Sign in

or Register now

CholesterolNetwork.com

See all of our health sites at www.HealthCentral.com
Monday, September, 08, 2008

Weight loss or niacin: Which is better?

by  Dr. William Davis
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Dr. William Davis
Dr. William Davis
Close
Heart Disease Specialist

Dr. William Davis is a vocal advocate of early heart disease det...

Dr. William Davis

Recent Posts:
View All
Subscribe

As I discussed in my last blog post, niacin can be a useful vitamin and nutritional supplement to correct many causes of heart disease. But, there is an alternative. Take a ...

 

Like what you're reading? Get convenient updates from Dr. William Davis on Facebook, iGoogle, your personal blog and more!

  1. Untitled Comment
    George
    Wednesday, January 02, 2008 at 08:31 PM

    This leaves me confused as to what can I really eat to survive? I mean, no wheat , no rice , no meat; how will I design my 3 meals around only vegetables and fruits

     

    Thank you


    reply
    re: Untitled Comment
    Tan
    Wednesday, January 02, 2008 at 08:50 PM

    whole oats used to substitute wheat and rice

     

    fish, beans and soy products used to substitute pork/meat. all my 6 meals are still managable with these substitutes.


    reply
  2. Article on Niacin For Your Heart
    ladyisis
    Thursday, January 03, 2008 at 10:51 AM

    Hello,

     

    I read your article and found it quite interesting.  Taking Niacin for lowering cholesterol is what interested me.

     

    The only problem is that my doctor does not believe in alternative measures and will not prescribe any types of vitamins.

     

    I am taking Simvastin (40mg) and Asaphen (80 mg).  I also have high blood pressure and acid reflux.  I try not to take the Nexium my doctor has prescribed and try to stay away from acidic foods.

     

    What is your recommendations at to the dose of niacin for reduction of high cholesterol?

     

    Also which diet would you recommend in my case?

     

    I know that I could be susceptible to heart attack or strokes if these diseases are not kept in check.

     

    ladyisis


    reply
    re: Article on Niacin For Your Heart
    John
    Thursday, January 03, 2008 at 01:53 PM

    It's too bad your doctor believes niacin is an "alternative" treatment. I take 2000mg of Niaspan a day combined with 40mg of pravastatin. It has worked wonders for me. At last check my total cholesterol was 154 and HDL was 39 - still kind of low but much better than where it has been (265 total and HDL in the 20s many years ago). I also take the recommended amount of fish oil too.

    I don't even think of my Niaspan as a "vitamin" although technically I guess it is. It's kind of concerning your doctor thinks of this useful drug as a vitamin fad... Good Luck!


    reply
  3. Niacin
    ladyisis
    Friday, January 04, 2008 at 10:04 AM

    Thanks John.

     

    I received your reply and thanks for your post.  I am glad to know the amount of niacin to take.

     

    I am sorry that my doctor does not believe in this also.

     

    Good luck to you also.


    reply
  4. Niacin good new and bad news
    Richard
    Friday, January 04, 2008 at 01:28 PM

    I took several cholesterol lowering drugs which had a small effect on my total.  My doc started me on niacin, 1000 mg per day, 2 500 mg tabs once a day.  The good news is that my total cholesterol dropped dramatically after about a month.  (I don't remember the exact numbers but my doc was as surprised as me)   The bad new is that I developed a alergic reaction to Niacin.  It was a terrible itch, not a rash, on my shoulders and back.  I had to quit taking them because of the itch.  I have started back taking it again by breaking the pills in half and taking 4 halves, 1 half 4  times a day 3 days a week.  So far, so good.  I'm hopeing that that it continues because I believe the Niacin really works for me.

     


    reply
  5. Lipoprotein a level of 300
    melodee rohlff
    Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 09:14 PM

    I found your information about niacin interesting.  I am 34 and last year was dx with elevated total cholesterol and lpa.  I am an avid exerciser weighing 130s and 5'7.  I am now 8 weeks post partum and my cholesterol levels are off the charts ldl is 229 total cholesterol is 319 hdl is 72 great for that and triglycerides 113 good too and lpa 300.  before pregnancy they were high as well lpa of 160 and total cholesterol of 250.  all genetic im sure. 

    I am worried it wont go down now that im through being pregnant, they are still so high.  I dont want to start the medications until im sure that they are really going to stay this high or is it just my pregnancy post partum stuff.

    My lab test also came up with elevated liver enzymes 150's/ i dont have any hepatitis either they are retesting me for that anyway.  i have the hep b booster and two years ago was tested for hep c because im a nurse and had a blood scare with an infected pt.

    The niacin is great, but if i want to have another child i cant take that or any statins. 

    I live in a small town and i had to tell my dr what tx they use for lpa, and that since i had really high total cholesterol and i eat fabulous and exercise 4 times a week i wanted to be tested for it.  low an behold it was high.  now post partum its even higher.  im a reck for sure.


    reply

Ask a Question

Get answers from our experts and community members.

Answer a Question

My cardiologist wants me to start cholesterol lowering meds

Answer This View all questions >
Free Newsletter
Get weekly updates, news alerts and more on Cholesterol and related health conditions.