Inositol hexaniacinate is a compound of niacin and inositol that offers the same benefits as niacin but with reduced side effects. It is recommended to lower cholesterol levels and is gradually released over several hours, reducing the risk of side effects. Long-term use of niacin can cause liver damage and interfere with cholesterol-lowering medications. Consult a doctor before starting a regimen.
Niacin and inositol are often combined into one compound, inositol hexaniacinate. This compound offers the same benefits as niacin, but has a reduced risk of the side effects often associated with taking pure niacin supplements. Inositol hexaniacinate is often recommended to lower cholesterol levels.
Vitamin B3, or niacin, is a dietary supplement that can have many beneficial side effects. Some forms of niacin are thought to help people with diabetes and also help reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Studies are underway to see if there is a connection between niacin intake and a person’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease. People with high cholesterol are often recommended to take combined niacin and inositol supplements. Niacin supplements can lower LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, by 15 to 20 percent and raise HDL, or “good” cholesterol levels.
The recommended daily intake of niacin is 20 mg. However, consuming too much niacin, or even the recommended dose, all at once can cause a number of side effects. The most common are flushing of the skin and nausea, but rapid heartbeat, palpitations, itching, and abdominal pain are not uncommon.
To prevent these side effects, niacin is often combined with the chemical compound inositol, which is very similar in form to niacin. Typically, six niacin molecules are fused to one inositol molecule. This new compound is called inositol hexaniacinate, or INH, and it is specifically prescribed to lower blood cholesterol levels.
The combination of niacin and inositol often eliminates the common side effects of pure niacin. Inositol hexaniacinate is a complex compound and it takes time for the body to break it down into its separate niacin and inositol molecules. This means that instead of a sudden increase of niacin in the bloodstream, which is what happens when taking pure niacin, the niacin is gradually released over several hours, reducing the risk of side effects. This is why inositol hexaniacinate is also known as “leave-on” niacin, referring to the skin flushing that can occur with pure niacin.
Although taking niacin supplements can have beneficial side effects for many people, there are some long-term side effects that can cause harm. Taking too much niacin over a long period of time can lead to liver damage, and niacin supplements can also interfere with any cholesterol-lowering medications that may be taken at the same time. Research is currently underway on the long-term side effects of inositol hexaniacinate, and a doctor should be consulted before starting a regimen of niacin or inositol hexaniacinate.
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