Lowers Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is measured by how much blood passes through the blood vessels and the pressure or resistance the heart creates as it pumps. A healthy adult has a blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg. A lower or higher blood pressure may indicate an underlying health condition.
When a person’s blood pressure is consistently higher than normal, the patient suffers from high blood pressure or hypertension. Hypertension is common; more than half of American adults suffer from this condition. It results from several factors like genes, age, obesity, race, excessive alcohol consumption, high sodium intake, and other medical conditions. Because of these factors, the arteries and blood vessels become swollen and narrow, adding more pressure and resistance to blood flow. As the arteries become narrower, the blood pressure becomes higher. In the long run, high blood pressure can cause damage to the arteries, blood vessels, heart, eyes, brain, and kidneys.
Niacin is known to trigger the release of a chemical called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are beneficial in widening the blood vessels, improving blood flow, and reducing blood pressure. A recent study shows that niacin supplements improve blood flow and significantly lower blood pressure by 2 percent.
