Niacin 'does not benefit cardiovascular patients with stable cholesterol'

Niacin does not reduce heart attack or stroke risk in stable, cardiovascular patients whose cholesterol is well-controlled, new research has revealed.

Professor William Boden of the University of Buffalo has proven that niacin provides no incremental benefit to patients with atherosclerotic heart disease who have stable cholesterol levels.

"If you are a patient with stable cardiovascular disease who has achieved and maintained very low levels of LDL cholesterol... these research findings indicate the addition of high-dose niacin does not improve your risk for future events," explained Professor Boden.

However, individuals who are not a part of this specific at-risk group may still see the benefits of niacin treatment.

Niacin is also thought to be effective in low doses for patients with diabetes.

In a US study, extended-release niacin was found to significantly improve lipid levels and minimise changes to glycemic control.

Previous studies have shown that niacin in high doses raises blood glucose, but extended small doses of 1,000 milligrams per day and 1,500mg/d can be tolerated by diabetic patients.

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