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Niacin: Drugs
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Niacin (nicotinic acid), a drug used to regulate blood lipid (fat) levels, is associated with side effects that are harmful to the liver. The drug is available in several forms, including a crystalline form and sustained-release (SR) capsules. The case studies of three patients who developed hepatitis while taking SR niacin are presented.
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Niacin can raise HDL — the "good" cholesterol — by 15 percent to 35 percent. This makes niacin the most effective drug available for raising HDL cholesterol. While niacin's effect on HDL is of most interest, it's worth noting that niacin ... decreases your LDL and triglyceride levels. High levels of LDL and triglycerides are significant risk factors for heart disease.
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Niacin can function as a vasodilator. It is suggested that Niacin can help to widen dilation of blood vessels. Some suggest that Niacin may be a natural substitute for the drug minoxidil (Rogain) because of its function as a vasodilator. Topical application of niacin may be beneficial to hair growth since it enhances blood circulation of the scalp and stimulates the metabolism of hair follicles.
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Niacin decreases levels of cholesterol, lipoprotein (a), and fibrinogen, which can reduce the risk of heart disease. However, niacin ... increases homocysteine levels, which can increase this risk. Numerous studies have looked at the effects of niacin, alone and in combination with other drugs, for the prevention of heart disease and fatal heart attacks. Overall, this research suggests benefits of niacin, especially when combined with other cholesterol-lowering drugs.
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Niacin is cheap, so its effectiveness in reducing cholesterol levels may be an inexpensive solution to reducing a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. When monitored properly by a natural physician, niacin therapy can be almost as effective as the popular (and expensive) statin drugs for lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Niacin may be the most cost-effective lipid-lowering agent currently available.
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Niacin can be very effective and safe in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels and ... in increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. In combination with other lipid-lowering drugs (eg, bile acid sequestrants), it has reduced the incidence of cardiovascular events and stopped the progression of coronary artery lesions. It may be the most cost-effective lipid-lowering agent currently available. At lower doses, sustained-release forms of niacin may also improve patient compliance.
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