High doses of niacin (vitamin B3) can also cause p

High doses of niacin (vitamin B3) can also cause problems, but you’re not likely to run into trouble unless you’re taking a total of 2,000 to 3,000 mg per day to lower cholesterol. At those dosages, nausea, jaundice and elevated liver enzymes can occur, a toxic picture mimicking hepatitis. These symptoms disappear when niacin is discontinued. You shouldn’t take high doses of niacin if you’re pregnant, have ulcers, gout, diabetes, gallbladder disease, liver disease, or have had a recent heart attack. Anyone who takes this B vitamin to lower cholesterol should do so under the supervision of a physician and should have liver function tests done before the start of therapy and periodically thereafter. You also should monitor your cholesterol monthly and keep your niacin dose to the lowest possible level to maintain improvement.

by Dr. Andrew Weil