To some, the fight against high cholesterol will never end. Even with all the medications you take, your cholesterol and triglyceride levels don't indicate any change. It is sometimes frustrating though, especially if you followed your doctor’s advice and yet your cholesterol level remains high.

But here is some encouraging news for you. One B vitamin supplement, niacin, has been found to be effective in the cholesterol-lowering program. It increases HDL, the good cholesterol, and at the same time lowers LDL, the bad cholesterol, and triglycerides.

But niacin is not the miracle formula as such. Its effectiveness varies from patient to patient. The modus operandi of niacin is not yet known. Researchers are busy working it out. It may prove significantly beneficial in the case of one patient, whereas in the case of the other patient, it could prove to be of no use at all. Niacin is taken alone, or in combination with another cholesterol lowering medications like the drug statin. Other vitamins or minerals are also prescribed with it.

The standard dosage of niacin is 500 mg to 2000 mg. Variations are permitted only with the specific prescription of your physician. Individuals with high levels of cholesterol are given higher doses.

There are many brands of niacin on the market, and therefore it is essential to go by the instructions indicated by the manufacturer for the dosage. Don't take the recommended dosage straightaway from the first day of the medication. It is better to introduce it gradually to your system. It is taken at bed time on a full stomach. If you are suffering from any other conditions or diseases that you are already on medication for, do consult your physician before commencing with the niacin dose.

Always have a healthy lifestyle to complement the medication you are taking. Any lowering cholesterol medicine will not be effective if you don’t have a good diet or proper exercise. These two are equally important in order to achieve the normal and healthy level of cholesterol.