomiting,
liver problems (jaundice, increased transaminase and alkaline phosphatase enzymes),
possible gout,
elevated blood glucose levels (this is very bad if you are a diabetic).
But interestingly enough, the other form of vitamin B3 nicotinamide might proof very effective in the prevention of Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (Type I Diabetes or IDDM) [6].
Thus it is best to use vitamin B3 for cholesterol lowering purposes only under the supervision of a physician.
Beste Gesundheit,
Werner
References:
1. Higdon J. Niacin. Oregon State University, Linus Pauling Institute
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3. Gropper S., Smith J., Groff J. Advanced nutrition and human metabolism. (2009 5ed). Wadsworth, Belmont CA pps 334-38
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6. Higdon J. Niacin. Oregon State University, Linus Pauling Institute