Yes, high doses of flush Niacin can lower cholesterol. BUT there is a catch. It eventually raises liver enzymes; it is hard on the liver, which is not good. Statins are bad also. I found the best way to lower my hereditary problem cholesterol (dropped 100 points in 8 months so far) as well as healthier triglycerides and HDL, was by INTERMITTENT FASTING, which is very healthy, and severely reducing white sugar and processed carbs. Eating only nature's carbs and quality organic fruits, veges, legumes, and good proteins. One cannot talk to their doctor because most doctors will not voluntarily promote intermittent fasting. We have to learn about it from good videos from doctors who are willing to get the word out. My doctor now talks about intermittent fasting with me because I brought it up and showed her the results. Then I found out some of the staff in my doctor's office was doing fasting as well, go figure. Good luck everyone!
We do intermittent fasting also works AWESOME! Also doing the CARNIVORE DIET! No more Statins or blood pressure meds! Lost 75 pounds in 2 months! FEEL AWESOME!
We attacked my mom's cholesterol from many directions. Exercise, sublingual b complex, omega-3 DHA/EPA, increased fiber and fermented foods, reduced saturated fat, etc. Have had excellent results in the past year!
I take niacin (500 mg) every couple days, also Berberine and psyllium husk. LDL went from 155 to 94. Total cholesterol is way better too. For me I’m taking it
The problem with taking B3 supplements is that every molecule of B3, whether it's utilized in metabolism or excreted in the urine, has to be methylated. This means that very valuable methyl groups (CH3), are excreted in the urine. Natural foods that contain B3 also contain nutrients that support methylation. Many who come to this supplement have unhealthy methylation systems so the liver takes the hit. The safer way to go about supplementing with B3 is to match the molar weight of the B3 with that of Betaine TMG and take the correct forms of Folate and B12. (Methyl-folate and Methylcobalamin). A few grams of Glycine can aid in buffering any excess methyl groups.
@@rdance3 it's somewhere in the middle I think. So methylation uses up choline/betaine, but that only applies to nicotinamide, and the conversion of niacin to nicotinamide gets saturated very fast (which is why slow release niacin is a bad idea and causes liver issues). So the 'excess' niacin goes down different pathways not involving methylation
I'm glad I stayed till the end. Dr. Z had me thinking pro Niacin until the side effects were talked about. We love y'all in Texas. Thanks for all the great & entertaining information,
Z shades the anti-Niacin argument by failing to provide the statistical probability of harm from use. Just another MD talking out his uniformed/misinformed ass. Do your own research and stay with peer review journal papers. Stiff reads but well worth the effort and you actually learn some new things..
The flush from niacin is due to it dilation of your capillaries, skull arms all over.. The dilation of capillaries in the brain, around the heart and lungs seems to me to be highly desirable.
Statins have a very nasty side effect. After my open-heart surgery they put me on 80mg of Atorvastatin and I suffered years with "brain fog" and became more and more confused. Until I got a new Cardiologist who looked at my DLs and concluded to try to stop the statin for 6 weeks and report back how things were going. They were going swell to be honest. Three days after stopping the statin I did no longer suffer from the "brain fog". I had some more bloodwork done and we upped it back to 40mg, where I am today, and my head feels clear as before the whole ordeal.
Same statin prescribed by my treating Physician. Three weeks in and my sleep was wrecked, wake up wired for sound every 2 1/2 - three hours, muscle cramps, and my short term memory tanked. I was on a half dose, quit statin and a couple weeks later I was back to normal. Went Carnivore and feel great. Labs soon so we'll see.
I took Niacin for about two months to help bring down my cholesterol. I also cut out saturated fats as I have a genetic expression that makes it difficult for my body to breakdown saturated fat. I also made sure I was lifting weights 3 times a week. I made sure I was eating fruit instead of other sweets. Brought my cholesterol down from 8.9 to 6.2. RDA’s were created during WWII due to food rations. The amounts were based on healthy individuals and the amount of supplements and foods to maintain health due to not having access to a wide range of foods. They are very outdated and not helpful for people who have health issues.
Actually, RDA’s were created a dozen yrs earlier than that from a small group of Ivy League students, (white men) simply recording their natural levels of various components in their blood (not tissue) samples and averaging the results. So, as your comment rightly identified, this is a completely inaccurate model for any “normalized” standard. So glad you put this up for discussion. Regards
I went to the doctor with exhaustion. My heart was not beating correctly as it was high. Also had shortness of breath. She ordered a statin and I refused. Started niacin. In a few days my energy increased and I had no problems with shortness of breath.
perhaps seek out an experienced cardiologist as those symptoms suggest a possible heart/arterial issue - mine would never suggest medications without first taking tests such as an echogram, ultrasound, or cat scan to rule out a blockage -
Cholesterol is critical for the body for cell repair, make hormones in the adrenal cortex, sex hormones. Cholesterol is so important to the brain it makes its own since lipids cant go through the blood brain barrier. The most advantageous study id the 4s study on statins. There was no change in all cause mortality and a 1% absolute reduction in CVD. Doctors sell you on relative efficacy. Stains reduce CoQ10 and K2 and increase risk of T2D, ED, dementia, skin cancer etc. Satins do cross the blood brain barrier and create brain fog. Older people with higher cholesterol live longe. If you want to really damage someone put them on statins and tell them iodine supplement is expensive urine. Do your research and find a doctor of naturopathy or functional medicine
Dr Steven GUNDRY, a cardiologist says cholesterol isn’t the problem it’s Triglycerides. Go on a Keto diet, cut out anything made from flour, potatoes and rice. Eat meat, fish, low glycemic vegetables, nuts and berries.
Some would consider being brain dead but alive to be a clinical success. Not in my book. Fix the diet, find ways to reduce fasting glucose level.... And use finger sticks as guidance to assess. Before meal, 30 min after, 90 min after.
Absolutely true about the 1% vs the 30% doctors like to tout. They pharmas hide the efficacy and most doctors aren't chemists or mathematicians, or researchers, they just sell whatever the pretty little pharma-chick gives them samples of.
I took Niacin for a while. I built up my tolerance to the flush and learnt to actually like it, and ended up taking 2g per day. Yes it lowered my LDL and Niacin is useful for reducing plaque in arteries too. Good for helping with LP(a) too, something Statins can’t claim. If you don’t get the the flush type don’t expect any benefit.
Reducing plaque sounds like the objective here. Stabilizing plaque with Calcium sounds like a good idea until you consider if you want it there at all. Cavadex seems like another path to losing plaque. Last i'd heard there were problems with hearing loss?
@@JohnWest4 it appears that Cavadex turns stabilized plaque into soft plaque (the dangerous type) which doesn’t sound good for the risk factors at all!
@@danteburritar2822especially if your business model relies on people to be scared of eliminating their atherosclerotic accumulada. That's c what we have stations for, for the rest of your life. If it helps 15% of people, is it unnecessary for 85% of people?
I started taking 1 tbsp of psyllium husk a day and cholesterol went from 225 to 183. My LDL and Triglycerides lowered and HDL went up. I am not certain the psyllium did it because I also started to exercise more and consume fish. I suspect it's the psyllium because my cholesterol has always been high even when I exercised a lot when I was young. Hope this might be helpful for some. Update Aug 8, 2024: I tested Apo b and it also has dropped from 124 mg/dL to 106. While psyllium helped, it's not low enough. I will go on statins and hope with psyllium, low dosage will be adequate.
@@susieqbrown that's unfortunate. I've only done one test after taking psyllium. I was very surprised with the results and couldn't explain it any other way. My diet is very healthy but not sure it will have such a drastic impact. I wish you the best!
Statins also stabilize cholesterol deposits already accumulated in the arteries, it's not just about lowering LDL. The statin denial movement is just as crazy as the pro-disease / anti-vax movement. Statins are well documented to reduce the risk of heart attack. "Vulnerable plaque" is a good search term.
Please describe your takeaway. If absolute efficacy matters, and we go from 4% to 2%, then 98% of customers were not helped. 2% were beyond help. 2% were helped. 96% contributed to the financial performance of the industry.
Years ago there was a push for niacin and lots of people started taking it but the red face became an issue. A lot of multivitamins have niacin in the ingredients. That and what's consumed in the food we eat is probably enough without taking an additional supplement. It just seems like the risks are too high and could lead to more problems we don't need. We really appreciate your honest opinion! If something is iffy, you will definitely tell us!👍
@@carync131 Inositol hexanicotinate is no-flush but works like normal niacin. It uses enzymatic action to release one niacin molecule at a time and works better than normal niacin. None of the studies the doctors referenced used this form... but it's the form that doctors and patients prefer. :-)
“I’m no hero… I’m just an orthopedic surgeon.” 😂 Once again an informative video with humor! Thank you guys for studying various health topics and sharing with us. You step out of the orthopedic box to provide us with valuable health information but always tell us “You are in charge of your own health.” 👏🏻 Thank you! 😊
I love the smart new scrubs. The best yet. I too took niacin for a while in the hope of lowering my cholesterol, but then stopped because I prioritise my blood glucose. I'm glad to have my decision endorsed (sort of).
Yes it appears that Niacin does not help much in terms of absolute risk of cardiac events but according to JAMA neither do Statins. Their study of over 20 studies found that Statins do improve your cholesterol numbers but absolute risk of a cardiac event is only lessened by about 1% to 2%. The drug companies have convinced the doctors by only showing relative risk improvement and ignoring absolute risk.
Artery De-Clogger recipe works for me. 1 serving: 1 raw clove of garlic. 3 tbs of red onion. 1/2 bunch of Italian parsley, if using a juice extractor. Or 6-7 sprigs if using a blender. 1/2 cup celery with leaves. 1/2 inch of ginger root. 1 pinch of cayenne pepper. 1 cup of tomato juice. Ice cubes or water as needed. Can use a juice extractor or blender. Juice: garlic, ginger. Onion, parsley and celery. Add to tomato juice and add cayenne pepper, lemon juice, ice cubs or water. Can also take supplements like lecithin/sunflower. Kyolic garlic capsules. Milk thistle. Cut down on cold meats and junk food. Take supplements with food. Consult with your health care provider. Hope this recipe helps .
