Vitamin B3 for Triglyceride Reduction
Niacin lowers triglycerides effectively but failed to improve outcomes and caused harm in trials.
Overview
Verdict
How It Works
Dosing & Protocol
Typical dose
- Recommended dose
- Prescription niacin only, under supervision
- Expected timeframe
- 4-8 weeks
Protocol
- form
- Only nicotinic acid (immediate or extended-release) affects lipids - the nicotinamide/niacinamide and no-flush inositol hexanicotinate forms sold as supplements do not
- duration
- AIM-HIGH ran 3 years and HPS2-THRIVE 4 years
- co factor
- Evidence indicates the biomarker improves and the outcome does not. Nicotinic acid at gram doses reliably lowers triglycerides by 20-50% and raises HDL, which made it a mainstay for decades. Two large outcome trials ended that: AIM-HIGH, adding niacin to statin therapy in 3,414 patients, was stopped early for futility, and HPS2-THRIVE, in 25,673 patients, found no reduction in vascular events and a significant excess of serious adverse events including new-onset diabetes, infection, bleeding and myopathy. Guidelines have since largely abandoned niacin for lipid management.
- titration
- Not applicable - the effective doses are pharmacological and were tested in outcome trials that failed
- starting dose
- Not recommended. Extended-release nicotinic acid was studied at 1,500-2,000 mg/day; nicotinamide and inositol hexanicotinate have no lipid effect at all
Evidence
What the studies say
No studies are yet linked to both Vitamin B3 and Triglyceride Reduction.
Safety
Caveats
Flushing, hepatotoxicity and increased diabetes risk. Not recommended as a self-directed supplement.
Less likely to help if
Medical Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before starting any supplement regimen.
Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.