Supplements The Health Benefits and Uses of Niacin By Cathy Wong facebook twitter Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process Cathy Wong Fact checked by Fact checked by Cara Lustik on May 31, 2020 linkedin Cara Lustik is a fact checker and copywriter. Learn about our editorial process Cara Lustik Updated on May 31, 2020 Print ozgurkeser / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Uses Benefits Sources Caveats Using It for Health Niacin is a B vitamin found in a number of foods and sold in supplement form. Sometimes referred to as vitamin B3, niacin is also produced naturally by the body. Known to play a key role in converting food into energy, niacin is considered essential to the function of the digestive system, skin, and nerves. Although niacin deficiency is very rare, some people use niacin supplements to help with certain health conditions. Uses In alternative medicine, niacin supplements are often touted as a natural remedy for the following health problems: acneAlzheimer's diseasearthritisblood pressurecataractsdiabeteshigh cholesterolmigrainesmotion sicknessmemory problemspremenstrual syndrome Additionally, niacin is used to slow the effects of aging, reduce stress, improve digestion, and stimulate circulation. Benefits Here's a look at the science behind the health benefits of niacin: High Cholesterol Taking niacin is likely effective in lowering cholesterol, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In fact, some niacin supplements are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as prescription medications for high cholesterol. A number of clinical trials have indicated that niacin may help raise levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol and reduce levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol. However, in a recent study from the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that adding niacin to statin therapy had no cardiovascular benefit for patients with heart disease. Published in 2011, the study involved 3,414 people with heart disease and atherosclerosis. If you're considering the use of niacin in the treatment of high cholesterol, talk to your doctor before starting your supplement regimen. Alzheimer's Disease Increasing your dietary intake of niacin may protect against Alzheimer's disease, according to a 2004 study from the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry. Analyzing six years of dietary data and cognitive assessments of 3,718 older adults, the study's authors found that niacin intake appeared to protect against the development of Alzheimer's disease. In addition, higher food intake of niacin was associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline. Diabetes A number of studies show that niacin may benefit people with diabetes. In a 2000 study from the Journal of the American Medical Association, for instance, researchers found that niacin helped protect against the low levels of HDL cholesterol that typically accompany diabetes. Although the study also found that niacin led to modest increases in blood sugar levels, the authors conclude that "niacin can be safely used in patients with diabetes." Other Benefits Although preliminary research suggests that niacin may help reduce pain in people with osteoarthritis and aid in the treatment of cataracts, more studies need to be conducted before niacin can be recommended for either condition. Sources Niacin is found in many foods, including: dairy productseggsfishlean meatslegumesnutspoultry In addition, niacin can be found in enriched bread and cereals. Caveats While niacin is likely safe for most people, the NIH cautions that niacin may trigger certain side effects (including burning, tingling, itching, and reddening of the skin). In some cases, niacin may also cause headache, stomach upset, dizziness, and gas. Additionally, niacin supplements may be harmful to people with certain health conditions (including liver disease, kidney disease, gallbladder disease, and ulcers) and people taking certain medications (including blood pressure drugs, anti-diabetes drugs, and statins). Given these health concerns, it's important to seek medical advice if you're considering the use of niacin supplements. Using It for Health If you're considering using niacin, talk to your doctor first. Keep in mind that alternative medicine should not be used as a substitute for standard care. Self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences. Where to Find Them Widely available for purchase online, niacin supplements are also available in most drugstores, grocery stores, and stores specializing in dietary supplements. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get nutrition tips and advice to make healthy eating easier. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Institutes of Medicine Office of Dietary Supplements. Niacin Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Updated June 3, 2020. MedlinePlus. Niacin. Updated June 4, 2020. Boden WE, Probstfield JL, Anderson T, et al. Niacin in Patients with Low HDL Cholesterol Levels Receiving Intensive Statin Therapy. N Engl J Med. 2011;365(24):2255-2267. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1107579 Morris MC, Evans DA, Bienias JL, et al. Dietary niacin and the risk of incident Alzheimer's disease and of cognitive decline. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2004;75(8):1093-1099. doi:10.1136/jnnp.2003.025858 Elam MB, Hunninghake DB, Davis KB, et al. Effect of Niacin on Lipid and Lipoprotein Levels and Glycemic Control in Patients With Diabetes and Peripheral Arterial Disease: The ADMIT Study: A Randomized Trial. JAMA. 2000;284(10):1263-1270. doi:10.1001/jama.284.10.1263 Zhai G. Alteration of Metabolic Pathways in Osteoarthritis. Metabolites. 2019;9(1):11. doi:10.3390/metabo9010011