My cholesterol was 284 2 months ago and I started taking 500mgs of Niacin with flush and I went back to the lab for blood work and my cholesterol went down 40 points. I am also intermittent fasting and reduced my processed cheeses. I am looking forward to lowering it a bit more.
Over a decade ago my GP ordered niacin for me. I was taking a nap at my sister’s house. I had a dream that I was on a beautiful tropical beach. I started getting warmer and warmer…woke up flushed and feeling almost like a red lobster. I believe after she dc’d it she ordered Lipitor instead (which has successfully kept my cholesterol levels down). Another great video…thanks 🇨🇦🇨🇦😊
Yes, niacin causes capillaries to dilate turning skin hot and red. For the first several days. The Journal of the American Medical Association, JAMA, released a meta study two and years ago analyzing every study ever done on statins, they concluded that there's a ONE PERCENT increase in prevention of a heart attack and ONE PERCENT increase in survival. One effing percent for all the money spent on these USELESS prescriptions. Statins are and always have been a con, there is no correlation between high cholesterol and heart disease, they LIED. Just like they lied about saturated fats, sugar, and "vegetable" oil. Chronic inflammation, which high blood sugar and high omega 6 cause, will ruin your health. And they lied about salt too. If you are sensitive to sodium that indicates you need more potassium and magnesium, not less sodium. There is an interesting phenomenon called "keto flu" that appears 2 weeks after going to less than 20 grams of carbs per day. What it is is sodium deficiency due to the kidneys releasing stockpiled sodium, which occurs when one eats a lot of carbs. The cure for "keto flu" is salt. Low sodium levels increase heart failure risk.
My father and my cousin (my father's brother's son) were both put on Niacin supplements by their doctors to reduce their cholesterol levels. Both of them, after just a short time on Niacin, had to be rushed to the hospital. They were both diagnosed with dehydration. My father was in critical condition at the hospital. The ER doctors told them to never take Niacin supplements ever again. The both developed heart conditions later in their life, but heart disease runs in my father’s family, so it appears genetic. Anyway, I will not use Niacin because I am afraid of the problems that my family members developed.
Docs we are listening to what you say asGENERAL INFORMATION. Thank you! People need to follow their Dr's advice or get 2nd opinions. Your info is great in directing people to better health.
Thank you. That is the goal of of the channel. Educate people so they can make an informed decision and have a useful conversation with their primary care provider.
High cholesterol does not cause heart disease or atherosclerosis. Study showed people with higher cholesterol levels live longer in Japan, similar conclusions were made by a study based in the Netherlands and published in BMJ in 2016.
My mom suffered a massive stroke due to high cholesterol twenty years ago. She was put on a daily statin ever since, and thankfully she hasn’t suffered any other illness. My grandmother who also suffered from high cholesterol died recently in her nineties after taking statins for as long as I can remember.
It seems tough to make a case for taking an additional Niacin supplement given that an ordinary daily multivitamin has plenty of it and the average breakfast cereal is fortified with some Niacin. Thanks for your excellent presentation!
An ordinary multi vitamin does not have plenty of Niacin in the higher dose, nor is it usually even the right kind of niacin. Still, there is no magic pill, and I can say this from experience.
If your cholesterol hasn't dropped then you're not taking enough niacin. The amount of niacin in foods obviously isn't sufficient otherwise you wouldn't have a cholesterol problem?
Oh, how I wish you awesome Doctors were in the US or I was in Canada. I had a knee replacement done 4 years ago that needs to be revisited, and I am struggling so hard to connect with a physician that understands and is willing to listen to what I need. Which is no chronic pain, more mobility.When you take away from someone who has been active and is now barely mobile, life is not enjoyable. Sigh. I have learned so much from watching your videos. You guys are the best! A word on niacin, Have taken it as a supplement. Did have some side effects, symptoms where my face would get hot and. A bit of a rapid pulse. Stop taking it and now try to get it through food groups. I think that works for me.
My doc wanted to put me on statins just because I was approaching 70 and protocol and my lipid panel was in the normal range maybe above medium average. I said BS, I'm not out of shape or obese, I started eating ketogenic. THE CHEAPEST DRUG IN THE HOUSE IS EXERCISE! I exercise 4 days a week, resistance train and cardio for at least 2 1/2 hours. Lost 20 lbs and feel great. Waiting for my doc to order my next lipid panel. We should be worried about calcification in our arteries. How about CAC screening? That should tell us more about what's going on.
I lift weights, play sports, and value my carbs. I'm wiser about converting to resistant starches and eating more complex carbs. Refrigerate oats, rice, potatoes, pasta whenever possible. Key is to keep the blood sugar spikes and insulin resistance under control. Balanced diet and exercise, 18:6 fasting, resistance training, and cardo is my thing. LP(a) is negative. I'm not getting sucked into statins anytime soon, nor worried about cholesterol levels. Niacin sucks, it can flush you and it's just another bandaid. I refuse to give up a normal life of the odd beer/wine and poutine debauchery... I AM CANADIAN
Not for everybody. When I was on niacin, I got incredibly sick, and my doctor knew immediately that the niacin had caused my liver enzymes to skyrocket; he had me stop the niacin, and within a couple of weeks I was back to normal. Even "natural" remedies can be bad for some people.
I had a TIA in 2019. I was put on 80 mg of Avorstation at the hospital and have been on it ever since. I had "elevated" cholesterol at the time. I question my GP every time about reducing it. He sinply responds with "It won't hurt you". But the more I read from Dr. Google, I'm not sure he's right.
I'm always hearing, "Talk to your healthcare provider..." But every time I do I get that deer in the headlights look. I have not had one single doctor in the past 50 years that knew about anything other than prescription drugs. The smallest amount of statins puts me in the hospital. Yet my cardiologist still insists that I take them.
It is working very well for me, especially my triglycerides. After 6 months of taking supplements, my total cholesterol is 168 and all my other blood factors are within normal range. Yes, it’s very effective!
About 40 years ago, I took a large dose of niacin, in the middle of the day, based on a suggestion I had read in a book. The warning, along with that suggestion, was that it could cause skin flushing. Oh, did it ever. I thought it might, so I wasn't too freaked out, and the effect was not especially unpleasant, but it was still quite a lot more than I expected. Taking any new substance, always start small!
Inositol hexanicotinate is slow release niacin that has all the same benefits as normal niacin but doesn't cause flushing... or if it does it's only very mild. It's not the niacin mentioned in the studies. It relies on enzymatic action to release one molecule of niacin at a time. The slow release works much better than the massive dump that normal niacin causes. 🙂
@@MichaelCzajka I thought I read, about 40 years ago, that nicotinic acid has some benefits that niacinamide doesn't have. It's been a long time, and it would not be trivial to look it up, but I have a pretty good idea where I read it, and I probably could look it up, if I were subjected to enough pressure. But I just had another thought. Doesn't tryptophan make niacin available? Isn't that actually the source of most of it? If so, there could be a danger in a diet that is low in protein. I'm not talking about insanely low, like someone with kwashiorkor or some such thing. But there seems to be a notion going around that less dietary protein slows aging. I think that may be really misguided. If you have a low-protein diet, that can cause problems. I've noticed some problems in my own experience. BTW I'm not talking about problems of long-term health. If I'm too short on protein, I just don't function well. And if you eat a diet like that, I wonder if that could lead to a niacin deficiency. Something to that?
@@ronaldgarrison8478 Niacinimde doesn't have all the benefits of niacin. Niacin is more effective. That seems to be well accepted. The main reason people take niacinimide is to avoid the flush from niacin... which can be very uncomfortable. The Inositol form of niacin allows you to get all the benefits with virtually none of the flush. If you get the flush (usually very mild) you can take 5 mg of folic acid and it disappears. That seems to work much faster than taking an aspirin: Sublingual tablet works very quickly i.e. A few minutes
@@ronaldgarrison8478 Look up the Journal of Ortholecular Medicine and niacin. They wrote a good summary of niacin and they reference inositol hexanicotinate. They point out that inositol hexanicotinate was the form favoured by the most famous proponents of niacin. For some reason this fact gets glossed over in most publications :-)
Me too Natto, bromelain and serrapeptase. Oh, and lumbrokinase. I take all 4 on an empty stomach. When I missed a day, arthritis pain jumped back at me. Googled and found that enzymes do have a function in pain. ❤🎉 Bless all of us who are refusing to roll over and play dead.
Not one mention of how it lowers Lp(a). This seems to be a statin ad to me. Lp(a) is far more atherogenic than LDL and statins RAISE Lp(a). But niacin definitely lowers Lp(a). I know because I’ve lowered mine with it.
Clinical practice and medical research could be isolated from the profit motivation. New cures and treatments could be found without the profit motivation of the researchers. Does anyone else see a potential conflict of interest here?
I take 500mg of Niacin 30min before an intense workout. It gives me energy and reduces muscle fatigue, 3x week. The problem with studies, is WHO is conducting the study and what were the circumstances. Just recently a "study" came out that IF was harmful, but what was the protocol and who funded it? For a prime exsmple, look at the food compass recommendations and who funded it...undisclosed, but curiously the top "healthiest" foods were breakfast cereals, above beef and eggs! See Dr. Berry, MD channel.
Cardiac event... I remember how the tone of the lady changed when I phoned the hospital to say I'm driving there I;m nearly there and I;m having a cardiac event..... they were awesome. they came to fetch me in the car in the parking lot. In my experience, just walking around the block will probably do more for most heart patients than two new tablets every day!
