Final answer:
The water-soluble vitamin that lowers LDL cholesterol and increases HDL cholesterol is niacin, or vitamin B3. This vitamin plays a beneficial role in managing cholesterol levels and thereby contributes to heart health.
Option b . Niacin is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The water-soluble vitamin that lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is niacin (b). Among the options provided:
Thiamin is vitamin B1.
Niacin is vitamin B3.
Vitamin B6 is a different B vitamin.
Riboflavin is vitamin B2.
Dietary lipids aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), not water-soluble vitamins like B and C. Niacin plays a role in lowering LDL and raising HDL, which is beneficial for heart health and managing cholesterol levels. Note that while dietary changes can influence cholesterol levels, other factors such as genetics also play a significant role.
Research on cholesterol has shown that a balance between LDL and HDL is important for heart disease risk assessment. A higher HDL level is generally protective, whereas a higher LDL level can be a risk factor for heart disease. Therefore, niacin, as a treatment option, can contribute favorably to this balance by increasing HDL and decreasing LDL cholesterol.
Option b . Niacin is correct.