subject: Discovering Niacin Side Effects [print this page] Unless Niacin is taken in a very exact and accurate quantity, it can have severe side effects. More on that later but first let me give a brief introduction about what Niacin is.
Niacin is a water soluble vitamin, known as B3. It is important for the metabolism of fat in the body. Many vitamins are important components necessary for many processes in the body. But they are not synthesised in the body and have to be supplemented in the diet or from other outside sources.
Niacin has proved to be beneficial in breaking down fats and lowering the level of bad cholesterol in the body. Cholesterol is a waxy susbstance produced by the body to build up cell membranes. The low density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered to be bad cholesterol because of its tendency to line the arterial walls and form cholesterol plaque in due course of time. This plaque narrows down the artery thereby leading to risk of heart disease. On the other hand, the high density lipoprotein (HDL) is good cholesterol as it breaks down the plaque and takes it away from the arteries to the liver from where it is disposed off. High levels of HDL and low levels of LDL are therefore, good for the body. Niacin helps to do just that. It lowers the level of LDL and triglycerides in the blood and increases the amount of HDL by 25%.
Niacin supplements
Foods like meats, dairy products, eggs and beans are good sources of niacin. Most of the time, the vitamins get diluted during digestion and assimilation of food. Moreover, we do not always eat a balanced diet and junk food makes us deficient in certin vitamins and minerals. Hence, it is necessary to supplement our diet with multivitamins. Niacin in multivitamins is very less compared to the levels needed for cholesterol maintenance. Two types of niacin administration are usually followed immediate release and timed release.
Side Effects of Niacin
Niacin can have very severe side effects including but not restricted to acute(flushing, headache, stomachache)and chronic(liver damage, diabetes, gastritis, eye damage, and possibly gout)toxicity can alsooccur.. It is always better to take vitamins and minerals together because they work synergetically with each other.
Niacin is commonly given alongwith a statin in order to be effective for cholesterol control. Therefore, in addition to the niacin side effects, statin side effects are also to be borne by the patient.
Countering the side effects
The safest and best bet would be to take the recommended dose of Niacin which is about 20 mg per day found in multivitamin tablets. Sustained release tablets gradually introduce niacin into the system delaying the reaction time of the body and controlling the side effects to some extent.
Niacin has to be given in high doses for reducing cholesterol significantly which may prove to be lethal. Therefore, always consult your doctor and inform him immediately in case of any discomfort.