I was told that I had relatively high cholesterol a little over 6 months ago. My total cholesterol was 220, LDL 138, triglycerides 161, HDL was okay at 42. After being on 1,000 mg of niacin for almost 6 months my total cholesterol dropped to 193, LDL dropped to 122, triglycerides 129 and HDL increased to 48. Those were all good changes but I had to get off of it because, if you have blood sugar problems, this can cause that to increase. My A1c was 5.6 (high normal) to 5.9 (pre-diabetes). So, my results were almost identical to what these doctors found from their research. If blood sugar is not a problem for you then I would try it if I were you. If you are diabetic or pre-diabetic, I would stay away from large doses. I am not a medical specialist so this is just what happened to me.
I was prescribed Niaspan (Niacin) and my PCP told me it would come with a side effect of "flushing." Wow, was it! Now I know what women going through menopause experience. I was on fire, especially when stressed. When it's effects of on my cholerstol went down, my PCP took me off of it. I was thrilled!!! Now I'm on a statin.
@@RosellaReimer-u2v That's a good thing. However labs showed the Niacin having a diminishing effect from the beginning. I was not informed of any other Niacin options, but it didn't matter because it wasn't working.
Have you guys not seen the " Scientific Reports " Total cholesterol and all-cause mortality by sex and age cohort study?? Also the High LDL and Oreo Cookie experiment. I'm confused
Affected my red blood count. Lipitor lowered white. Extemibe works with few side effects. If you take niacin can get prescription brand without the adder to reduce face flushing. Just take it st. night.
I tried a small dose (50 to 100 mg) per day to help reduce the risk of basal cell and squamous skin cancer. But I started to get muscle pains in my thighs. I looked up the side-effects and one is muscle pain. At 75 I have enjoyed being pain free. So I gonna stop taking niacin and stick with the daily requirement amount.
I did a test 2 months drop my bad cholesterol 1.1 I was just taking 250mg 1/2 a pill now I’m doing 500mg I am sleeping better and feel better … and you guys should do better job on your research…. It’s better for you whole body brain ect …..
I worked with a man who had high cholesterol and took lots of niacin. Without warning, his face would almost turn purple. He looked like he was having a stroke.
There is flushing and non flushing. 500 mg will leave you looking like you are sunburned for 3hrs. If you are going to take larger doses take the non flushing kind. You will turn much less red
It's embarassing but it's not dangerous... but try telling that to third parties. You can get around the flushing problem by using slow release inositol hexanicotinate which relies on enzymatic action... and thus still has the same benefits as normal niacin. It wasn't mentioned in any of the studies the doctors referenced.
Most recent literature states that several studies indicate that high levels of niacin from supplements may produce a metabolite that increases the risk of MI and stroke. Take a look.
There is a big downside to niacin that can present a big risk for some patients. At one time, I had sky-high triglycerides - 722 and low HDL. My doctor put me on a high dose of niacin, certainly much higher than the RDA, yet what might be considered a clinical dose for efficacy. I am a writer and researcher and do a lot of writing in the healthcare space. My mother had died fairly young from a hemorrhagic stroke. To my shock, I discovered that a very compelling study showed that my high-dose niacin increased my already increased risk of the same type of stroke substantially. I immediately went off the niacin and onto a low-dose statin. My tri's have been much lower in recent years although my HDL has never been as high as it should be. I work out every day and cycle several miles daily as well. (late-60s) People who have any family history with hemorrhagic stroke need to steer clear of any dose of niacin beyond the RDA. Slo-niacin does help with flushing by the way. Yet, it doesn't end there. The statin I take has been found in a more recent study to double the risk of dementia. Both of my parents had dementia.
What needs to happen is the FDA needs to be held accountable for there stance or non-stance on these findings . Many of these guidelines and decisions are 50-60 years old and have not ben addressed. I.E. Diabetes. Vit, D3, artificial sweeteners, HFCS, vegetable oils .......
Last August I drastically changed my diet. No, fried foods, fast foods, beef (although I’m rethinking that) no pork lowered my sugar and carbs and I still have high cholesterol. Last summer I was taken off a statin because my liver enzymes were high. It’s very frustrating knowing you’ve worked hard and the cholesterol remains high 🤦🏻♀️ and still working through the liver enzymes. The only good news is I’m very close to not being diabetic anymore.
In my opinion, lower blood glucose trumps lower cholesterol every time. Congratulations on your progress! Have you come across Dr Eric Westman on RUclips? He often says, "Cholesterol is not a disease". Have you had a Coronary Artery Calcium Test? Dr W would say that if the results of that are good, you don't need to worry about cholesterol.
@@alexandrawhite7614 no I haven’t. They put me back in statin and I’ll have my enzymes rechecked in June. They said I may have to see a cardiologist if my enzymes go back up. I’ll check this doctor out. Thank you! It’s amazing how much better I feel now that I e cut all the garbage out.
Fellas, I take Nicotinamide, NMN, Berberine, Red Yeast Rice and Plant Sterols and I got my cholesterol down to an acceptable level without statins. It must depend on the individual.
Actually have been taking niacin for about a year and a half I would say maybe 2 years and I have seen a lot of great benefits from taking niacin I noticed in the beginning of taking niacin that I was quite cold but my body kind of worked through that but I think it's an amazing supplement to help do what other things cannot do because I really don't I prefer to stay away from statins as much as I can
@@susieqbrownI'm not sure what brand I am actually taking my family gets it for me at the pharmacy so but it really did lower my cholesterol there's a lot of research on things you can also look up Dr Guthrie he also is a doctor who recommends niacin as well so I hope this helps
Zalzal, This is what happens when your cholesterol is too low taken from the bmjopen-2020-036976. "Compared with moderately elevated LDL-C (eg, 117-137 mg/dL), a lower plasma level of LDL-C (eg, ≤84 mg/dL) was associated with an increased risk of 4-year all-cause mortality in middle-aged and elderly Chinese men. The results suggest the potential harmful effect of a quite low level of LDL-C on total mortality." This is why you see no long lived healthy populations or centenarians with low cholesterol levels.
@@TalkingWithDocs It is not an opinion as the study was not funded by any food, pharma or religious group, they are selling nothing and it is validated unless you can provide evidence but you have zero credentials in this field. This study is validated as it applies to all cultures around the globe.
@@TalkingWithDocs Please explain to Zalzal how these slim and fit, non smoking long term Chinese vegetarians taking no medications with a BMI of 22 hurt their cardiovascular health. 2005 article "Vascular Dysfunction in Chinese Vegetarians: An Apparent Paradox?" The CIMT does not lie. This is validated based on the evidence of the CIMT.
I agree low cholesterol is associated with all cause death. There are more studies now that prove it. And it is not reversed causality they also looked at that in new studies. One reason is that statins cause premature death.
The comment that Niacin lowers bad cholesterol and raises good HDL but that it doesn't correlate to longer lifespan without mentioning the same regarding Statins for primary prevention looking at the NNT and NNH is a bit suspect.
I have had 2 heart attacks but not with the symptoms most people expect. I refused statins on the first and of course after the 2nd I was ordered to take 80mg at night. I did for about a week but my instincts told me no. Being disabled means my meals are not nutritious as I rely on carers and I have a deep dislike of most foods. The information is so confusing that I simply do not care anymore. I have lost all faith in the medical system and food industry.
For those of us that react poorly to statins, niacin seems a good answer. With as little as 100 mg plain niacin my HDL went from 40 to 70. It did nothing to my LDL however.
Dr. Zalzal> Which statin do you use? I'm guessing either Atorvastatin or Rosuvastatin.....as those two seems to have become the most commonly recommended and prescribed. However, I personally lowered my apoB by nearly 30% using nicotinic acid(and lowered lipoprotein(a) 10% as well)....and have none of the issues/side effects- listed for niacin/nicotinic acid. Even though I'm taking it with a low dose statin. I'm surprised nobody working in the lipid/health space, hasn't even mentioned the method/protocol I'm using. I feel the people with authority in this field(lipid doctors and family physician) have failed to properly dig into all the research in this field. Otherwise, I shouldn't be among very few who get these benefits I'm seeing! 🤔😉
One of the things I hear about the study you all are talking about… and you mentioned it… it that the study used meds to eliminate the flush. Eliminating the flush made it so that the study is not useful.
Try the inositol hexanicotinate version of niacin. It is slow release using enzymatic action... as a result you don't flush (or it's very mild). You can also eliminate the flush by taking folic acid (5mg)... which improves the metabolism of niacin but doesn't change the way it works. This is the form that many of the older doctors use(d)... but not the one being quoted in the negative studies. 🙂
Just incidentally, my new dermatologist recommends 500mg Niacinamide (or Nicotinamide) twice a day, to reduce the number of basal cell carcinomas, and actinic keratoses.
MIne is ok with that protocol too. And for those of you unfamiliar with it, Niacinamide is mostly non-flushing. And IIRC, the study showed prevention against recurrence benefits for both non-melanomas.
Yep, same here and I live in tropical Far North Queensland, Australia, where skin cancer rates in the population are ludicrously high. I haven't had a skin cancer in more than 9 years.
@@marygarrett9724 My 70+ year old Irish skin has has a dozen BCC’s on my face, ears, and scalp alone over the past ten years. Numerous plastic surgeries and skin grafts. Three fluoro-uracil treatments have helped to kill them at the basal layer before they can surface. The B3 appears to be helping prevent the initial development.
I eat plenty of foods with b3 have done for years but I still have bad circulation , niacin all b vitamins they help circulation its not a fix it . Good diet and exercise is the key but this has to happen from an early age say in your teens.
i'M 71 AND HAD BAD PAIN PROBLEMS IN LEGS FROM STATINS. iN THRE BIN THEY WENT. I now eat nuts berries fresh ginger root cardamom powder cloves drink EVOO every day avoid sugar and things are working out ok.
