Niacin side effects a concern, study says

NEW YORK -- Millions of Americans take Niacin to help control their cholesterol, but now evidence shows it may be doing you more harm than good.

Exercise diet and drugs. That's the trifecta of managing high cholesterol.

For some, that third option - the drugs - is controversial, so instead of

statins, they've been choosing a vitamin instead: niacin, otherwise known as

Vitamin B3.

But now, new research could change doctors' advice on this drug.

Researchers in the U.K. gave niacin to 12,000 patients who were also on

statins while an equal number got a placebo pill. There was no difference

in heart attack and stroke between the two groups but side effects were

significantly more common in the group getting niacin. And those side

effects were serious: higher rates of diabetes, stomach bleeding, muscle

inflammation and infections.

That's bad news for many people with high cholesterol who relied on the vitamin. To keep

cholesterol in check, patients can still rely on eating a healthy diet and exercise.

People should talk to their doctors about what cholesterol

medication might be best.