Heart Health
Is niacin safe for the heart?
Ask the doctor
I've been taking a product called Niagen (nicotinamide riboside) as an anti-aging supplement. But I recently read that niacin may increase the risk of heart disease. Could that be a concern with Niagen as well?Niacin occurs naturally in many foods, including poultry, nuts, beans, and grains. It's also found in multivitamin supplements, B complex supplements, and supplements containing only niacin. Nicotinic acid and nicotinamide are the two main forms found in supplements. High-dose nicotinic acid is also available as a prescription medication for improving blood lipid levels.
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About the Author
Christopher P. Cannon, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Heart Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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