Niaspan

[DW]

My doctor just prescribed Niaspan, 500 mg. How dangerous is this drug?
My cholesterol is 155; my trigs 263. Thanks very much!

[Darrell]

See Contraindications and Warnings starting on page 9:
ww.niaspan.com/pdf/niaspan_pi_r1.pdf

[CatMom]

From their own web sight ..... "NIASPAN has not been shown to prevent the development of heart disease."

niaspan.com.. Scroll down to the safety info...2nd paragraph, last line.

Is it worth risking your life and health to have low numbers? Would the benifit to you outweight the risk? Research it yourself so you can make an informed decision.

[sos_group_owner]

Re: Niaspan, 500 mg. How dangerous is this drug?
Cholesterol - 155
Trigs - 263

Hi DW,

Niaspan is not a drug, it's a potent form of niacin (vitamin B3) - extended-release. Theraputic doses of niacin can cause elevated homocysteine. Elevated homocysteine is one of the risk factors that causes oxidized LDL. Elevated LDL is not the issue... it's when LDL becomes oxidized. Smoking and elevated triglycerides also cause Oxidized LDL.

Cholesterol of 155... is that total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol?
Did you doctor also measure your HDL levels?

Trig's 263 - you can cut them in 1/2 (or more) by cutting way back on carbs, especially the white foods - sugar (biggest offender), flour, rice, potato, bread. Replace with whole grains: wild/brown rice, breads made from sprouted grains or spelt flour, sweet potato, stevia (sweetener). Pasta is probably the least likely to raise triglycerides... Alternatives are whole grain pastas.

If cutting back on carbs doesn't lower your trig's enough, try adding cinnamon. 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of the spice isle variety (C. cassia), also available in 500mg capsules... take 1 to 3 capsules daily.

Cinnamon also control blood sugar levels.

Fran

[tex62]

My husband's triglycerides were high (300 - 380 level) and his HDL was low, but somewhere near the low end of normal. When the Zocor didn't bring the triglycerides down, our doctor added Tricor, which transformed him from a healthy, active 62 year old to a near-disabled state. He has been off the drugs for almost a year. It took about 9 months for a full recovery, but he is fully recovered and back to his active lifestyle. With a low carb diet and one cinnamon capsules a day, his triglycerides are now below 100 and his HDL is up a little also. Fran, this suggestion came from you - thanks!

[sos_group_owner]

You're welcome "tex62". Glad to hear your husband is recovered and healthy again. A supplement that helps raise HDL levels is Pantethine ( Coenzyme A Precursor ) and a highly active form of pantothenic acid, Vitamin B5. Pantethine, an antioxidant, also plays a key role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids; helps increase blood flow and stimulate brain function (helps with mental fogginess). Not as easy to find as some of the other supplements. We order NOW Foods brand Pantethine online from TheCatalog.com. We both take 2 capsules daily.

Fran