Is a higher dose always better?

No. Dose-fit rewards landing inside the range studied for the outcome — over-dosing (common with melatonin) or under-dosing both lower the score. The goal is the effective dose, not the biggest number.

What does the Value score mean?

The Value score compares a product's price per serving with clinically relevant products ranked for the same outcome. A score of 50 is the typical price; above 50 means better value than typical, while below 50 means the product costs more than typical. It is a 0–100 value signal, not a percentile.

Why is the cheapest product not #1?

Cost is only one input. The cheapest pick here is a citrate form with weaker absorption and a stock-risk flag, so it leads on Value-for-cost but trails on the composite that also weighs evidence, dose fit and availability.

Are these affiliate links?

Retailer links may be affiliate links and DoseRank may earn a commission. Rankings and placement are determined by the scoring model only — never by payment from a brand.

Is this medical advice?

No. DoseRank summarizes evidence to help you choose; it is not a substitute for a clinician, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, on medication, or managing a health condition.

Increase HDL cholesterol

What this outcome means

HDL cholesterol is the so-called good cholesterol that helps shuttle excess cholesterol out of your bloodstream, and on a lipid panel higher levels are usually viewed favorably. On DoseRank it maps to a defined health outcome built from human studies on HDL-C blood concentrations, the total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio, and lipid panel measures – data sourced from open sources and specialized resources. DoseRank is not medical advice.

Who it's for

Low-HDL readingsPanels showing good cholesterol sitting under the preferred range.

Heart-health focusedPeople watching cholesterol ratios as part of cardiovascular care.

Sedentary lifestylesThose whose limited activity tends to keep HDL low.

Stack buildersAlready taking supplements such as Niacin and want the dose right.

Evidence level

92Strong

Niacin – has strong public evidence. DoseRank looks at both evidence quality and formula fit. A DoseFit Score of 67 means this product's ingredient forms and doses are close to what was used in the studies behind this ranking - DoseRank weights each product ingredient.

Best ingredients

Niacin is the best supported ingredient signal for this outcome.

Dose partly matchedDoseFit 67

Scores reward products dosed inside or above the studied range, not just the right ingredient. Examples: In range: Niacin 500 mg vs 500-3000 mg.

Processed

1.4k

Available

1.4k

Ingredients

Brands

232

Coverage

100%

How to read the scores

What every metric means

Each score is 0–100. Higher is better for every metric below.

CompositeThe overall DoseRank score — a weighted blend of clinical strength, evidence, dose fit, trust and value.Higher is better

ClinicalHow strongly the formula's ingredients and doses match what clinical studies used for this outcome.Higher is better

EvidenceHow much published human research backs the formula's key ingredients for this outcome — both how many studies exist and how strong they are.Higher is better

ValueHow the price per serving compares with similar products for this outcome — 50 is the typical price, higher means better value for your money.Higher is better

TrustHow well customers rate this product, with extra weight given to ratings backed by a large number of reviews.Higher is better

PopularityHow strongly this product sells compared with the other ranked products for this outcome.Higher is better

This legend covers the scores on this page — for data sources, scoring weights, and limits, read the full methodology →

Not sure which is right for you?

Answer a few questions about your goals, habits, stack, and budget. Then, DoseRank will find the products that best match your needs based on your answers. It's free and only takes 60 seconds! No account is required.

Take 60-sec quiz

Get a personal report

A saved, shareable breakdown: your matched products, dose math, interaction flags to discuss with a clinician, and a price-tracked stack you can revisit.

Questions

Frequently asked

Each product gets a composite score blending clinical strength, evidence, dose fit, trust and value. The #1 on the DoseRank tab has the highest composite; the other tabs re-rank the same products by Value, Trust, or Popularity. Placement is never paid.

Increase HDL cholesterol

What this outcome means

Who it's for

Low-HDL readingsPanels showing good cholesterol sitting under the preferred range.

Heart-health focusedPeople watching cholesterol ratios as part of cardiovascular care.

Sedentary lifestylesThose whose limited activity tends to keep HDL low.

Stack buildersAlready taking supplements such as Niacin and want the dose right.

Evidence level

92Strong

Best ingredients

Niacin is the best supported ingredient signal for this outcome.

Dose partly matchedDoseFit 67

Scores reward products dosed inside or above the studied range, not just the right ingredient. Examples: In range: Niacin 500 mg vs 500-3000 mg.

Processed

1.4k

Available

1.4k

Ingredients

Brands

232

Coverage

100%

Relevant ingredients

Which ingredient types matter for hdl cholesterolOpen to see which ingredient types matter for hdl cholesterol

822 products across 1 ingredient types — open to filter the ranking.

Use types to filter ranked products

Vitamins

822 products

Essential micronutrients the body can't make in sufficient amounts. Fat-soluble ones (A, D, E, K) store up; water-soluble ones need regular topping-up.

Typical: ,

Top decision cards

Best products for hdl cholesterol

Ranking by · Composite outcome score

Best overall — the composite outcome score.

Top pick · DoseRank

Why this ranks #1 for hdl cholesterol

Life Extension, Vitamin B3 Niacin, 500 mg, 100 Capsules

Life Extension$0.05 / serving4.6 · 8,823Available now

Also helps with

Niacin status

Why this ranks here

Evidence fitNiacin is the strongest evidence signal for this outcome.
Dose fitNiacin at 500 mg lands inside the studied 500-3000 mg window.
Price / serving$0.05 per serving — mid price tier for this outcome.
AvailabilityIn stock across major retailers; 99% availability confidence.
TrustStrong trust signals — consistently high marks from verified buyer ratings.

The numbers

500 mgIn rangeinside the studied 500-3000 mg window

Compare top 3 Product data Open at retailer

The rest of the ranking · DoseRank

Top 10 ranked products

Nutricost, Niacin, Unflavored, 8.9 oz (250 g)

NutricostClinical89Dose fit71Popularity50$0.05/ serving

Solaray, Niacin, 500 mg, 100 VegCaps

SolarayClinical88Dose fit67Popularity84$0.11/ serving

Life Extension, No Flush Niacin, 640 mg, 100 Capsules

Life ExtensionClinical88Dose fit68Popularity96$0.14/ serving

Swanson Vitamins, Niacin, 500 mg, 250 Capsules

Swanson VitaminsClinical88Dose fit67Popularity50$0.07/ serving

21st Century, Prolonged Release Niacin, 500 mg, 100 Tablets

21st CenturyClinical88Dose fit67Popularity50$0.09/ serving

Vitacost, Niacin, 500 mg, 300 Capsules

VitacostClinical88Dose fit67Popularity30$0.04/ serving

Metagenics, Lipotain®, 60 Tablets

MetagenicsClinical88Dose fit67Popularity30$1.03/ serving

NOW Foods, Niacin, 500 mg, 250 Tablets

NOW FoodsClinical21Dose fit4Popularity91$0.06/ serving

Nutricost, Niacin, 500 mg, 240 Capsules

NutricostClinical21Dose fit4Popularity84$0.06/ serving