Cholesterol and Niacin Therapy
Niacin: Safe Alternative to Statin Drugs
Niacin is well known for its ability to reduce LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while at the same time raising HDL cholesterol.
Here is a breakdown of how niacin works:
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) lowers the liver’s production of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). This is a type of lipoprotein (like LDL and HDL) that allows fats and cholesterol to flow in the water-based solution of the bloodstream. VLDL is converted to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the bloodstream and when VLDL is decreased, LDL is decreased as well.
Niacin also works to raise HDL. It was initially thought it did this by increasing HDL production in the liver. However, a study published in the June 2008 issue of the Journal of Lipid Research found that nicotinic acid prevents HDL from being removed by the liver.
Niacin has also been known for its triglyceride-lowering effect. High levels of triglycerides in the bloodstream have been linked to atherosclerosis, thus significantly increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Extended Release Niacin not as Effective!
However, the popular alternative to niacin, nicotinamide used for the lack of the flushing effect, does not work in the same manner as niacin.
In other words, nicotinamide is not an effective option for raising HDL.
Do Negative Side-Effects = Good Health?
The medical alternative to lowing cholesterol is Statin drugs. Some of the more popular include Lipitor, Zocor, and Crestor. They claim to significantly reduce the risk of heart attack in patients with proven coronary artery disease (CAD), and can also reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke in patients with high cholesterol levels who are at increased risk for heart disease (have you noticed this seems to be everybody these days?)
However, there are potentially serious side-effects regarding Statin drugs including rhabdomyolysis ( a serious painful condition which muscle fibers are broken down), kidney failure and liver failure.
And if these weren’t scary enough, recently Crestor has been facing lawsuits due to the increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart failure! Talk about irony!
So wouldn’t niacin be a healthier choice over Statin drugs? Why is it overlooked by so many medical doctors is beyond me. Or have they overlooked it? Oh wait, that’s right. There is the prescription form of the niacin (vitamin B3) known as Niaspan. What’s the difference? The claim is that Niaspan is of better quality than the supplement version.
Well, if you buy your supplements from companies that comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), you will be buying supplements of quality!
So what with that said, what is really the difference? Only the cost!
Other Related articles
- Vitamin B3 beats Big Pharma’s Zetia cholesterol drug
- Flawed Heart Study Reveals How Big Pharma is Up to Its Old Tricks Again
is a board-certified Chiropractic Physician and Life Coach who also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology, and a minor in Medical Research. She is a life-long athlete who after curing herself 100% naturally from MS and anxiety, became an avid nutrition health researcher/promoter.
She has been featured in many Health magazines and has been a guest on radio talk shows in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. She is the author of Health Freedom Revolution: Exposing the Lies, Deceit and Greed of the Medical Profession, Founder of Online Holistic Health, and a contributing writer for other popular informative health website/blogs.
She is the host of Holistic Health Radio – where she discusses how she recovered her health as well as other hot health topics, and she is also co-founder of Crazy Meets Common Sense! – The Podcast that Makes Sense Out of the Crazy, to Help You Live a More Healthy, Fulfilling and Empowering Life!
June 3, 2016 @ 12:14 pm
Very good article. My Doc wants to put me on Statins,but I really dont like the idea.
July 19, 2016 @ 6:27 pm
Love your articles and was wondering if you might be able to help with a questions regarding niacin. I have psoriasis and read conflicting information about Niacin and it’s affects on my condition. Do you have any insight you can share?
December 19, 2018 @ 6:05 pm
Cholesterol has very little impact on heart disease (HDL is slightly anticoagulant). Niacin is a vasodialator. This is likely the only mechanism by which niacin helps heart health. I postulate that ANY drug taken in a dose that interferes with cholesterol synthesis or metabolism is an overdose. The Minnesota Coronary study found that every 30mg/dl decrease in cholesterol caused a 22% increase in death. Hence it should have been obvious that anything that interferes with cholesterol is dangerous. Of course, the study was buried for decades and we have been harming people by messing with their cholesterol ever since.
December 26, 2018 @ 10:44 am
Hello Critic! I couldn’t agree with you more!