What Are the Benefits of Taking Niacin?

Niacin, or vitamin B3, is most widely known for its use in improving cholesterol levels. Some other benefits of taking niacin are also backed up by strong scientific evidence, while some possible benefits have less evidence to back them up.

Strong Scientific Evidence: Battle High Cholesterol

• Scientific studies have proven time and again that niacin boosts the high-density lipoproteins that form "good" cholesterol. Studies that have taken the research a step further have also found that taking niacin offers more benefit to your HDL than taking the prescription drugs known as statins.

Strong Scientific Evidence: Combat Niacin Deficiency

• Another obvious benefit of taking niacin is as a cure for niacin deficiency, also known as pellagra. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of niacin for this purpose.

Good Scientific Evidence: Prevent Atherosclerosis

• Since niacin reduces high cholesterol, there is a positive link to niacin slowing down the process of atherosclerosis, also known as "hardening of the arteries." However, studies have found that niacin should be taken with a prescription medication to receive the full benefits.

Good Scientific Evidence: Preventing Another Heart Attack

• Niacin may prevent fatal heart attacks when combined with other cholesterol-reducing medications. Stemming from niacin's ability to improve cholesterol levels, niacin has also been found to reduce the occurence of heart disease, when used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Unclear Scientific Evidence

• Slowing down the process of age-related macular degeneration and Alzheimer's disease are two possible benefits of taking niacin that have less scientific evidence to back them up. More studies are necessary to arrive at definitive conclusions.

Beware: Dangerous Side Effects or Interactions

• Caution is required when taking niacin with insulin or other prescription diabetes drugs. Diabetics are warned that an adjustment in insulin dosing is necessary when beginning a niacin regimen. Any use of medications that affect blood sugar levels must be executed with extreme care.

  Other dangerous effects include liver toxicity, an increase in blood clots, worsening of stomach ulcers, low blood pressure, and muscle cell damage. Patients should be monitored by a medical professional with liver blood tests while using niacin.