“No-flush” niacin preparations, such as inositol hexaniacinate and nicotinamide, are widely sold as niacin alternatives that do not cause hot flushes. In my experience, however, they simply do not work. In other words, no flush, no effect.
The correct dose of niacin depends on what abnormality you and your doctor are trying to correct. To raise HDL and correct small LDL, a dose of 750-1000 mg a day usually provides full benefit.
I am concerned about my cholesterol levels and triglycerides. I am on a strict diet, but high cholesterol and triglycerides are genetic. Is it safe for me to take Centrum Cardio Vitamins (with plant phytols) to help lower my cholesterol? Also, does buffered niacin (or non-flushing niacin) work equally as well as regular niacin in helping to lower cholesterol? And is it safe to take with coumadin?
You MUST talk to your doctor before starting a niacin supplement in my opinion. And if you are on a cholesterol lowering medication already, it may have no effect at all. It IS in a lot of multi vitamins and in food we eat, you are already getting some niacin. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/niacin/art-20046208
Things to look out for when using are skin rashes, gi issues and possibly impact on developing type 2 diabetes. https://health.
I was told from friends that Niacin helps as well as fish oil. So, over the past 8 mths I took Niacin and fish oil and my new blood draw cam up with a perfect score in the cholesterol area but my Bilirubin total was elevated at 1.4, Iron UIBC low at 102, Iron serum high at 175 as well as Iron Saturation at 63, and my biggest concern was my TSH high at 5.08. I do not have any symptoms. I just received the second blood draw for a possible job in Antarctica.
Up to two months ago I was taking the following supplements:
1.fish oil- omega-3 fatty acids, reduce formations of blood clots and lower triglycerrides
2.phytosterols- blocks the cholesterol in foods from getting into the bloodstream
3. prostate support- helps reduce the size of the prostate
4. vitamin B complex- control homocysteine
5. cinnamon- help control the blood sugar
6.grape seed extract - antioxidant
7.Arginine- produces nitric oxide for promoting elastic lining of the arteries
8.
The past three tests, 7-07, 12-07, and 6-08 showed my cholesterol to be 149, 85, and 57mg. LDL 65, 26, and 16mg. Triglycerides 183, 29, and 36mg. HDL 47, 53, and 34mg. These were dramatic improvements, except for the HDL. I am advised the 'good' cholesterol range is 50-200mg. If mine goes below 50mg in the next test do I have a problem? After the last test, doctor reduced my Lipitor prescription from 40 to 20mg.
(TC=total cholesterol; HDL, LDL are obvious; CRP=c-reactive protein)
TC=248; HDL=55; LDL=166; CRP=0.7; Triglycerides=136; Homocysteine=9.5; blood pressure: 120/80
Started niacin therapy 04/2004:
07/2004:
TC=157; HDL=60; LDL=83; Triglycerides=70; glucose=101; LP(a)=less than 7; blood pressure=100/60; Transferrin saturation: 47.8%
Liver enzymes (don't have these numbers but was told that they were not even slightly elevated).
Try Niacin to raise your HDL and keep your trigs nice and low. Nuts would also help but Niacin for sure can improve that number..otherwise you have good numbers. I am a 44 year old male and take 2000mg of Niaspan every day and my HDL is up from 29 to 43..my LDL is down to 66 and my trigs are 82. Niacin plus a good diet can give you good numbers.
There is also niacin (look for non flush niacin) and L-carnitine. And of course look at your diet. You can check out what to eat and avoid on this article from Authority Nutrition: A Paleo Diet Meal Plan and Menu That Can Save Your Life.
After a bad diet, hypothyroidism is the second most common cause of elevated cholesterol. Genetics is under 1% of cases. It's worth trying out some natural methods first. Statins have a list of side effects a mile long.
***
"...
com/viewarticle/458867_4
Regarding the issue of niacin lowering the cholesterol levels, Niacin or nicotinic acid lowers low density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels while raising the high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels(good cholesterol).
