Additionally, your body can make some of this vitamin from tryptophan, which is found in protein-rich foods like eggs and dairy, as long as you have vitamins B2 and B6.
Some people choose to take supplements. The amount of vitamin B3 you need from supplements depends on your health, the type of niacin you use (nicotinamide or nicotinic acid), and your personal needs. Nicotinamide is usually better for nutritional support and has fewer side effects. The general daily recommendation is 16 mg per day for men and 14 mg per day for adult women.
To treat high cholesterol with nicotinic acid, it’s really important to do it under a doctor’s supervision. You usually start with 250 mg per day and slowly increase it to 1000 to 2000 mg per day, depending on how well you tolerate it and how your body responds.
Be wary of high doses of vitamin B3 as it can result in side effects like flushing, itching, and in more serious cases, liver damage. That’s why it’s essential to have a doctor guide you if you’re taking supplements.
