Has your doctor suggested it’s time to focus on your heart health? If so, you’re not alone—heart health remains a top priority for many people not only for overall wellbeing, but for long-term vitality. It's a good bet you know balancing cholesterol and supporting healthy lipid metabolism are among the most powerful ways to support your heart health. What you may not know is there is a new biomarker of heart health gaining attention: lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a).

It turns out niacin can target all three key factors—and more—to help take your heart-healthy diet and lifestyle to the next level. Yet, despite standing the test of time, niacin remains one of the most underappreciated nutrients for heart health. And if you think niacin is just vitamin B3, you’re right—but there’s a bit more to its heart health story. The form we’re talking about is a specific one called nicotinic acid.

Unlike many so-called “cholesterol support” supplements, nicotinic acid is backed by decades of research showing it helps maintain blood levels of cholesterol—including both “bad” LDL and “good” HDL—as well as Lp(a), within a normal, healthy range.

Let’s take a closer look at what niacin is, how it works, and how you can work with your doctor to comfortably start using it to support your cardiovascular health.

What Is Niacin?

Niacin is a water-soluble B vitamin involved in hundreds of metabolic reactions in the body. It occurs in two common forms: nicotinic acid and niacinamide. Both forms play a key role in helping to produce NAD⁺ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)—a molecule vital to energy metabolism, cellular repair, and gene regulation.

But only the nicotinic acid form delivers targeted heart health benefits when taking in therapeutic amounts—amounts much higher than what you’ll find in a typical multivitamin.

How Does Niacin Support Cardiovascular Health?

Nicotinic acid works through multiple mechanisms to support cardiovascular health:

• Helps maintain a healthy blood level of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol within the normal range by reducing liver production of VLDL, the precursor to LDL

• Supports healthy triglyceride balance by promoting normal release of fatty acids from fat cells

• Helps maintain a healthy blood level of HDL ("good") cholesterol by slowing its breakdown in the liver

• Supports healthy Lp(a) balance, an emerging biomarker of heart health with a genetic basis that’s not addressed by most other support options

• Promotes optimal blood vessel tone and overall health

• Supports NAD⁺ production needed for cellular energy metabolism and mitochondrial health

How much nicotinic acid is needed to make a difference? Many clinical studies have explored this topic, including more than a dozen using Endur-Acin® tablets, which indicate the most effective daily dose is typically between 1,000 and 2,000 mg. However, a “start low, go slow” approach is ideal to avoid any nuisance skin flushing (more on that below) along with regular checkups with your doctor to monitor progress and adjust dosing as needed. *

How to Start Niacin Comfortably

Hands down, the most common side effect of high-dose nicotinic acid is skin flushing—a temporary sensation of warmth, redness, and tingling in the face and neck—that occurs when too much is absorbed at once. It’s harmless but can be uncomfortable if too much is taken at once. This is where Endur-Acin® tablets really shine.

First, this one-of-a-kind formula has the ability to dramatically reduce flushing, making it the comfortable choice. Here’s how it works: By using a special vegetable wax-matrix core, tablets dissolve over 6 to 8 hours, slowly releasing nicotinic acid. Second, tablets are formulated to provide either 250 mg or 500 mg so you can start taking a low dose and build up gradually.

Here’s a typical one-month titration schedule, but yours may be different based on your individual health goals and your doctor’s guidance.

Tip: Always take with food and water and avoid alcohol or hot beverages around dosing time.

When to Check Your Progress

Of course, everyone is different, but most people see meaningful progress about 3 months after reaching the target dose, usually around 1,500 mg/day. At that time, your doctor can order follow-up lab work to check your progress, including a lipid panel that includes key parameters such as:

• HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol)

• LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol)

• Triglycerides

• Lipoprotein(a)

If needed, your dose can be adjusted or combined with other therapies for additional support.

Final Thoughts

Nicotinic acid remains one of the most effective and affordable options to support heart health. With Endur-Acin, you have a more comfortable option that lets you increase your dose over time (without pill fatigue). And, if you’re like most people, you can reach the levels needed for optimal cholesterol balance and lipid metabolism in just a few months.*

Ready to add niacin to your heart-healthy diet and lifestyle? Talk to your doctor today about how Endur-Acin® can help you step up comfortably and enjoy greater confidence in your heart health journey.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.