But this medication is not recommended to be taken by your own because you may miss some important side effects. Side effects include flushing, stomach upset, vomitings,headache, dizziness,liver damage in some cases.
And my last heart doctor put me on Niacin, and it had NO effect, so he told me to double the amount of Niacin I was taking, and it still had ZERO effect. I'd be interested in seeing where someone would come up with a 20% increase figure, cause it simple is NOT proven. And Niacin can be very dangerous if to much is taken.
If people recommend something, they should tell us their person experiences with what they are recommending and how it effected their HDL.
1000 mg/day of Niacin (*not* niacinamide, which does does not produce the flush) and started having severed cramps in my buttocks/thighs to the point where I could not walk my dog. Found out that niacin is contraindicated for use w/statins, quit taking it. Niacin can lower cholesterol at high doses (my plan). I now take 500 w/out side effects.
I was told from friends that Niacin helps as well as fish oil. So, over the past 8 mths I took 500 mg a day of Niacin and fish oil and my new blood draw came up with a perfect score in the cholesterol area but my Bilirubin total was elevated at 1.4, Iron UIBC low at 102, Iron serum high at 175 as well as Iron Saturation at 63, and my biggest concern was my TSH high at 5.08. I do not have any symptoms at all and was not concerned about it until this popped up.
Thyroid disease can cause high cholesterol. I have Hashimoto's with nodules, and I work hard to keep it cholesterol in check.
You should get your TSH, FT3, FT4 and TGab TPOab blood work to determine if you have thyroid disease. There is medication that can treat it.
You could also ask about fibrates of fenofibrates which work in your intestines to help control the absorption of cholesterol. Niacin does not really do much to lower cholesterol. It increases HDL which is used to remove LDL from your system, however recent studies have found that HDL created by niacin use is not as effective as naturally occurring HDL particles.
Can you tell me what your lipid profile is? Perhaps I can point you in the right direction with more information.
Timed-release niacin is commonly prescribed to prevent arterioschlerosis. It acts as a mild vasodilator, relaxing the blood vessels and improving the microcirculation. The "fast-acting" niacin causing flushing of the face and sometimes itching. There should be no problems whatsoever with discontinuing niacin "cold-turkey" , nor should there be any withdrawal symptoms.
Your LDL is very high and HDL is low, I would considers some lifestyle changes that include diet and exercise as well as a statin to help get these numbers down because high cholesterol and high BP are two modifiable risk factors and both will be benefited by diet and exercise.
As far as BP meds go, I'm on Benicar HCT which is a angiotensin II receptor antagonist and it has worked very well for me for many years.
I was told to avoid niacin, excess vitamin C, along with marijuana and alcohol by my liver clinic. Risk and the way liver handles excess niacin outweighed benefit though certainly getting adequate amounts by use of a NO iron multiple vitamin would be fine.
Statins have so many contraindications they will probably never pass muster for liver patients.
Is there not a way through diet and exercise to lower cholesterol. It seems Doctors are all to quick to prescribe pills these days. PLease help.
Your LDL is fine, however you have a very low HDL (good cholesterol) that should be dealt with as it should be over 50 for a woman, 40 for a man. There are many options to raise HDL, Niacin being one of the best. In addition, HDL responds very quickly to exercise, a minimum of 30 mins most days of the week of a good aerobic work out, trying to keep your heart rate at 70% plus of your maximum heart rate.
My bad cholesterol has always been at a good level. However, my good cholesterol was not high enough. Someone told me that I should ask my doctor about taking Niacin.
The reason I presented my cholesterol levels and talked about my current diet and exercise regimen is to give you an idea of my general health history. So basically I've lived a pretty healthy lifestyle for the past 4+ months. But I also have a lifetime of spotty eating and lack of exercise which is why my cholesterol numbers have been trending upwards.
My question is, is it possible that my years of less than ideal living have caused an issue (ie.
Recommended
