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
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!
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.
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.
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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
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.