Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B3 (various)
For the health condition: Heart (weakness)

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Vitamin B3, also known as niacin, has scientific evidence supporting its use in the management of certain heart-related conditions, particularly dyslipidemia, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Niacin has been shown to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides. Clinical trials, such as the Coronary Drug Project (1970s), demonstrated that niacin therapy reduced the incidence of nonfatal myocardial infarction in men with a history of heart attack. However, more recent trials (AIM-HIGH, HPS2-THRIVE) found no additional benefit of niacin when added to statin therapy and reported increased adverse effects.

There is less evidence directly supporting the use of niacin for "heart weakness" in the sense of heart failure or impaired cardiac contractility. Most research and clinical use relate to lipid modification rather than improving the strength of the heart muscle itself. Niacin is not a first-line treatment for heart failure. Its role in cardiovascular disease prevention is now limited due to concerns over side effects (e.g., flushing, hepatotoxicity, glucose intolerance) and the lack of clear benefit beyond standard therapies.

In summary, while niacin (Vitamin B3) has a scientifically validated role in modifying cardiovascular risk factors, its direct benefit in treating "heart weakness" is not well established. The evidence supports its use in lipid disorders, but not specifically for strengthening the heart.

More about Vitamin B3 (various)
More about Heart (weakness)

Products containing Vitamin B3 (various)

We currently have no products on Caring Sunshine that contain this ingredient.