Niacin Used to Help Control High Cholesterol

Niacin has long been used to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the good cholesterol.

A lot of the attention regarding cholesterol has been focused on lowering your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or bad cholesterol. While lowering your LDL is a good idea boosting your HDL level is just as important.

Where is Niacin Found

Niacin is a B vitamin that is used by your body to convert carbohydrates into sugar, which your body then uses for energy.

Niacin is found in many foods including:

• dairy products
• wheat products
• lean meats
• poultry
• fish
• nuts
• eggs
• beans
• rice bran
• green leafy vegetables
• carrots
• turnips
• celery

In addition, many breads and cereals have niacin added to them.

Niacin is also available in a variety of different forms as either prescription medication or over-the-counter supplements.

What Impact Niacin has on Cholesterol

Niacin can raise HDL by 15 percent to 35 percent. This makes niacin the most effective drug available for raising HDL cholesterol. While niacin's effect on HDL is of most interest, it's worth noting that niacin also decreases your LDL and triglyceride levels. High levels of LDL and triglycerides are significant risk factors for heart disease.

HDL cholesterol picks up excess bad cholesterol in your blood and takes it back to your liver for disposal. The higher your HDL cholesterol, the less bad cholesterol you'll have in your blood.

Niacin or nicotinic acid, improves all lipoproteins when given in doses well above the vitamin requirement. Nicotinic acid lowers the total cholesterol LDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, while raising the HDL-cholesterol level.

Nicotinic acid is inexpensive and widely accessible to patients without a prescription but must not be used for cholesterol lowering without the monitoring of a physician because of the potential side effects. Nicotinamide, another form of the vitamin niacin, does not lower cholesterol levels and should not be used in the place of nicotinic acid.

Nicotinic acid reduces LDL-cholesterol levels by 10 to 20 percent, reduces triglycerides by 20 to 50 percent, and raises HDL-cholesterol by 15 to 35 percent.

Side Effects of Niacin

he effect of high blood pressure medicines may also be increased while you are on niacin. If you are taking high blood pressure medication, it is important to set up a blood pressure monitoring system while you are getting used to your new niacin regimen.

A variety of gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, indigestion, gas, vomiting, diarrhea, and the activation of peptic ulcers have been seen with the use of nicotinic acid.

Three other adverse effects include liver problems, gout, and high blood sugar. Risk of these three complications increases as the dose of nicotinic acid is increased.

Natural Supplements for Lowering Cholesterol - Resterol

Resterol can be used to compliment your existing treatment program, regardless of the medication you are currently prescribed. With its synergistic blend of nutrients, Progressive Health's Resterol can address factors in Your diet that influence total cholesterol levels.

Even though we cannot address hereditary factors influencing your cholesterol, this advanced formula may provide a secondary support to the many healthy changes you've started making in your life.

You've addressed your need to lower your total cholesterol; you now owe it to yourself to supplement your diet with a nutritional tool that is guaranteed, effective, and safe.

A few ingredients in Resterol are:

• Vitamin E - A potent antioxidant, vitamin E has been studied and used for years to improve cardiovascular health. Vitamin E supplementation also appears to reverse levels of certain molecules (VCAM-1 and nitric oxide) in the blood that contribute to atherosclerosis in people with high cholesterol.
• Pantethine - The effect of supplementation on cardiovascular health with this B vitamin has been known for many years. It appears the positive effects of pantethine in lowering lipids are related to its effect on insulin.
• Garlic (Allium sativa) - This botanical medicine, often referred to as the panacea of herbs, is very useful in cardiovascular disease. Certain compounds in garlic have demonstrated the ability to reduce oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which contributes to atherosclerosis.
• Gum Guggul Extract (Commiphora mukul) - Classically used in Ayurvedic medicine to lower cholesterol, gum guggul has received much interest in the Western world. Research supports the use of guggul to lower high levels of lipids.

For a complete list of ingredients Click Here.

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