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Tier-BPublic-ready6/29/2026

Niacin

Cholesterol and triglycerides is the main area connected here, and any felt benefit should be read together with the human evidence base.

The 57.4 score includes research signals from patient or disease contexts. General supplement evidence is not repeated enough, so the B tier remains conservative.

Representative tier calculated from paper evidence that passed the collection audit.

Papers analyzed
59
Caution signal
Low
Context-specific research signal
57.4
Cholesterol and triglyceridesPain, headache, and migraineBlood pressure and vascular health markers

Main benefit evidence

The representative ingredient tier is calculated from these target-level evidence groups.

Blood lipids
11 studiesTier-B
Cholesterol and triglycerides
Fairly consistent positive signal in studiesFelt benefit focusPatient-group study

Potential benefit studied in Blood lipids. These findings come from a defined study population, so everyday effects may differ.

Evidence score
64.7
Study context
Patient-group study

This score reflects the strength of this benefit group. The ingredient tier also considers paper count, repetition, population, and study context.

Pain and headache
1 studiesTier-C
Pain, headache, and migraine
Some positive signal observedFelt benefit focusPatient-group study

Potential benefit studied in Pain and headache. These findings come from a defined study population, so everyday effects may differ.

Evidence score
44.0
Study context
Patient-group study

This score reflects the strength of this benefit group. The ingredient tier also considers paper count, repetition, population, and study context.

Blood pressure and vascular health
2 studiesTier-C
Blood pressure and vascular health markers
Some positive signal observedResearch marker focusPatient-group study

This card is closer to a measured biomarker or lab outcome than a directly felt user benefit. These findings come from a defined study population, so everyday effects may differ.

Evidence score
37.4
Study context
Patient-group study

This score reflects the strength of this benefit group. The ingredient tier also considers paper count, repetition, population, and study context.

Cardiovascular outcomes
3 studiesTier-C
Heart and cardiovascular outcomes
Some positive signal observedFelt benefit focusPatient-group study

Potential benefit studied in Cardiovascular outcomes. These findings come from a defined study population, so everyday effects may differ.

Evidence score
36.2
Study context
Patient-group study

This score reflects the strength of this benefit group. The ingredient tier also considers paper count, repetition, population, and study context.

Cognition and focus
1 studiesTier-C
Cognition, memory, and focus
Some positive signal observedFelt benefit focusPatient-group study

Potential benefit studied in Cognition and focus. These findings come from a defined study population, so everyday effects may differ.

Evidence score
20.9
Study context
Patient-group study

This score reflects the strength of this benefit group. The ingredient tier also considers paper count, repetition, population, and study context.

Stress and mood
1 studiesTier-C
Stress Response and Sleep Changes
Some positive signal observedFelt benefit focusPatient-group study

These findings come from stress response, cortisol, anxiety, or sleep outcomes. They may mix felt benefits with physiological markers.

Evidence score
20.9
Study context
Patient-group study

This score reflects the strength of this benefit group. The ingredient tier also considers paper count, repetition, population, and study context.

Recent research

Updated This Month10 new papers

Observed range in repeated studies

This range includes studies in specific patient groups. It is not a general dose or recommendation.

Lower observed study value
10
mg/day
Higher observed study value
1000
mg/day
Only ranges repeated in human, oral, single-ingredient studies are shown.
Not personal dosing instructions, recommendations, or safety limits.

Side effects and combination findings in studies

Findings from studies of this ingredient alone are separated from findings involving another supplement or medication.

Caution index
1.9
Caution band: Low
Caution signals
11
Side effects + combos + curated rules
Key precautions
No curated contraindication rule is available yet, but literature caution signals are shown below.
These are signals reported in studies. They do not predict what will happen to an individual.

Findings to review with care

Side effects reported for the ingredient alone are separated from findings involving another supplement or medication.

Side effects reported when this ingredient was used alone

Symptoms or adverse events reported in studies of this ingredient without another active ingredient.

Liver toxicity from high-dose nicotinic acid1 papers
Long-term use of high doses (≥3000 mg/day) of nicotinic acid as a cholesterol-lowering drug can be toxic to the liver.Human studies · Study type not identified
Side effects1 papers
The clinical use of niacin to treat dyslipidemic conditions is limited by its side effects.Human studies · Study type not identified
Cutaneous vasodilation (flushing)1 papers
Nicotinic acid causes a strong side effect of cutaneous vasodilation (flushing) when used to treat dyslipidemias.Human studies · Study type not identified
Generalized pruritus1 papers
Generalized pruritus was reported in 75% of the niacin group versus 0% in the placebo group (P < .001).Human studies · Randomized controlled trial
Gastrointestinal upset1 papers
A single 500 mg dose of immediate-release niacin caused significant gastrointestinal upset in 30% of healthy volunteers compared to 3% in the placebo group (P = .005), with some participants requiring medical attention.Human studies · Randomized controlled trial
Flushing and stomach irritation from nicotinic acid1 papers
Flushing and stomach irritation are main side effects of moderately high supplemental intake of nicotinic acid (>35 mg/day).Human studies · Study type not identified
Flushing1 papers
Flushing occurred in 100% of participants receiving a single 500 mg dose of niacin compared to 3% in the placebo group (P < .0001 implied by relative risk and CI).Human studies · Randomized controlled trial
Cutaneous tingling1 papers
Cutaneous tingling was observed in 30% of the niacin group versus 0% in the placebo group (P < .001).Human studies · Randomized controlled trial

Caution signals when used with another supplement or medication

These studies reported a negative change, reduced absorption, or another caution when substances were used together. They do not predict an individual outcome.

스타틴Increased risk of all-cause mortality observed when niacin is combined with statins.
all-cause mortalityNiacin combined with a statin was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality in meta-analyses.
LaropiprantThe increased risk of new-onset diabetes with niacin was consistent regardless of combination therapy with laropiprant (p for interaction=0.52).

Evidence summaries

Paper IDs and full lists are private. Only study types and summaries are shown.

Key Evidence #1
Public scholarly dataCitation signal: 662
observational

The risk of myopathy was increased by adding ERN/LRPT to simvastatin 40 mg daily (with or without ezetimibe), particularly in Chinese patients whose myopathy rates on simvastsatin were higher.

Key Evidence #2
Public scholarly dataCitation signal: 436
meta-analysis

Fibrates reduce major coronary events and increase HDL-C levels without significant toxicity, and niacin has a more potent effect on HDL- C levels, whereas data on cardiovascular event rate reduction are limited.

Key Evidence #3
Public scholarly dataCitation signal: 360
observational

Following a vegan diet may result in deficiencies in micronutrients (vitamin B12, zinc, calcium and selenium) which should not be disregarded, however, low micro- and macronutrient intakes are not always associated with health impairments.

3 more summariesLimited representative sample by study type.
>
Public scholarly dataCitation signal: 221
observational

In randomized controlled trials, triglyceride lowering is associated with lower risk of major vascular events, even after adjusting for LDL-C lowering, although the effect is attenuated when REDUCE-IT is excluded.

Public scholarly dataCitation signal: 218
review

available literature data on the neuroprotective role of niacin and its derivatives are overviewed, especially focusing especially on its involvement in neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases), as well as in other neuro

Public scholarly dataCitation signal: 203
review

Conclusive evidence for the benefit of any supplement across all dietary backgrounds (including deficiency and sufficiency) was not demonstrated; therefore, any benefits seen must be balanced against possible risks.

Niacin
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