Niacin For Treating Hypertension

Niacin belongs to the Vitamin B family. It is also known as vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid. Niacin has significant effects on the nervous and circulatory systems. It helps to ease symptoms associated with schizophrenia and helps older patients to recover cerebral acuity. It plays a significant role in brain metabolism, aids digestion, has proven benefits for those suffering from arthritis, diabetes and acne.

Niacin helps to widen and open up blood vessels and is instrumental in removing lipids from the walls of the arteries. It has been used to lower cholesterol levels and reduce blood pressure. Niacin has been used as an anti-hypertensive drug for several decades.

The suggested dosage is 400 mg to 500 mg, to be taken twice a day, for a period of five days and doubled thereafter. The dosages are small initially and increased gradually.

It helps to reduce the bad cholesterol, while at the same time, increase the good cholesterol in our blood. High cholesterol level often causes high blood pressure. Hypertension niacin helps to reduce cholesterol and control high blood pressure levels.

Despite its known benefits in treating hypertension, niacin is not always recommended by doctors, as it can frequently lead to serious side effects. Often the drug needs to be administered in substantial doses in order to treat hypertension and to dilate blood vessels.

This can result in side effects such as increased liver enzymes, gastrointestinal problems, flushing and itching. In diabetic patients, it may lead to increase in glucose levels and may result in greater insulin resistance.

Although niacin as a drug is known to control hypertension, it is advisable to consult a doctor before beginning on a niacin regime. The doctor will suggest most appropriately whether there is a genuine need for this drug or not and in case required, what dosage should be taken.