Niacin is a natural solution that rivals cholesterol-lowering drugs for effectiveness. Niacin or Vitamin B3 supplementation is a natural way to lower cholesterol, rivaling prescription drugs for results in mild to moderate cases. Niacin helps decrease ‘bad’ cholesterol levels and promotes circulatory health. It is one of the eight water-soluble B vitamins important for nervous system health and for enzyme reactions that control energy, circulation and hormone levels.
Niacin forms part of the coenzymes NAD (nicotine adenine dinucleotide) and NADP (nicotine adenine dinucleotide phosphate), which play a vital role in energy production, metabolism of fat, cholesterol, and carbohydrates. It also supports the manufacture of many body compounds, including adrenal gland hormones and sex hormones. In addition, niacin helps rid the body of harmful, toxic chemicals.
Niacin has many therapeutic benefits, but in its regular form can cause a hot, itchy ‘niacin flush’, particularly of the face and neck. In some people it can cause gastrointestinal complaints and weakness [Head KA. 1996].
Inositol hexaniacinate (Inositol Nicotinate), available as No Flush Niacin, 500 mg from webber naturals®, provides all of the traditional benefits of niacin therapy without the niacin flush. Benefit From Niacin! Although few North Americans are deficient in niacin, many people can benefit from use of niacin supplements to improve high cholesterol levels, metabolism, and energy. Niacin is also involved in the regulation of antioxidant and detoxification reactions.
Supplementing with niacin can lower bad LDL-cholesterol levels while raising good HDL-cholesterol levels. Research shows that niacin’s effects compare favorably to cholesterol-lowering drugs.
In one study, niacin reduced LDL by approximately 17% and triglycerides by 18% while raising HDL cholesterol by 16% [Birjmohun RS, et al, 2005]. Used in Europe for more than 30 years, inositol hexaniacinate is a niacin form composed of six nicotinic acid molecules bound to one molecule of inositol. Although both forms of Vitamin B3 niacin (nicotinic acid and inositol hexaniacinate) have cholesterol-lowering benefits, inositol hexaniacinate does not cause skin flushing and poses much less risk of liver damage when used for a long period of time [Head KA. 1996].
For lipid-lowering and for improving circulatory health, recommended dosages of No Flush Niacin range from 1500 mg to 4 grams daily, divided into two or three doses. Consult a physician before use if you have impaired liver function, or are taking cholesterol-lowering drugs or anticonvulsants. References:
Head KA. Inositol hexaniacinate: a safer alternative to niacin. Altern Med Rev. 1996; 1:176-184
Birjmohun RS, Hutten BA, Kastelein JJ, Stroes ES. Efficacy and safety of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol-increasing compounds: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005 Jan 18; 45(2):185-97
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