Niacin Side Effects: What If Using Niacin for High Cholesterol Isn’t as Safe as They Say?

So you’re wondering about niacin side effects and if there’s ‘more to the story’ you haven’t been told, right?

As you probably already know, a lot of doctors are starting to suggest (dare I say “prescribe”) niacin to their patients to help lower cholesterol.

I want to share some interesting research findings on niacin in just a minute, but first, let’s get right to the point…

Is niacin a good alternative for you vs. using the cholesterol lowering statin drugs?

Look, I think you know how I feel about statin drugs … almost ANYTHING outside of cyanide is good compared to a statin drug.

I HATE these drugs with a passion and it’s a mission in life to help a million people steer clear of statin drugs and their side effects.

We don’t need to go deep into that conversation today, but yeah … if your only choice was between niacin and a statin … take niacin. (By default.)

But what you probably haven’t been told about niacin is this…

You need VERY high doses of niacin before it’s shown to have any effect on lowering cholesterol.

In fact, you need as much as 1-3 full grams of niacin a day before it would make a dent in your cholesterol numbers.

FYI: A common amount per niacin capsule is 100mg, or 1/10th to 1/30th of the recommended amount. So you would need to take between 10 to 30 capsules a day to get to the recommended dose that will make an impact.

Now granted, niacin is cheap enough that taking 3 grams a day could still be very affordable. Although 10-30 capsules isn’t exactly convenient.

But Here’s The Real Problem with High Dosage Niacin…

Once you get up into that 1-3 grams a day range that’s needed to provide cholesterol reduction benefits, you’ll run into some of the very same side effects you would if you were taking a statin drug.

Most people are well aware of the flushing effect that usually occurs with taking niacin. But did you know that high dose niacin has been directly linked to liver toxicity as well?

The Mayo Clinic and The Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University are just two highly acclaimed research facilities that are warning of the potential dangers of high dosage niacin usage.

Common niacin side effects include:

Let me talk for a minute about the last item on the side effect list above: the over production of liver enzymes…

Do You Have Any Idea How Serious That Is?

Your liver can only produce a finite number of enzymes. Once the liver starts cranking out too many enzymes – well, you’re basically shortening the life of your liver.

And when you shorten the life of your liver … that’s not exactly great news for your life span, now is it?

Summary: On one hand, I’m encouraged that some doctors are recommending a nutrient instead of a drug. But I’m still scratching my head at niacin being that choice. Especially when you can lower cholesterol naturally and safely with other supplements.

The research on niacin has been very clear. It takes quite a bit … 1-3 grams a day … before it’s effective at lowering cholesterol. And at that dosage requirement, niacin comes with risky and dangerous side effects. Some of which are eerily similar to statin drugs.

Conclusion: Due to the long list (and serious nature) of niacin side effects, I do not recommend the use of niacin for cholesterol reduction.

Colin Carmichael
Author, Consultant
Send Colin an eMail
937-684-4187

To get access to proven and safe cholesterol-lowering tips, you’ll want to join the delighted members of my “Crunch Cholesterol” team. (Don’t worry, it’s absolutely free.)

As you use these tips for yourself, you’ll truly appreciate how fast and easy it can be to safely lower cholesterol on your own … no drugs or crazy diets required.