Niacinamide, also known as niacin, is a water-soluble B vitamin that is used to help lower so-called “bad” LDL cholesterol, raise “good” HDL cholesterol, and lower triglycerides. It can also change the small, dangerous “A” particles of LDL cholesterol to the larger, fluffier “B” ones.
But niacin can cause flushing. Because it’s debatable whether or not “non-flushing” niacin is as effective, I still recommend regular niacin.
If you want to supplement with niacin to lower cholesterol, start off very slowly, at a low dosage of 250 to 500 mg, and double the dose every two months until you’re taking 3,000 mg a day.
You can also ease the flushing by taking one aspirin along with the niacin. Take the niacin at night so that if a flush does occur, you’ll be less likely to notice it while you are sleeping. Flushing is not a serious symptom. It merely indicates that the small blood vessels of the skin are opening up.
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