Heard about some very recent research, a study comparing insulin lowering medication to the other group taking Statins, the insulin lowering medication had better results. The problem is high sugar/high carb diets - humans evolved to eat animal fats = end of story
Thanks for clearing up a decades old controversy 🤣. Please share a link to the study so we can review it. But we do agree added sugar and refined carbs should be reduced or eliminated if possible
My dad had a heart attack at 42, was put in statins plus niacin and he is turning 87 n next week and still drinks like a fish. So who knows… life’s a crapshoot
I'll do that study on myself. I'm not taking a statin at 54! only risk is high cholesterol. low triglycerides, low bp, good blood sugar result, non-smoker. Not over weight. I was a bit, hannnnnng onnnnnnnnnn cool your jetts when the gp tried to push a statin on me. I'm not against it if it's necessary but i need more tests to know that it. it's like schroedinger's atherosclerosis.
Niacin Does lower your bad numbers, and raises your good numbers. Not meant for long term. But still much better than Statins, which are long term, and only proven to lower a possible cardiac event by 1%.
Traded in my Rovustatin for Red Yeast and only every 2nd day, my cholesterol is back to normal levels. Used Niacin flush but heard about the same side effects etc. so stopped that long time ago. The flush is really heavy but eat 1/2 an apple and you will hardly have a flush, in case you want to use it.
I took statins for my cholesterol but I also reduced my weight and did exercise it improved my cholesterol Except for HDL remains at 1 . When I got influenza A my bad cholesterol, reduced to 1.8 So I stopped stopped statins because my energy almost depleted. I started eating meat, liver brain eggs to raise back cholesterol from 1.8 to 2.5 . I didn’t take statins regularly and then I stopped. I’m trying B3 niacin 500mg once a week cause I cannot stand the flush. So far I took it 4 times. My HDL 2.9 .
Statins caused dementia to my father after about 2 years of use. medical frat. would not admit this but it really does, so be very careful with these statins.
Statins caused diabetes to my mother. Statin diabetes caused diamentia. I threw statins in the garbage bin ans diabetes reversed. Also dementia stopped developing. She also got macular degeneration from statin diabetes.
I just started 500mg slo niacin daily (controlled release nicotinic acid) because I can't take statins or Zetia because of the side effects. I can't take many drugs becasue I'm highly sensitive to pretty much everything. So far no flushing and I feel pretty good, I have had a little dizziness but it's tolerable. I was already working out 180 minutes a week and eating clean with no added sugars and my BMI is below 28. Still can't get my cholesterol down. I go back to the doctor in 3 months to see if it's working.
No Flush Niacin is the way to go to treat depression. Flushing feels awful. As a vegan, I had success treating my depression w No flush niacin!! I mean GREAT success.
WHy is no one mentioning the ELEPHANT in the room. If you block hormone sensitive lipase surely that makes it harder to BURN BODY FAT?? So this would seem to make Niacin a really bad choice if you are wanting to loose weight.
I quit my statin by taking Niacin about 6 mons ago. Statins have way more side effects then niacin. The flush is no big deal. I'm pretty sure my Dr will not agree with this decision. As well i eat super clean veggies and fruit diet with intermittent fasting almost everyday.
I use a naturalpathic cardiologist, he told me my cholesterol should be 220 plus my age. Statins cause cancer, diabetes, alzheimers and do not add a day of life. He said to use policosanal instead. Also if you boost your nitric oxide in your blood, cholesterol does not stick to your arteries, the only reason to take a statin. All of my arteries are clean.
I tried a niacin supplement, but it was just too tricky. You are not supposed to eat/drink hot foods (spicy, temperature hot drinks) within a specific time period when you take it. I slipped up and ate some spicy food and felt like I was on fire all night long.
I was given a high-dose niacin tablet at a mountain hut some years ago and thought 'must be good for me', so down the hatch! After basically forgetting about it, I began to feel peculiar, angsty, hot and itchy. So as not to seem a total lunatic, I stepped out into the cold and snow and freaked out by myself for a bit, not enjoying the sensation that my base layer was now woven from steel wool and the temperature had seemingly risen to 40°C, and someone had cranked the brightness up to blinding. After composing myself for a few minutes, the sensations abated, and I went back in and described my symptoms. 'Oh, that's the niacin flush' I was told. 'That's the sensation of radiation leaving your cells' soon followed. That's unlikely, I thought but did not say. I declined the offer to take a few home.
500 mg is the sweet spot for niacin. Take the slow release Inositol hexanicotinate and if you don't want the flush but still want the other benefits. It's normal niacin but relies on enzymatic action to release it slowly. Works like magic. N.B. It wasn't the kind of niacin they mentioned in the video. 🙂
Good food for thought. Here are a few: What conditions are statins shown to help with? What studies back this up. Always heard hardening of arteries was bad, but that seems to be the objective of rosuvastatin calcium ( stabilize plaques by calcifying them)? Would one expect a low score on coronary calcium study after taking it for 2 years? Why would that test not be repeated? Thanks for helping the population understand the benefits of these blockbuster ( defined by financial performance, not health benefit ) drugs. Also, thanks to others that offer experience with healthier ways to control heart disease by diet and exercise!
I tried niacin therapy and truely my HDL went up, my LDL & triglycerides went DOWN, BUT MY KIDNEY FUNCTION ( GFR ) WENT DOWN TO 45. MY DR. HAD THE STROKE SEEING THIS. FORTUNATELY AFTER STOP THE THERAPY GFR RETURN TO 60 .
![Niacin (Vitamin B3): Flushing Away Heart Disease. [4 Studies]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/N17cmKCVxcw/mqdefault.jpg)
Yes, high doses of flush Niacin can lower cholesterol. BUT there is a catch. It eventually raises liver enzymes; it is hard on the liver, which is not good. Statins are bad also. I found the best way to lower my hereditary problem cholesterol (dropped 100 points in 8 months so far) as well as healthier triglycerides and HDL, was by INTERMITTENT FASTING, which is very healthy, and severely reducing white sugar and processed carbs. Eating only nature's carbs and quality organic fruits, veges, legumes, and good proteins. One cannot talk to their doctor because most doctors will not voluntarily promote intermittent fasting. We have to learn about it from good videos from doctors who are willing to get the word out. My doctor now talks about intermittent fasting with me because I brought it up and showed her the results. Then I found out some of the staff in my doctor's office was doing fasting as well, go figure. Good luck everyone!
I’m still shocked in 2024 a Dr is taking statins 😬
I did all the above that you did couldn't reduce my cholesterol.
@@snezanavl8580 ☹️
We do intermittent fasting also works AWESOME! Also doing the CARNIVORE DIET! No more Statins or blood pressure meds! Lost 75 pounds in 2 months! FEEL AWESOME!
YES! 🎉 Thanks for the post, I found the same
We attacked my mom's cholesterol from many directions. Exercise, sublingual b complex, omega-3 DHA/EPA, increased fiber and fermented foods, reduced saturated fat, etc. Have had excellent results in the past year!
Sounds like all good things and changes! Great on improving numbers.
Inspirational! How lucky your mom is to have your super-informed support.
Great approach
My cholesterol collapsed starting with working out at a gym with heavy weights last year and as of spring this year continues to decline.
Why did you attached your mams colesterol, are you insane?
I take niacin (500 mg) every couple days, also Berberine and psyllium husk. LDL went from 155 to 94. Total cholesterol is way better too. For me I’m taking it
That’s awesome
@gyges5495 which Niacin brand yoi take
Carlyle generic 100mg
How many times a day? I wanted to start Niacin 500 with Tudca but not sure if it's too much for my stomach to handle
@@thegruppies I only take it once every other day (I take Citrus Bergamot every day and Berberine too)
The problem with taking B3 supplements is that every molecule of B3, whether it's utilized in metabolism or excreted in the urine, has to be methylated. This means that very valuable methyl groups (CH3), are excreted in the urine. Natural foods that contain B3 also contain nutrients that support methylation. Many who come to this supplement have unhealthy methylation systems so the liver takes the hit. The safer way to go about supplementing with B3 is to match the molar weight of the B3 with that of Betaine TMG and take the correct forms of Folate and B12. (Methyl-folate and Methylcobalamin). A few grams of Glycine can aid in buffering any excess methyl groups.
Only excess niacin is methylated. Also, it is filtered directly (without needing to be methylated) into the urine by the kidneys.
@@Rene-uz3eb Not true.
@@rdance3 it's somewhere in the middle I think. So methylation uses up choline/betaine, but that only applies to nicotinamide, and the conversion of niacin to nicotinamide gets saturated very fast (which is why slow release niacin is a bad idea and causes liver issues). So the 'excess' niacin goes down different pathways not involving methylation
I'm glad I stayed till the end. Dr. Z had me thinking pro Niacin until the side effects were talked about. We love y'all in Texas. Thanks for all the great & entertaining information,
Other than gas and getting the shits, what can go wrong with it?
Z shades the anti-Niacin argument by failing to provide the statistical probability of harm from use. Just another MD talking out his uniformed/misinformed ass. Do your own research and stay with peer review journal papers. Stiff reads but well worth the effort and you actually learn some new things..
@@donaldkasper8346they state it can lead to diabetes and insulin resistance
The flush from niacin is due to it dilation of your capillaries, skull arms all over.. The dilation of capillaries in the brain, around the heart and lungs seems to me to be highly desirable.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the flush comes from nicotinic acid as opposed to niacinamide
Statins have a very nasty side effect. After my open-heart surgery they put me on 80mg of Atorvastatin and I suffered years with "brain fog" and became more and more confused. Until I got a new Cardiologist who looked at my DLs and concluded to try to stop the statin for 6 weeks and report back how things were going. They were going swell to be honest. Three days after stopping the statin I did no longer suffer from the "brain fog". I had some more bloodwork done and we upped it back to 40mg, where I am today, and my head feels clear as before the whole ordeal.
