Niacin and Cholesterol

[JWSimpkins]

Hey guys,

Has anyone had success lowering LDL cholesterol with high dose Niacin?

 

[Dave Barry]

Generally, it's not a good idea to self-prescribe high dosage nicotinic acid (niacin), especially if you have diabetes, hypertension, peptic ulcer disease, or any liver function problems. Some common side-effects include: Itching, gi discomfort, headache, tachycardia, and dizziness. Generally, you should start with a low-dose (500mg/day) and increase slowly over a period of several weeks. Your final dosage also must take into account, whether it's immediate-release (Do not exceed 6g daily) or extended-release (max dose is 2000mg/day; also, never crush and ingest). The intended responses: Decrease total cholesterol, total triglyceride, and LDL and increase HDL. Again, it's best that you be monitored by a physician, since it can be very dangerous. (Understanding Pharmacology-Workman, LaCharity, Kruchko).

 

[Nelson Vergel]

I have never been able to tolerate it in any form. Gladly I no longer have low HDL. It has a modest effect on LDL but its best effect is at raising HDL. Higher doses of testosterone or anabolic steroids can lower HDL (and triglycerides).

Here is a great reference:

Niacin decreases LDL-C levels by 5% to 25% and triglyceride levels by 20% to 50% (Table 1).1,20

Niacin is the most effective pharmacologic agent currently on the market for raising HDL-C levels, with increases of 15% to 35%.1 It follows a relatively flat dose-response curve32 so most of the rise in HDL-C with niacin occurs at daily doses of 1 to 1.5 g (Figure 2).14,18,20,32

http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=216937

 

[JWSimpkins]

Awesome, thanks guys! Since starting TRT, I've had a slight increase in LDL and I would like to avoid taking a statin. I'll start with 500mg and see how that effects me. I've been told that if you take Niacin with a meal and 81mg of aspirin, you can avoid the flush.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

They would tell us to take the aspirin at least 20 min before. A full stomach also seems to help. Taking the largest dose before going to sleep also seems to work for some people who would sleep through the flush

 

[GettingAnswers]

I usually only take about 125mg because of the flush. Tonight I forgot and took the whole pill. Holy hell. Flush is like saying being gutshot is a flesh wound lol. Pure hell for the last 45 minutes!! That dose of aspirin did squat.

 

[GEORGE TOULIATOS]

According to Dr.MS,LDL is the real deal in CVD.
Concenring niacin,he is quite sceptical though.
Unfortunately,statins do not affect HDL.