Excess niacin causes blood vessel inflammation and cardiovascular disease
- Thread starter sammmy
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"According to the article it lowers LDL cholesterol which we all know is false." Vince, perhaps this is a typo or an error in what you meant to say? Niacin dramatically lowered my LDL, better than a statin that I took prior to finding niacin.
The reasoning that I would choose niacin again today is still the same as when I did so in/around 1998. I had high Lp(a) and high LDL. My choices to lower the LDL were either statin or niacin. Experimenting with statins, I discovered that they raised Lp(a) even higher (an effect recognized today, but not back then). That left niacin, which lowered both Lp(a) and LDL. I'm aware of the recent negative publicity on niacin, but I'm sure there are also negative studies on the other option, statins.
Last edited:
Vince
Super Moderator
Yes, preventative doctors stopped telling patients to use niacin. According to the latest studies, niacin does more harm than good.
How excess niacin may promote cardiovascular disease
Findings about a metabolite of niacin, or vitamin B3, raise concerns about the health effects of too much niacin and suggest new measures to help prevent or treat cardiovascular disease
Guided_by_Voices
Well-Known Member
AFAIK, niacin is one of the few things that lower Lp(a). It is important to take a methyl donor with it however.
Vince
Super Moderator
Interesting read on why the world (mistakenly?) turned its back on Nicotinic Acid:
The Niacin Rebirth: Revisiting the Potential of Nicotinic Acid Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease and Niacin Supplementation for Healthy Aging esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/v...
Then right under the title on the left is a link to read the PDF.
It seems people were really high on NA until Statins came along and then two really big flawed studies were performed which scared everybody away from NA. The paper also points out that Statins may cause dementia.
Summary
1. NA is the best agent to raise HDL cholesterol levels, which improves reverse cholesterol transport and helps “clean the pipes.” Higher levels of HDL have been linked to increased longevity.
2. NA is one of the best agents to reduce triglycerides, part of the dyslipidemia of metabolic syndrome that is increasing in our older population.
3. NA is quite good at reducing LDL cholesterol (15% to 20%), and specifically reduces the most pathogenic small dense LDL particles and prevents oxidation of LDL, which makes LDL pathogenic.
4. NA is the only oral agent that can reduce Lp(a), a pathogenic lipoprotein associated with CVD, especially stroke in older men.
5. Beyond lipid benefits, nicotinamide (a NA metabolite) as well as the nicotinamide form of niacin (vitamin B3) are essential for intracellular energy metabolism of every cell in the body. Nicotinamide also provides critical precursors to produce stem cells, which are necessary for replacing damaged cells in the body. This function is particularly important for older individuals.
6. NA, even in low dosages (100-500 mg, 1-3 times per day) can improve renal failure and help older people avoid progression to dialysis or transplant.
7. NA and its unique ability to reduce the monocyte chemo-attractant protein A-1 helps prevent intravascular plaque formation and reduce heart attack risk of pathogenic oral flora bacteria.
8. Last, but not least, our research has shown that the wax-matrix form of controlled-release NA is not only the best NA formulation to reduce LDL cholesterol without excess flushing or other side effects, it is also one of the least expensive therapeutic options currently available."
The Niacin Rebirth: Revisiting the Potential of Nicotinic Acid Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease and Niacin Supplementation for Healthy Aging esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/v...
Then right under the title on the left is a link to read the PDF.
It seems people were really high on NA until Statins came along and then two really big flawed studies were performed which scared everybody away from NA. The paper also points out that Statins may cause dementia.
Summary
1. NA is the best agent to raise HDL cholesterol levels, which improves reverse cholesterol transport and helps “clean the pipes.” Higher levels of HDL have been linked to increased longevity.
2. NA is one of the best agents to reduce triglycerides, part of the dyslipidemia of metabolic syndrome that is increasing in our older population.
3. NA is quite good at reducing LDL cholesterol (15% to 20%), and specifically reduces the most pathogenic small dense LDL particles and prevents oxidation of LDL, which makes LDL pathogenic.
4. NA is the only oral agent that can reduce Lp(a), a pathogenic lipoprotein associated with CVD, especially stroke in older men.
5. Beyond lipid benefits, nicotinamide (a NA metabolite) as well as the nicotinamide form of niacin (vitamin B3) are essential for intracellular energy metabolism of every cell in the body. Nicotinamide also provides critical precursors to produce stem cells, which are necessary for replacing damaged cells in the body. This function is particularly important for older individuals.
6. NA, even in low dosages (100-500 mg, 1-3 times per day) can improve renal failure and help older people avoid progression to dialysis or transplant.
7. NA and its unique ability to reduce the monocyte chemo-attractant protein A-1 helps prevent intravascular plaque formation and reduce heart attack risk of pathogenic oral flora bacteria.
8. Last, but not least, our research has shown that the wax-matrix form of controlled-release NA is not only the best NA formulation to reduce LDL cholesterol without excess flushing or other side effects, it is also one of the least expensive therapeutic options currently available."
Interesting testimonial on old raypeat forum: Testimonial For Niacin - It Just Works
They're really pro niacin over there
They're really pro niacin over there
Fernando Almaguer
Well-Known Member
Is nicotinic acid better than vitamin b niacinimide?
"Is nicotinic acid better than vitamin b niacinimide?"
Better for what? If you're talking about the effect on blood lipids, then no, niacinimide will not have the same positive effect as B3 niacin.
You need the niacin that gives you the flush; the "no flush" niacins will do nothing for your lipids. I use the immediate release form, it's really quite inexpensive and I buy it over the counter. I've been taking 2500 - 4000mg daily for about 25 years. When I first started I had a flush for about 3 days, then I never had it again . . . although if I don't sleep well I might feel a BIT of a flush at breakfast the next day. Yeah, you feel hot and itchy for 20 minutes or so; I remember somebody suggested I take a shower when I got it, and then it's no problem. Otherwise it's been simply great for me, and I've never had any sides from it.
Better for what? If you're talking about the effect on blood lipids, then no, niacinimide will not have the same positive effect as B3 niacin.
You need the niacin that gives you the flush; the "no flush" niacins will do nothing for your lipids. I use the immediate release form, it's really quite inexpensive and I buy it over the counter. I've been taking 2500 - 4000mg daily for about 25 years. When I first started I had a flush for about 3 days, then I never had it again . . . although if I don't sleep well I might feel a BIT of a flush at breakfast the next day. Yeah, you feel hot and itchy for 20 minutes or so; I remember somebody suggested I take a shower when I got it, and then it's no problem. Otherwise it's been simply great for me, and I've never had any sides from it.
What improvements did you experience with niacin after all those years?
Fernando Almaguer
Well-Known Member
That is a common mistake I've made.. that is buying niacin but the active ing. is niacinamide. The one you are referring to say nicotinic acid .. I believe, correct?
Yes, the form I take is "Vitamin B3, nicotinic acid"
Fernando Almaguer
Well-Known Member
Please keep me apprised!
I started taking niacin around the age of 43, because it was determined that I had severe heart disease. All my blood lipids improved, and my Lp(a) came down. I went another 13 years before I got a bypass. I've remained reasonably well to this day, and I'll be 69 this year.
Of course you should discuss something like niacin use with your doctor. In my case, having used niacin for over two decades, I have never met a doctor that knew much about niacin; I have the distinct impression that they've all been schooled (brain-washed) in statin use and would prefer not to even consider other options.
Vince
Super Moderator
Most of my doctors are from overseas. I always feel that someone who comes for another country has to work really hard and are usually more educated and open-minded than homegrown doctors.
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