How about berberine?
Same statin prescribed by my treating Physician. Three weeks in and my sleep was wrecked, wake up wired for sound every 2 1/2 - three hours, muscle cramps, and my short term memory tanked. I was on a half dose, quit statin and a couple weeks later I was back to normal. Went Carnivore and feel great. Labs soon so we'll see.
Please let us know!
I threw my statin out
@@teddybear4020 Have you tried niacin or red yeast rice?
I took Niacin for about two months to help bring down my cholesterol. I also cut out saturated fats as I have a genetic expression that makes it difficult for my body to breakdown saturated fat. I also made sure I was lifting weights 3 times a week. I made sure I was eating fruit instead of other sweets. Brought my cholesterol down from 8.9 to 6.2.
RDA’s were created during WWII due to food rations. The amounts were based on healthy individuals and the amount of supplements and foods to maintain health due to not having access to a wide range of foods. They are very outdated and not helpful for people who have health issues.
Actually, RDA’s were created a dozen yrs earlier than that from a small group of Ivy League students, (white men) simply recording their natural levels of various components in their blood (not tissue) samples and averaging the results. So, as your comment rightly identified, this is a completely inaccurate model for any “normalized” standard. So glad you put this up for discussion. Regards
I went to the doctor with exhaustion. My heart was not beating correctly as it was high. Also had shortness of breath. She ordered a statin and I refused. Started niacin. In a few days my energy increased and I had no problems with shortness of breath.
Niacin typically does not play a role in cardiac conduction but glad you are feeling better
perhaps seek out an experienced cardiologist as those symptoms suggest a possible heart/arterial issue - mine would never suggest medications without first taking tests such as an echogram, ultrasound, or cat scan to rule out a blockage -
@ the doctor at the hospital did testing and it is not serious. Niacin took care of the symptoms. I am thankful!!!!
@@RaptureReadyforJesus-qv2qlDo you take it daily and your dosage?
Angina can be intermittent. You're gambling with your life.
Cholesterol is critical for the body for cell repair, make hormones in the adrenal cortex, sex hormones. Cholesterol is so important to the brain it makes its own since lipids cant go through the blood brain barrier. The most advantageous study id the 4s study on statins. There was no change in all cause mortality and a 1% absolute reduction in CVD. Doctors sell you on relative efficacy.
Stains reduce CoQ10 and K2 and increase risk of T2D, ED, dementia, skin cancer etc. Satins do cross the blood brain barrier and create brain fog. Older people with higher cholesterol live longe. If you want to really damage someone put them on statins and tell them iodine supplement is expensive urine. Do your research and find a doctor of naturopathy or functional medicine
Dr Steven GUNDRY, a cardiologist says cholesterol isn’t the problem it’s Triglycerides. Go on a Keto diet, cut out anything made from flour, potatoes and rice. Eat meat, fish, low glycemic vegetables, nuts and berries.
Some would consider being brain dead but alive to be a clinical success. Not in my book. Fix the diet, find ways to reduce fasting glucose level.... And use finger sticks as guidance to assess. Before meal, 30 min after, 90 min after.
@@bonniebenz8792He also says avoid tomatoes but Italians eat them every day
@@bonniebenz8792 Triglycerides also drop when you take niacin.
Absolutely true about the 1% vs the 30% doctors like to tout. They pharmas hide the efficacy and most doctors aren't chemists or mathematicians, or researchers, they just sell whatever the pretty little pharma-chick gives them samples of.
I took Niacin for a while. I built up my tolerance to the flush and learnt to actually like it, and ended up taking 2g per day. Yes it lowered my LDL and Niacin is useful for reducing plaque in arteries too. Good for helping with LP(a) too, something Statins can’t claim. If you don’t get the the flush type don’t expect any benefit.
Reducing plaque sounds like the objective here. Stabilizing plaque with Calcium sounds like a good idea until you consider if you want it there at all. Cavadex seems like another path to losing plaque. Last i'd heard there were problems with hearing loss?
@@JohnWest4 it appears that Cavadex turns stabilized plaque into soft plaque (the dangerous type) which doesn’t sound good for the risk factors at all!
@@danteburritar2822especially if your business model relies on people to be scared of eliminating their atherosclerotic accumulada. That's c what we have stations for, for the rest of your life. If it helps 15% of people, is it unnecessary for 85% of people?
I take 1000 mil of non flush a day and after a year my cholesterol dropped, so both types work
@@danteburritar2822 where can I read about that?
I started taking 1 tbsp of psyllium husk a day and cholesterol went from 225 to 183. My LDL and Triglycerides lowered and HDL went up. I am not certain the psyllium did it because I also started to exercise more and consume fish. I suspect it's the psyllium because my cholesterol has always been high even when I exercised a lot when I was young. Hope this might be helpful for some.
Update Aug 8, 2024: I tested Apo b and it also has dropped from 124 mg/dL to 106. While psyllium helped, it's not low enough. I will go on statins and hope with psyllium, low dosage will be adequate.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
I take about 4 tablespoons a day with no change to my (inherited) cholesterol but still taking the psyllium. Body doesn't tolerate statins.
@@susieqbrown that's unfortunate. I've only done one test after taking psyllium. I was very surprised with the results and couldn't explain it any other way. My diet is very healthy but not sure it will have such a drastic impact. I wish you the best!
I bet your colesterol is 225 again today, the colesterol is what it should be!
@@Kjuken69 Possiblity. Will find out with the next test.
My fellow Canadian Dr's are FANTASTIC
Statins also stabilize cholesterol deposits already accumulated in the arteries, it's not just about lowering LDL. The statin denial movement is just as crazy as the pro-disease / anti-vax movement. Statins are well documented to reduce the risk of heart attack. "Vulnerable plaque" is a good search term.
Once again the Docs have nailed it😊
Please describe your takeaway. If absolute efficacy matters, and we go from 4% to 2%, then 98% of customers were not helped. 2% were beyond help. 2% were helped. 96% contributed to the financial performance of the industry.
Years ago there was a push for niacin and lots of people started taking it but the red face became an issue.
A lot of multivitamins have niacin in the ingredients. That and what's consumed in the food we eat is probably enough without taking an additional supplement.
It just seems like the risks are too high and could lead to more problems we don't need.
We really appreciate your honest opinion! If something is iffy, you will definitely tell us!👍
You can buy no flush niacin
@@mikeshay4866 But I heard that it needs to be the flushing kind. I don't know, I'm not a Doc I wish they had touched on that.
Has to be the flush one
@@carync131 Inositol hexanicotinate is no-flush but works like normal niacin. It uses enzymatic action to release one niacin molecule at a time and works better than normal niacin. None of the studies the doctors referenced used this form... but it's the form that doctors and patients prefer.
:-)
“I’m no hero… I’m just an orthopedic surgeon.” 😂 Once again an informative video with humor! Thank you guys for studying various health topics and sharing with us. You step out of the orthopedic box to provide us with valuable health information but always tell us “You are in charge of your own health.” 👏🏻 Thank you! 😊
Amla (Amalaki) Powder and ground flax seeds one tbsp of each in my protein shake every morning helped and its cheep and no side effects.
Ayurveda
I love the smart new scrubs. The best yet. I too took niacin for a while in the hope of lowering my cholesterol, but then stopped because I prioritise my blood glucose. I'm glad to have my decision endorsed (sort of).
Yes it appears that Niacin does not help much in terms of absolute risk of cardiac events but according to JAMA neither do Statins. Their study of over 20 studies found that Statins do improve your cholesterol numbers but absolute risk of a cardiac event is only lessened by about 1% to 2%. The drug companies have convinced the doctors by only showing relative risk improvement and ignoring absolute risk.
Artery De-Clogger recipe works for me.
1 serving:
1 raw clove of garlic.
3 tbs of red onion.
1/2 bunch of Italian parsley, if using a juice extractor. Or 6-7 sprigs if using a blender.
1/2 cup celery with leaves.
1/2 inch of ginger root.
1 pinch of cayenne pepper.
1 cup of tomato juice. Ice cubes or water as needed.
Can use a juice extractor or blender.
Juice: garlic, ginger. Onion, parsley and celery.
Add to tomato juice and add cayenne pepper, lemon juice, ice cubs or water.
Can also take supplements like lecithin/sunflower.
Kyolic garlic capsules.
Milk thistle.
Cut down on cold meats and junk food.
Take supplements with food.
Consult with your health care provider.
Hope this recipe helps .
How much lemon juice?
Similar to “Fire Cider” but you let the concoction ferment and sip off it for days or months.
Quack Quack!
Where is the data, source?
@@rajeevshrivastava4488 None. It's wishful thinking.
My cholesterol was 284 2 months ago and I started taking 500mgs of Niacin with flush and I went back to the lab for blood work and my cholesterol went down 40 points. I am also intermittent fasting and reduced my processed cheeses. I am looking forward to lowering it a bit more.
Keep it going
Omg i’m exhausted listening to all of this. Every time u think u have stumbled onto something it upsets something else.
It’s a tricky balance for sure.
I absolutely agree! It's exhausting and overwhelming and it makes you just want to give up.
Over a decade ago my GP ordered niacin for me. I was taking a nap at my sister’s house. I had a dream that I was on a beautiful tropical beach. I started getting warmer and warmer…woke up flushed and feeling almost like a red lobster. I believe after she dc’d it she ordered Lipitor instead (which has successfully kept my cholesterol levels down). Another great video…thanks 🇨🇦🇨🇦😊
Yes, niacin causes capillaries to dilate turning skin hot and red. For the first several days. The Journal of the American Medical Association, JAMA, released a meta study two and years ago analyzing every study ever done on statins, they concluded that there's a ONE PERCENT increase in prevention of a heart attack and ONE PERCENT increase in survival. One effing percent for all the money spent on these USELESS prescriptions. Statins are and always have been a con, there is no correlation between high cholesterol and heart disease, they LIED. Just like they lied about saturated fats, sugar, and "vegetable" oil. Chronic inflammation, which high blood sugar and high omega 6 cause, will ruin your health. And they lied about salt too. If you are sensitive to sodium that indicates you need more potassium and magnesium, not less sodium. There is an interesting phenomenon called "keto flu" that appears 2 weeks after going to less than 20 grams of carbs per day. What it is is sodium deficiency due to the kidneys releasing stockpiled sodium, which occurs when one eats a lot of carbs. The cure for "keto flu" is salt. Low sodium levels increase heart failure risk.
