Niacin or nicotinic acid is unique in its ability to improve all lipid (cholesterol) profiles. Niacin is very effective at lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol, triglycerides and raises HDL (good) cholesterol. The obvious beneficial impact on the all important ratio of good to bad cholesterol is a major benefit of supplementation with a niacin product.

Niacin is therefore an excellent product for improving a vast variety of cholesterol related disorders, including the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, and high triglyceride levels.

Niacin can improve serum lipid levels and produce significant improvements in both coronary artery disease and clinical results.

Niacin is currently available in 3 forms; immediate release, extended release, and long acting. Each differs significantly in relation to safety and efficacy.

Immediate-release niacin is generally taken 3 times daily and is often accompanied with flushing, gastrointestinal discomfort, and elevated blood glucose levels.

Long-acting niacin can be taken only once daily and significantly reduced incidences of flushing , but its metabolism increases the risk of hepatotoxic effects.

Extended-release niacin, also given once daily, has an intermediate absorption rate between the other formulations and is the most preferred version due to the least amount of flushing and significantly reduced gastrointestinal symptoms and without increasing hepatotoxic risk.