Niacin, has been used by patients to increase HDL (good) cholesterol and helps remove LDL (bad) cholesterol. The benefits of this B vitamin however, are not for everyone. Niacin is available in prescription strength and over the counter. Niacin can raise LDLs but can also raise blood sugar, cause bleeding, stroke and. Liver damage. Due to the risks, niacin is only given to people that can not tolerate statin medications to lower cholesterol. Eating healthy, exercising and smoking cessation can also help with cholesterol levels with no bad side effects.
Key Takeaways:
- Niacan is a vitamin in the B complex. It has been shown to create energy.
- Niacin raises HDL cholesterol thus reducing multiple risks such as heart disease.
- If you are on cholesterol medication it is not likely that you will see a benefit from adding niacin to your diet.
“Niacin, a B vitamin, has long been used to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol — the “good” cholesterol that helps remove low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the “bad” cholesterol from your bloodstream.”
Read more: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/niacin/art-20046208