Thanks for sharing, Docs! I was waiting for another of your informative videos! Have a good week!
Thanks! You too!
My father and my cousin (my father's brother's son) were both put on Niacin supplements by their doctors to reduce their cholesterol levels. Both of them, after just a short time on Niacin, had to be rushed to the hospital. They were both diagnosed with dehydration. My father was in critical condition at the hospital. The ER doctors told them to never take Niacin supplements ever again. The both developed heart conditions later in their life, but heart disease runs in my father’s family, so it appears genetic. Anyway, I will not use Niacin because I am afraid of the problems that my family members developed.
According to 2022 JAMA, statins barely help at all, not worth the side effects in my opinion.
Docs we are listening to what you say asGENERAL INFORMATION. Thank you!
People need to follow their Dr's advice or get 2nd opinions. Your info is great in directing people to better health.
Thank you. That is the goal of of the channel. Educate people so they can make an informed decision and have a useful conversation with their primary care provider.
High cholesterol does not cause heart disease or atherosclerosis. Study showed people with higher cholesterol levels live longer in Japan, similar conclusions were made by a study based in the Netherlands and published in BMJ in 2016.
Give me some references. Not just one but several and I will read up on it.
@@billwilliams44think for yourself! How could colesterol be dangerous? Use your brain
@@Kjuken69 too much cholesterol causes people to misspell words.
My mom suffered a massive stroke due to high cholesterol twenty years ago. She was put on a daily statin ever since, and thankfully she hasn’t suffered any other illness. My grandmother who also suffered from high cholesterol died recently in her nineties after taking statins for as long as I can remember.
@@Kjuken69 use my brain. Help me here. I want to understand your logic.
It seems tough to make a case for taking an additional Niacin supplement given that an ordinary daily multivitamin has plenty of it and the average breakfast cereal is fortified with some Niacin. Thanks for your excellent presentation!
An ordinary multi vitamin does not have plenty of Niacin in the higher dose, nor is it usually even the right kind of niacin. Still, there is no magic pill, and I can say this from experience.
You are talking about niacinamide not niacin. It is in all the multivitamins, but is very different and doesn't work to lower cholesterol like niacin.
@@normainafuku-pw9zm That is correct. The Niacin that makes you tingle and flush is the right one.
If your cholesterol hasn't dropped then you're not taking enough niacin.
The amount of niacin in foods obviously isn't sufficient otherwise you wouldn't have a cholesterol problem?
@@MichaelCzajka Niacin is not the cure. It only covers up the symptoms.
Oh, how I wish you awesome Doctors were in the US or I was in Canada. I had a knee replacement done 4 years ago that needs to be revisited, and I am struggling so hard to connect with a physician that understands and is willing to listen to what I need. Which is no chronic pain, more mobility.When you take away from someone who has been active and is now barely mobile, life is not enjoyable. Sigh. I have learned so much from watching your videos. You guys are the best! A word on niacin, Have taken it as a supplement. Did have some side effects, symptoms where my face would get hot and.
A bit of a rapid pulse. Stop taking it and now try to get it through food groups. I think that works for me.
I recently signed up with Root Cause Medical in Maryland. It is functional medicine.The program last 16 weeks. Hopefully it may help you.
@@EllenDuke-y3d Thank you I will check it out. Bless you!
My doc wanted to put me on statins just because I was approaching 70 and protocol and my lipid panel was in the normal range maybe above medium average. I said BS, I'm not out of shape or obese, I started eating ketogenic. THE CHEAPEST DRUG IN THE HOUSE IS EXERCISE! I exercise 4 days a week, resistance train and cardio for at least 2 1/2 hours. Lost 20 lbs and feel great. Waiting for my doc to order my next lipid panel. We should be worried about calcification in our arteries. How about CAC screening? That should tell us more about what's going on.
I lift weights, play sports, and value my carbs. I'm wiser about converting to resistant starches and eating more complex carbs. Refrigerate oats, rice, potatoes, pasta whenever possible. Key is to keep the blood sugar spikes and insulin resistance under control. Balanced diet and exercise, 18:6 fasting, resistance training, and cardo is my thing. LP(a) is negative. I'm not getting sucked into statins anytime soon, nor worried about cholesterol levels. Niacin sucks, it can flush you and it's just another bandaid. I refuse to give up a normal life of the odd beer/wine and poutine debauchery... I AM CANADIAN
@stephenmcconnell1935 you do you. my healthy bod doesn't need that crap
Thank you doctors for your very informative videos.
You guys are amazing.
Not for everybody. When I was on niacin, I got incredibly sick, and my doctor knew immediately that the niacin had caused my liver enzymes to skyrocket; he had me stop the niacin, and within a couple of weeks I was back to normal. Even "natural" remedies can be bad for some people.
I had a TIA in 2019. I was put on 80 mg of Avorstation at the hospital and have been on it ever since. I had "elevated" cholesterol at the time.
I question my GP every time about reducing it. He sinply responds with "It won't hurt you". But the more I read from Dr. Google, I'm not sure he's right.
Dr Google is usually full of poo.
The entire discussion takes for granted that cholesterol levels are a CAUSE of cardiovascular events rather than evidence of a underlying condition.
It's been very well studied for decades.
I'm always hearing, "Talk to your healthcare provider..." But every time I do I get that deer in the headlights look. I have not had one single doctor in the past 50 years that knew about anything other than prescription drugs. The smallest amount of statins puts me in the hospital. Yet my cardiologist still insists that I take them.
It is working very well for me, especially my triglycerides. After 6 months of taking supplements, my total cholesterol is 168 and all my other blood factors are within normal range. Yes, it’s very effective!
Glad to hear it
How much are you taking?
@@susieqbrown 100mg daily and I added peanuts to my diet which are also a good source. Remarkable results!
After much research, I settled on 50 mg a day along with other lifestyle choices. It works for me.
About 40 years ago, I took a large dose of niacin, in the middle of the day, based on a suggestion I had read in a book. The warning, along with that suggestion, was that it could cause skin flushing. Oh, did it ever. I thought it might, so I wasn't too freaked out, and the effect was not especially unpleasant, but it was still quite a lot more than I expected.
Taking any new substance, always start small!
Agree
Inositol hexanicotinate is slow release niacin that has all the same benefits as normal niacin but doesn't cause flushing... or if it does it's only very mild.
It's not the niacin mentioned in the studies.
It relies on enzymatic action to release one molecule of niacin at a time.
The slow release works much better than the massive dump that normal niacin causes.
🙂
@@MichaelCzajka I thought I read, about 40 years ago, that nicotinic acid has some benefits that niacinamide doesn't have. It's been a long time, and it would not be trivial to look it up, but I have a pretty good idea where I read it, and I probably could look it up, if I were subjected to enough pressure.
But I just had another thought. Doesn't tryptophan make niacin available? Isn't that actually the source of most of it? If so, there could be a danger in a diet that is low in protein. I'm not talking about insanely low, like someone with kwashiorkor or some such thing. But there seems to be a notion going around that less dietary protein slows aging. I think that may be really misguided. If you have a low-protein diet, that can cause problems. I've noticed some problems in my own experience. BTW I'm not talking about problems of long-term health. If I'm too short on protein, I just don't function well. And if you eat a diet like that, I wonder if that could lead to a niacin deficiency. Something to that?
@@ronaldgarrison8478 Niacinimde doesn't have all the benefits of niacin. Niacin is more effective. That seems to be well accepted.
The main reason people take niacinimide is to avoid the flush from niacin... which can be very uncomfortable.
The Inositol form of niacin allows you to get all the benefits with virtually none of the flush. If you get the flush (usually very mild) you can take 5 mg of folic acid and it disappears. That seems to work much faster than taking an aspirin: Sublingual tablet works very quickly i.e. A few minutes
@@ronaldgarrison8478 Look up the Journal of Ortholecular Medicine and niacin. They wrote a good summary of niacin and they reference inositol hexanicotinate. They point out that inositol hexanicotinate was the form favoured by the most famous proponents of niacin. For some reason this fact gets glossed over in most publications :-)
I’m taking nattokinase to lower my genetic high cholesterol n help the plaque buildup
Did it work?
Me too
Natto, bromelain and serrapeptase. Oh, and lumbrokinase.
I take all 4 on an empty stomach. When I missed a day, arthritis pain jumped back at me.
Googled and found that enzymes do have a function in pain.
❤🎉
Bless all of us who are refusing to roll over and play dead.
@@katiedid1851 Did it work?
That isn't going to do anything for your existing plaques. Statins can stabilize those and make rupture less likely.
Not one mention of how it lowers Lp(a). This seems to be a statin ad to me. Lp(a) is far more atherogenic than LDL and statins RAISE Lp(a). But niacin definitely lowers Lp(a). I know because I’ve lowered mine with it.
Clinical practice and medical research could be isolated from the profit motivation. New cures and treatments could be found without the profit motivation of the researchers. Does anyone else see a potential conflict of interest here?
@stevemc2626 which niacin yiu took to lower lp a
@@shaziajaved2208 life extensions B3 Niacin 500mg capsules.
What were the doses you took to lower the lpa??
I take 500mg of Niacin 30min before an intense workout. It gives me energy and reduces muscle fatigue, 3x week.
