Magnesium, Niacin and Cardiovascular Wellness

Magnesium, Niacin and Cardiovascular Wellness

Heart disease kills almost 1 million Americans annually, and has been theleading cause of death since the early 1900s. However, scientific studies areshowing how a wide array of nutrients can prevent or treat risk factors such ashigh cholesterol, high triglycerides, hypertension and atherosclerosis. Two suchimportant compounds are magnesium and niacin.

Magnesium is present in more than 300 enzymatic systems, and is critical foradenosine triphosphate (ATP) metabolism. Researchers at the State University ofNew York, Buffalo, released an extensive review on magnesium and its role in thehuman body, with a particular focus on its importance in cardiovascular health.¹They noted 67 percent of studies investigating magnesiums effect onhypertension reported use of magnesium resulted in significant decreases inblood pressure.

Clinical work supports their findings. A Japanese study of 33 subjectstreated with magnesium reported significant decreases in systolic and diastolicblood pressure values and improved lipid profiles.² Similar findings werereported by French researchers who found magnesium deficiency was linked tohigher blood pressure readings and accelerated stiffening of the carotid artery.³

The stiffening of the carotid artery is linked to risk of coronary heartdisease (CHD). A major population-based study followed more than 7,000 men over30 years, analyzing dietary magnesium intake.⁴ There was a 1.7- to 2.1-foldhigher risk of CHD in the lowest quintile of magnesium intake compared to thehighest intake values. Clinical studies support these findings, as oralmagnesium therapy has been found to improve endothelial function and exercisetolerance in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).^5,6

Niacins role in supporting cardiovascular wellness lies primarily in itsability to both lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and increase HDL (good)cholesterol levels. A review from Northwestern University, Chicago, noted niacinhas a range of actions to improve endothelial function, reduce inflammation,increase plaque stability and diminish thrombosis.⁷ It further noted niacinchanges the susceptibility of LDL to oxidative modification, and is thebest-known agent for increasing HDL levels. This ability was recognized byresearchers from the University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, whosuggested physicians consider adding niacin to pharmaceutical regimens forpatients with dyslipidemia.⁸

In fact, trials are investigating niacins ability to complement statindrugs used in dyslipidemic patients. The HDL Atherosclerosis Treatment Studyshowed simvastatin plus niacin reduced major clinical events by 60 percent inpatients with CAD with low HDL; and follow-up work found the combination to beeffective and safe.⁹ A report out of the Louisville (Ky.) Metabolic andAtherosclerosis Research Center found extended-release niacin combined withlovastatin was more effective than simvastatin monotherapy in reducing LDLcholesterol, and increasing the proportion of HDL.¹⁰

The most common adverse reaction associated with niacin intake isflushing, a physical sensation of warmth and skin redness associated withincreased blood circulation. Flush-free niacin products may reduce theincidence of flushing, but there have been some concerns that they may notcontain nicotinic acidthe form linked in studies with cholesterolimprovements. One study from the University of Washington Medical Center,Seattle, reviewed the costs and content of immediate-release, extendedreleaseand no-flush preparations.¹¹ Both the immediate release and extended-releasepreparations cost between $7 and $10 per month and provided between 502 mg and520 mg of nicotinic acid. The no-flush preparations were approximately threetimes as expensive, and contained no free nicotinic acid; the preparationscontained primarily inositol hexanicotinate, which has not been clinically shownto impact cholesterol levels.

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