Niacin and heart health
Common Questions and Answers about Niacin and heart health
niaspan
A doctor should always be your primary source of information. And a doctor that knows you and oversees your health. So, make sure you run everything by your doctor and come up with a mutually agreed upon plan. Niacin HAS been used to lower triglycerides and raise HDL (good) cholesterol. Improving these two aid in overall improvement in total cholesterol numbers. But niacin can have real draw backs too. You MUST talk to your doctor before starting a niacin supplement in my opinion.
Believe it or not, I am taking 5 Niacin tablets in the morning and 5 at night for high trigylcerides. I can't remember the strength, but this is what is oredered by my doctor. In addition to that of course I have to take a statin and Tricor. Good news is that Tricor will have a generic out in May. I was also told by my pharmicist that Plavix has a generic coming out in July. Ask your pharmicist if there is a generic of Niaspan due out any time soon.
NIACIN IS AN IMPORTANT B VITAMIN THAT MAY RAISE YOUR HDL "GOOD" CHOLESTEROL: A Mayo Clinic doctor discusses niacin, including its benefits and side effects.
"......What impact does niacin have on cholesterol?
Niacin can raise HDL — the "good" cholesterol — by 15 percent to 35 percent. This makes niacin the most effective drug available for raising HDL cholesterol.
Did you have a question on adult type 2 diabetes?
(Ill hold my nose ;) Am i in danger of an immediate heart attack? This has stressed me out to no end and i can stop looking online about it and everything i read is so upsetting. How much fish oil can I safely take? I can read about Niacin........how much can I safely take of that without having to get liver test done by my doctor so often. Any suggestion are greatly appreciated. I bought your book, and i have enjoyed it. Thankyou!
I have hypertension and 5 days ago I had a heart cath procedure. They found two arteries bocked 40%. Decided no need to do anything at present time. I have always kept my B/P around 130/ 70 with medication. Since the heart cath. it has been high even with meds. and I have a terrible heart flutter. Now B/P is averaging between 189/92
to 182/ 85 I am worried. That something maybe wrong after the Heart Catharization.
I'm not a health professional, but your blood tests seem normal. Niacin can cause flushing and a feeling of high heartrate, I used to take that years ago, and I don't know what cayenne pepper can cause. If you are taking these products, I'd stop, unless directed to take them by your doctor.
I'd suggest you get back to exercising. If you have a heart problem, it will manifest itself when you are getting your heart rate up to normal.
I just received the results of the Berkley Heart Profile. My father died of CAD at the age of 46. My mother had a coronary artery blockage that was repaired at age 75. I'm a 54 yr. old healthy female non smoker, low BP, 5'5''/128 lb.and live a healthy lifestyle (exercise and diet). My Lp(a) was 114, very high and a fibrinogen of 475. I also see that the LDL particles are primarily large. I plan on a stress test and obtaining a good cardiologist.
Niacin is among the most effective agents known for correcting the multiple causes of heart and vascular disease, and has been shown to greatly diminish the risk of heart attack. Niacin is very safe and easy to use, if used properly. In my experience, over 95% of people who follow these guidelines are able to take niacin with only minimal hot flushes. Potentially serious side effects are almost never seen.
Both fish oil and niacin boost HDL, plump up LDL particles, and reduce inflammation. flaxseed contains three ingredients that aid in maintaining heart health. Flaxseed is rich with the plant form of omega-3 fatty acids, lignans, which contain both
plant estrogen and antioxidant qualities, plus soluble and insoluble fiber. Flaxseed seems to help not only with a person’s cholesterol profile but even in maintaining heart rhythm.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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