Elizabeth A. Triana, MD

What is Niacin Used For?

Therapeutic doses of Niacin 1.5 to 3+ grams a day has been used to treat high cholesterol long before statins.

The beneficial effects of Niacin are like a broad spectrum antibiotic affecting almost all the factors usually measured in a lipid panel.
 
Therapeutic Niacin lowers total cholesterol, raises HDL (the good cholesterol), lowers the LDL (bad cholesterol), reduces the breakdown of fats reducing the VLDL (most harmful of all fractions) as well as lowering triglyceride levels.
 
With all the good, what is the clinical problem with taking therapeutic Niacin? It is the “so called annoying flush" lasting 15-30 minutes which will disappear with regular use. The annoying flush should be thought of as  "BENEFICIAL - FLUSHING OUT THE BAD CHOLESTEROL".
 
At higher doses of 5 grams per day there is a risk of liver injury.
 
The bottom line is that by adding Niacin to a statin drug, it will reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke by 70%.
  
Niacin alone and in combination with statins or other anti cholesterol drugs also has been shown to reduce the size of active arteriosclerotic plaque.
 
No flush Niacin has been shown to be much less effective than timed release Niacin. Before you start taking this extraordinary Vitamin B3 please consult with your doctor for the proper dose.

At the Triana Prevention Center advanced testing identifies the size and quantity of good and bad cholesterol particles so we can create individualized treatment to maximize the good and minimize the bad cholesterol as well as monitoring other risk factors associated with increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

For an initial appointment call 941-625-1990

Newsletter Volume 1 - Number 7