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It occurred to me that the therapeutic power of Niacin is not well known. I think there are a lot of people who could benefit from some personal research into it.
Some basic info though to get you started.
Conventional Niacin (listed as "Niacin" or "Nicotinic Acid" on product labels) has been clinically shown to be as effective at lowering total cholestoral, and more effective at lowering triglycerides than statins, while posing fewer possible health risks.
I must enphasize this must be regular old fashioned niacin, not the semi-synthetic product, popularly known as "flush free" Niacin. This is Niacinamide and is known to stress the liver over continued use, which makes it a poor choice for lipid lowering therapy.
My own experience with Niacin supports the clinical research. I take it to treat chronic anaerobic infections because conventional Niacin also dilates the blood vessels exposing the infections to more oxygen than they can tolerate. When I go back on the Niacin my triglycerides eventually drop about 35-40 points. Total lipids drop about 25-30 points.
To use Niacin, you must titrate (or slowly increase) your dose, so that your body can acclimate to the flushing effect. Taken multiple times daily, the flushing effect will diminish rapidly. In the beginning, take only after a full meal to ensure a slow release. The max therapeutic dose for lipid therapy is considered to be 4,000mg daily in divided doses. Start at about 200mg twice daily, 5 hours apart, and increase no faster than 500mg each dose. Understand that if you miss a dose, the flushing will reappear. Taken only once daily, you'll continue to flush every time, so be sure to split your doses.
In the beginning you may experience a slight, transient increased heartrate in addition to the flushing. This is normal and is due to the blood vessel dilation. The itching is due to histamine release and is the first side effect to disappear.
Some basic info though to get you started.
Conventional Niacin (listed as "Niacin" or "Nicotinic Acid" on product labels) has been clinically shown to be as effective at lowering total cholestoral, and more effective at lowering triglycerides than statins, while posing fewer possible health risks.
I must enphasize this must be regular old fashioned niacin, not the semi-synthetic product, popularly known as "flush free" Niacin. This is Niacinamide and is known to stress the liver over continued use, which makes it a poor choice for lipid lowering therapy.
My own experience with Niacin supports the clinical research. I take it to treat chronic anaerobic infections because conventional Niacin also dilates the blood vessels exposing the infections to more oxygen than they can tolerate. When I go back on the Niacin my triglycerides eventually drop about 35-40 points. Total lipids drop about 25-30 points.
To use Niacin, you must titrate (or slowly increase) your dose, so that your body can acclimate to the flushing effect. Taken multiple times daily, the flushing effect will diminish rapidly. In the beginning, take only after a full meal to ensure a slow release. The max therapeutic dose for lipid therapy is considered to be 4,000mg daily in divided doses. Start at about 200mg twice daily, 5 hours apart, and increase no faster than 500mg each dose. Understand that if you miss a dose, the flushing will reappear. Taken only once daily, you'll continue to flush every time, so be sure to split your doses.
In the beginning you may experience a slight, transient increased heartrate in addition to the flushing. This is normal and is due to the blood vessel dilation. The itching is due to histamine release and is the first side effect to disappear.
