Niacin

One of the B vitamins, also called nicotinic acid or vitamin B3 , niacin is essential for good health and the functioning of the digestive system, skin, and nerves. It is also important for the conversion of food to energy. Niacin is found chiefly in meats, beans, and whole grains.

Claims, benefits: A safe and natural way to improve cholesterol levels.

Evidence: In high doses, niacin can improve blood cholesterol levels and also reduce high levels of triglycerides (fats in the blood). Available over the counter and by prescription, niacin comes in doses of 1 to 3 grams per day (70 to 200 times the recommended dietary intake), which can reduce total cholesterol and LDL ("bad") cholesterol by up to 30%. Niacin can substantially increase HDL ("good") cholesterol and reduce triglycerides, and may have other beneficial effects on blood lipids. Other anti-cholesterol drugs have little or no effect on HDL and triglycerides.

Side effects: Taken in therapeutic doses, niacin is a drug, with potential side effects like any drug. The most common of these are flushing and itching. Extended-release niacin usually produces less flushing. It can also produce stomach upset and, in rare cases, liver damage. (Nonprescription extended-release niacin is more likely to cause liver damage, so you should avoid it.)

Bottom line: If you have high cholesterol or high triglycerides, discuss your drug choices with your doctor. You should begin niacin therapy only under medical supervision. As with other cholesterol-lowering drugs, you will need to be monitored to make sure it is achieving the desired results. In some cases, niacin is prescribed along with a statin or other kind of cholesterol-lowering drug.