The problem with studies, is WHO is conducting the study and what were the circumstances. Just recently a "study" came out that IF was harmful, but what was the protocol and who funded it?
For a prime exsmple, look at the food compass recommendations and who funded it...undisclosed, but curiously the top "healthiest" foods were breakfast cereals, above beef and eggs! See Dr. Berry, MD channel.
Very good discussion. So my take away was the doc final opinion....getting enough from my diet to not tinker w supplement and potential side effects
Thanks for the Cliff Notes here
Cardiac event... I remember how the tone of the lady changed when I phoned the hospital to say I'm driving there I;m nearly there and I;m having a cardiac event..... they were awesome. they came to fetch me in the car in the parking lot. In my experience, just walking around the block will probably do more for most heart patients than two new tablets every day!
I was told that I had relatively high cholesterol a little over 6 months ago. My total cholesterol was 220, LDL 138, triglycerides 161, HDL was okay at 42. After being on 1,000 mg of niacin for almost 6 months my total cholesterol dropped to 193, LDL dropped to 122, triglycerides 129 and HDL increased to 48. Those were all good changes but I had to get off of it because, if you have blood sugar problems, this can cause that to increase. My A1c was 5.6 (high normal) to 5.9 (pre-diabetes). So, my results were almost identical to what these doctors found from their research. If blood sugar is not a problem for you then I would try it if I were you. If you are diabetic or pre-diabetic, I would stay away from large doses. I am not a medical specialist so this is just what happened to me.
Thank you for sharing your experience
I was prescribed Niaspan (Niacin) and my PCP told me it would come with a side effect of "flushing." Wow, was it! Now I know what women going through menopause experience. I was on fire, especially when stressed. When it's effects of on my cholerstol went down, my PCP took me off of it. I was thrilled!!! Now I'm on a statin.
Oh wow! Thanks for sharing
There is also a no flushing version of niacin
@@RosellaReimer-u2v That's a good thing. However labs showed the Niacin having a diminishing effect from the beginning. I was not informed of any other Niacin options, but it didn't matter because it wasn't working.
Statins = poison
Have you guys not seen the " Scientific Reports " Total cholesterol and all-cause mortality by sex and age cohort study?? Also the High LDL and Oreo Cookie experiment. I'm confused
Affected my red blood count. Lipitor lowered white. Extemibe works with few side effects.
If you take niacin can get prescription brand without the adder to reduce face flushing. Just take it st. night.
I tried a small dose (50 to 100 mg) per day to help reduce the risk of basal cell and squamous skin cancer. But I started to get muscle pains in my thighs. I looked up the side-effects and one is muscle pain. At 75 I have enjoyed being pain free. So I gonna stop taking niacin and stick with the daily requirement amount.
Sounds like a reasonable approach
I did a test 2 months drop my bad cholesterol 1.1 I was just taking 250mg 1/2 a pill now I’m doing 500mg I am sleeping better and feel better … and you guys should do better job on your research…. It’s better for you whole body brain ect …..
I worked with a man who had high cholesterol and took lots of niacin. Without warning, his face would almost turn purple. He looked like he was having a stroke.
Sounds like my gf when she asks me to chk her during... 😊😆
Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing
There is flushing and non flushing. 500 mg will leave you looking like you are sunburned for 3hrs. If you are going to take larger doses take the non flushing kind. You will turn much less red
It's embarassing but it's not dangerous... but try telling that to third parties.
You can get around the flushing problem by using slow release inositol hexanicotinate which relies on enzymatic action... and thus still has the same benefits as normal niacin.
It wasn't mentioned in any of the studies the doctors referenced.
Most recent literature states that several studies indicate that high levels of niacin from supplements may produce a metabolite that increases the risk of MI and stroke. Take a look.
You guys are great, love your presentations 😊
Thanks so much! 😊
There is a big downside to niacin that can present a big risk for some patients. At one time, I had sky-high triglycerides - 722 and low HDL. My doctor put me on a high dose of niacin, certainly much higher than the RDA, yet what might be considered a clinical dose for efficacy. I am a writer and researcher and do a lot of writing in the healthcare space. My mother had died fairly young from a hemorrhagic stroke. To my shock, I discovered that a very compelling study showed that my high-dose niacin increased my already increased risk of the same type of stroke substantially.
I immediately went off the niacin and onto a low-dose statin. My tri's have been much lower in recent years although my HDL has never been as high as it should be. I work out every day and cycle several miles daily as well. (late-60s) People who have any family history with hemorrhagic stroke need to steer clear of any dose of niacin beyond the RDA. Slo-niacin does help with flushing by the way. Yet, it doesn't end there. The statin I take has been found in a more recent study to double the risk of dementia. Both of my parents had dementia.
Keep taking statins... they'll help you forget about everything.
Superb video, many thanks 👍
What needs to happen is the FDA needs to be held accountable for there stance or non-stance on these findings . Many of these guidelines and decisions are 50-60 years old and have not ben addressed. I.E. Diabetes. Vit, D3, artificial sweeteners, HFCS, vegetable oils .......
Last August I drastically changed my diet. No, fried foods, fast foods, beef (although I’m rethinking that) no pork lowered my sugar and carbs and I still have high cholesterol. Last summer I was taken off a statin because my liver enzymes were high. It’s very frustrating knowing you’ve worked hard and the cholesterol remains high 🤦🏻♀️ and still working through the liver enzymes. The only good news is I’m very close to not being diabetic anymore.
In my opinion, lower blood glucose trumps lower cholesterol every time. Congratulations on your progress! Have you come across Dr Eric Westman on RUclips? He often says, "Cholesterol is not a disease". Have you had a Coronary Artery Calcium Test? Dr W would say that if the results of that are good, you don't need to worry about cholesterol.
@@alexandrawhite7614 no I haven’t. They put me back in statin and I’ll have my enzymes rechecked in June. They said I may have to see a cardiologist if my enzymes go back up. I’ll check this doctor out. Thank you! It’s amazing how much better I feel now that I e cut all the garbage out.
Fellas, I take Nicotinamide, NMN, Berberine, Red Yeast Rice and Plant Sterols and I got my cholesterol down to an acceptable level without statins. It must depend on the individual.
Nicitinamide is the wrong Niacin too. It's the flushing type called nicotinic acid that you should use. It's so confusing.
Actually have been taking niacin for about a year and a half I would say maybe 2 years and I have seen a lot of great benefits from taking niacin I noticed in the beginning of taking niacin that I was quite cold but my body kind of worked through that but I think it's an amazing supplement to help do what other things cannot do because I really don't I prefer to stay away from statins as much as I can
What brand, amount are you taking? Statins don't agree with me. thanks
@@susieqbrownI'm not sure what brand I am actually taking my family gets it for me at the pharmacy so but it really did lower my cholesterol there's a lot of research on things you can also look up Dr Guthrie he also is a doctor who recommends niacin as well so I hope this helps
Statins make me blind. WHY?
Zalzal, This is what happens when your cholesterol is too low taken from the bmjopen-2020-036976. "Compared with moderately elevated LDL-C (eg, 117-137 mg/dL), a lower plasma level of LDL-C (eg, ≤84 mg/dL) was associated with an increased risk of 4-year all-cause mortality in middle-aged and elderly Chinese men. The results suggest the potential harmful effect of a quite low level of LDL-C on total mortality." This is why you see no long lived healthy populations or centenarians with low cholesterol levels.
Thanks for sharing your opinion. This study has been invalidated on many levels.
@@TalkingWithDocs It is not an opinion as the study was not funded by any food, pharma or religious group, they are selling nothing and it is validated unless you can provide evidence but you have zero credentials in this field. This study is validated as it applies to all cultures around the globe.
@@TalkingWithDocs Please explain to Zalzal how these slim and fit, non smoking long term Chinese vegetarians taking no medications with a BMI of 22 hurt their cardiovascular health. 2005 article "Vascular Dysfunction in Chinese Vegetarians: An Apparent Paradox?" The CIMT does not lie. This is validated based on the evidence of the CIMT.
I agree low cholesterol is associated with all cause death. There are more studies now that prove it. And it is not reversed causality they also looked at that in new studies. One reason is that statins cause premature death.
Newer studies confirm the same low ldl is because of chronic inflammation, muscle loss and malnutrition
The comment that Niacin lowers bad cholesterol and raises good HDL but that it doesn't correlate to longer lifespan without mentioning the same regarding Statins for primary prevention looking at the NNT and NNH is a bit suspect.
I have had 2 heart attacks but not with the symptoms most people expect. I refused statins on the first and of course after the 2nd I was ordered to take 80mg at night. I did for about a week but my instincts told me no. Being disabled means my meals are not nutritious as I rely on carers and I have a deep dislike of most foods. The information is so confusing that I simply do not care anymore. I have lost all faith in the medical system and food industry.
For those of us that react poorly to statins, niacin seems a good answer. With as little as 100 mg plain niacin my HDL went from 40 to 70. It did nothing to my LDL however.
"That's not a bottom line, it was a paragraph" another informative, humorous review. Thanks Docs😅
Dr. Zalzal> Which statin do you use? I'm guessing either Atorvastatin or Rosuvastatin.....as those two seems to have become the most commonly recommended and prescribed.
However, I personally lowered my apoB by nearly 30% using nicotinic acid(and lowered lipoprotein(a) 10% as well)....and have none of the issues/side effects- listed for niacin/nicotinic acid. Even though I'm taking it with a low dose statin.
I'm surprised nobody working in the lipid/health space, hasn't even mentioned the method/protocol I'm using.
I feel the people with authority in this field(lipid doctors and family physician) have failed to properly dig into all the research in this field. Otherwise, I shouldn't be among very few who get these benefits I'm seeing! 🤔😉
One of the things I hear about the study you all are talking about… and you mentioned it… it that the study used meds to eliminate the flush. Eliminating the flush made it so that the study is not useful.
