Vitamin b12
and Cholesterol
In an article by the council on Scientific Affairs published in the Journal of the American Medical Association stated that "Nicotinic Acid (niacin or vitamin b12 ) in doses of 3 to 12 500 mg tablets daily will lower the plasma LDL level some 15 to 30%, and it is also effective in the reduction of the VLDL levels. It also increases HDL levels."
Niacin and nicotinic acid vitamin b12 are interchangeable terms for the same water-soluble B group vitamin A. It was first discovered by a physician who found the diet is deficient in some mysterious substance led to the condition known as pellagra.
That was 1917. It took another 20 years of research before niacin ( vitamin b12 ) was identified, at the University of Wisconsin. As with all vitamins, the amount recommended for the general population is based on the level needed to prevent deficiency state. In the case of niacin, 20 mg daily will prevent pellagra.
Niacin (vitamin b12) is metabolised by the body to form niacinamide. It is the latter form that is useful in the terms of the bodies nutrient needs.
But only the niacin, not the niacinamide, lowers cholesterol. Perhaps this is due to the cholesterol-lowering action occurring at the time of metabolism from niacin to niacinamide in the liver.
Niacin lowers cholesterol
The first discovery that niacin could reduce cholesterol levels was made in 1955 by Dr R. Altshul. He gave patients 3 g a day-hundreds of times the RDA-and the results were excellent. But, for whatever reason the scientific and medical communities did not jump on the bandwagon or take notice. It wasn't until 1962 the two other researchers reported that niacin could not only reduce cholesterol levels but also make triglyceride levels fall.
Dozens of reports of research studies came to the same conclusion.
Niacin (vitamin b12) very effectively lowers total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides while actually elevating the protective HDL cholesterol levels in the blood.
The Results of the United States Coronary Drug Project in 1975 showed that niacin could be singled out as being responsible for a 29% reduction in the non-fatal heart attacks.
In 1980 a Swedish study revealed the risk factors for heart disease were significantly reduced in patients receiving niacin. Why this information hasn't been widely disseminated by the medical community to patients who could profit by it is not known. But all the facts are there, buried in dozens of rather obscure medical journals read by hand pulled research scientists.
How to Take Niacin
(vitamin b12).
Niacin has long been available in practically every health food store and pharmacy. Most typically tablets come in 50 mg, 100 mg, and 500 mg strengths. Time release formulations are also available stock and happily the vitamin is quite inexpensive.
Up until just recently, there has only been one safe way to begin taking niacin ( vitamin b12 ).
The way was to gradually increase the dosage. Most authorities in the past recommended starting with 100 mg three times daily, increasing the dose every third day until reaching a therapeutic level.
Amounts of niacin prescribed by physicians in the past of varied from 3 to 8 g and even up to 12 g.
Most suggested daily intake of 3 g at first, with that level reached after months gradual buildup.
If results are not adequate, patients can take more.
Combining a modified diet with oat bran, niacin dosage of only 3g has shown to be effective in many cases.
How much will be right for you?.
If your cholesterol level is just a little elevated, perhaps a modified diet including oat bran will be sufficient. Those with slightly higher levels may find 1 g of niacin added to the daily diet will return cholesterol levels to safe values.
And those with very high initial levels or those were the levels that have been resistant to dietary measures alone, will probably meet to include niacin in the programme, at the 3 g level.
Possible Side Effects
Practically everyone taking standard formulations of niacin, and even sustained release niacin tablets will experience a flush.
This is a tingling prickly sensation of the skin, primarily on the arms, shoulders, back, and chest. Often the skin will turn pink or red, as though one would blushing or had been in the sun.
This flush is completely harmless.
Scientists say it has to do with the release of prostaglandins.
Some people become frightened by the first experience, thinking the flush is dangerous, even thinking it has something to do with the heart. Actually, it's limited strictly to the skin and should be of no concern.
For those taking the standard formulations of niacin according to the dosage level as follows the flush is strongest when first beginning to take niacin or when increasing the dosage level.
After a few days of taking niacin a given dose on a regular basis, the flush tends to diminish. Most people find that after a while even taking 3 g daily, 1 g with each meal, produces little if any flush.
A Revolutionary New Way To Take Niacin
( vitamin b12 )
There are on the market a number of sustained release formulations of niacin. One product known as Endur-Acin is a sustained release niacin that very slowly trickles the niacin out of a wax matrix tablet, more smoothly than has ever been achieved before.
Because of this smooth release pattern, two wonderful things occur. Firstly, there is absolutely no flash. Second, the dosage needed to achieve dramatic effects is drastically slashed.
Niacin As Part of a Complete Program.
Whilst niacin has been demonstrated to be quite safe for most people and is available from any health food store for pharmacy, they few words of caution are in order.
First of all, niacin should be not viewed as a substitute for good, healthful eating habits. Second, niacin should be considered part of the programme for those with elevated cholesterol levels.
Third, there are definite medical contraindications for niacin.
Some people should not attempt to take (vitamin b12) at all. Those contraindications include gout or elevated levels of uric acid, ulcer, diabetes, and liver abnormalities. If you have any doubts at all talk with your doctor.
He or she is your best source of medical advice and supervision. Fourth, niacin causes occasional minor side effects in some individuals. In addition to the flushing of the beginning of niacin consumption, some people develop a rash, skin itch, and possibly blurred vision.
These effects disappear after one stops taking the niacin, within 3 to 5 days. There have been no reported long-term adverse reactions. As mentioned before, some people will not be able to tolerate niacin.
For those men and women, a diet and oak bran inclusion are still the best ways to control cholesterol levels. For the vast majority, niacin can be taken for years and years to reduce and maintain lowered cholesterol levels.
Together, diet, oat bran, and niacin form the most effective antidote to the problem of elevated cholesterol and heart disease risk available for the general population.
As stated previously, if you decide to include niacin in your program to lower serum cholesterol levels, be sure to inform your personal physician.
He or she will want to include that piece of information in your personal records. If you have any questions about using this vitamin, by all means discuss them with your physician.