Correct 👍
Try the inositol hexanicotinate version of niacin. It is slow release using enzymatic action... as a result you don't flush (or it's very mild). You can also eliminate the flush by taking folic acid (5mg)... which improves the metabolism of niacin but doesn't change the way it works. This is the form that many of the older doctors use(d)... but not the one being quoted in the negative studies. 🙂
@@MichaelCzajka ~ Interesting 👍
Just incidentally, my new dermatologist recommends 500mg Niacinamide (or Nicotinamide) twice a day, to reduce the number of basal cell carcinomas, and actinic keratoses.
Do you have that??
Wow, that's interesting !
MIne is ok with that protocol too. And for those of you unfamiliar with it, Niacinamide is mostly non-flushing. And IIRC, the study showed prevention against recurrence benefits for both non-melanomas.
Yep, same here and I live in tropical Far North Queensland, Australia, where skin cancer rates in the population are ludicrously high. I haven't had a skin cancer in more than 9 years.
@@marygarrett9724 My 70+ year old Irish skin has has a dozen BCC’s on my face, ears, and scalp alone over the past ten years. Numerous plastic surgeries and skin grafts. Three fluoro-uracil treatments have helped to kill them at the basal layer before they can surface. The B3 appears to be helping prevent the initial development.
Nicotinamide (an amide -NH2) is not the same as flush niacin which contains a hydroxyl group (-OH).
People constantly get them mixed up.
🙂
Flush niacin works better than nicotinamide:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niacin
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicotinamide
Thanks for sharing
All cause mortality is not reduced by statins either.
I eat plenty of foods with b3 have done for years but I still have bad circulation , niacin all b vitamins they help circulation its not a fix it . Good diet and exercise is the key but this has to happen from an early age say in your teens.
I am starting to believe that certain vitamins are more dangerous then certain drugs, it's getting ridiculous
i'M 71 AND HAD BAD PAIN PROBLEMS IN LEGS FROM STATINS.
iN THRE BIN THEY WENT.
I now eat nuts berries fresh ginger root cardamom powder cloves drink EVOO every day avoid sugar and things are working out ok.
Heard about some very recent research, a study comparing insulin lowering medication to the other group taking Statins, the insulin lowering medication had better results. The problem is high sugar/high carb diets - humans evolved to eat animal fats = end of story
Thanks for clearing up a decades old controversy 🤣. Please share a link to the study so we can review it. But we do agree added sugar and refined carbs should be reduced or eliminated if possible
My dad had a heart attack at 42, was put in statins plus niacin and he is turning 87 n next week and still drinks like a fish. So who knows… life’s a crapshoot
My grandma is 101 has had extremely high blood pressure since the 1950s and she eats processed crap, coffee and grape soda and she’s still sharp
It's all up to JESUS
❤ Taking it now at my doctors request so far raising HDL and lowering LDL and…. Lowering LP(a) for me.
Awesome! Thanks for the feedback...
Supplements are not regulated. If nothing else was working - I would try a supplement - but only as a last choice.
I'll do that study on myself. I'm not taking a statin at 54! only risk is high cholesterol. low triglycerides, low bp, good blood sugar result, non-smoker. Not over weight. I was a bit, hannnnnng onnnnnnnnnn cool your jetts when the gp tried to push a statin on me. I'm not against it if it's necessary but i need more tests to know that it. it's like schroedinger's atherosclerosis.
Linus Pauling, 2 Nobel prizes. He wrote the book on Niacin.
One of the prizes was for opposing nuclear testing. The other was basic chemistry - but not for medicine. There's an important difference.
Niacin Does lower your bad numbers, and raises your good numbers. Not meant for long term. But still much better than Statins, which are long term, and only proven to lower a possible cardiac event by 1%.
Traded in my Rovustatin for Red Yeast and only every 2nd day, my cholesterol is back to normal levels. Used Niacin flush but heard about the same side effects etc. so stopped that long time ago. The flush is really heavy but eat 1/2 an apple and you will hardly have a flush, in case you want to use it.
It seems that co ensyme Q 10 really helps the red yeast extract work
I took the recommended dose of Niacin and it caused heart fluttering, I stopped and 2 days later they went away. I've never had that before or since.
I took statins for my cholesterol but I also reduced my weight and did exercise it improved my cholesterol Except for HDL remains at 1 . When I got influenza A my bad cholesterol, reduced to 1.8 So I stopped stopped statins because my energy almost depleted. I started eating meat, liver brain eggs to raise back cholesterol from 1.8 to 2.5 . I didn’t take statins regularly and then I stopped. I’m trying B3 niacin 500mg once a week cause I cannot stand the flush. So far I took it 4 times. My HDL 2.9 .
Statins caused dementia to my father after about 2 years of use. medical frat. would not admit this but it really does, so be very careful with these statins.
I finally got a better lipid panel with radical healthy eating and intermittent fasting.
But it doesn't cause dementia that have taken for 20 yrs it didn't for some, now what
Statins caused diabetes to my mother. Statin diabetes caused diamentia. I threw statins in the garbage bin ans diabetes reversed. Also dementia stopped developing. She also got macular degeneration from statin diabetes.
Yes statins go through the blood brain barrier and reduce cholesterol production. The brain makes its own cholesterol.
@@stuarthutt3740 so is it good or bad thing?
I just started 500mg slo niacin daily (controlled release nicotinic acid) because I can't take statins or Zetia because of the side effects. I can't take many drugs becasue I'm highly sensitive to pretty much everything. So far no flushing and I feel pretty good, I have had a little dizziness but it's tolerable. I was already working out 180 minutes a week and eating clean with no added sugars and my BMI is below 28. Still can't get my cholesterol down. I go back to the doctor in 3 months to see if it's working.
I am doing the same. I also take trimethylglycine ( TMG ) supplement to help protect my liver 👍
@@jamescalifornia2964 oh I'll do some research on TMG. Thanks
No Flush Niacin is the way to go to treat depression. Flushing feels awful. As a vegan, I had success treating my depression w No flush niacin!! I mean GREAT success.
It doesn't do the same job. The removed element from niacin to make it flush free is the element of niacin that reduces cholesterol
@@pikksburgh420 thanks, I edited my comment.
WHy is no one mentioning the ELEPHANT in the room. If you block hormone sensitive lipase surely that makes it harder to BURN BODY FAT?? So this would seem to make Niacin a really bad choice if you are wanting to loose weight.
I quit my statin by taking Niacin about 6 mons ago. Statins have way more side effects then niacin. The flush is no big deal. I'm pretty sure my Dr will not agree with this decision. As well i eat super clean veggies and fruit diet with intermittent fasting almost everyday.
I use a naturalpathic cardiologist, he told me my cholesterol should be 220 plus my age. Statins cause cancer, diabetes, alzheimers and do not add a day of life. He said to use policosanal instead. Also if you boost your nitric oxide in your blood, cholesterol does not stick to your arteries, the only reason to take a statin. All of my arteries are clean.
Actual cardiologists are NOT "naturopathic." Statins do not cause those problems.
I take niacinimide and soybean lectins. I dropped my bad cholesterol 61 points
I tried a niacin supplement, but it was just too tricky. You are not supposed to eat/drink hot foods (spicy, temperature hot drinks) within a specific time period when you take it. I slipped up and ate some spicy food and felt like I was on fire all night long.
I was given a high-dose niacin tablet at a mountain hut some years ago and thought 'must be good for me', so down the hatch! After basically forgetting about it, I began to feel peculiar, angsty, hot and itchy. So as not to seem a total lunatic, I stepped out into the cold and snow and freaked out by myself for a bit, not enjoying the sensation that my base layer was now woven from steel wool and the temperature had seemingly risen to 40°C, and someone had cranked the brightness up to blinding.
After composing myself for a few minutes, the sensations abated, and I went back in and described my symptoms. 'Oh, that's the niacin flush' I was told. 'That's the sensation of radiation leaving your cells' soon followed. That's unlikely, I thought but did not say.
I declined the offer to take a few home.
Bye bye, off to NL tomorrow to view bergs, full moon on Thurs to help with viewing and amazing taking great pics!
Enjoy. We went to NL last year and saw a lot of ice bergs and other beautiful scenery and fauna and wonderful people.
ANOTHER great video guys! Can you suggest a dosage amount to take of vitamin B-3?
I think he suggested not taking it.
500 mg is the sweet spot for niacin.
Take the slow release Inositol hexanicotinate and if you don't want the flush but still want the other benefits.
It's normal niacin but relies on enzymatic action to release it slowly.
Works like magic.
N.B. It wasn't the kind of niacin they mentioned in the video.
🙂
Good food for thought. Here are a few: What conditions are statins shown to help with? What studies back this up. Always heard hardening of arteries was bad, but that seems to be the objective of rosuvastatin calcium ( stabilize plaques by calcifying them)? Would one expect a low score on coronary calcium study after taking it for 2 years? Why would that test not be repeated? Thanks for helping the population understand the benefits of these blockbuster ( defined by financial performance, not health benefit ) drugs. Also, thanks to others that offer experience with healthier ways to control heart disease by diet and exercise!
This is interesting information but it’s like anything everything like not getting from good food will probably have a consiquince
Yes
I tried niacin therapy and truely my HDL went up, my LDL & triglycerides went DOWN, BUT MY KIDNEY FUNCTION ( GFR ) WENT DOWN TO 45. MY DR. HAD THE STROKE SEEING THIS. FORTUNATELY AFTER STOP THE THERAPY GFR RETURN TO 60 .
I take niacin because I eat gluten free bread, which has very little added vitamins.
Fair enough. Or just eat more avacado, mushrooms or some animal products if you eat those.
Thank you for this great video. I use diet, excercise and supplements.
Statins have nasty side effects. It weakens your leg muscles.