Re: Strategies for People to Raise Their Levels of Good HDL Cholesterol

<fresh~horses@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1127485902.927427.102610@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> GaryG wrote:
> > <fresh~horses@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> > news:1127442371.519225.79630@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > >
> > > GaryG wrote:
> > > > "William Wagner" <PainInAss__williamwag@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> > > >
news:PainInAss__williamwag-5C8373.10541522092005@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > >
> > > > > http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/514690/?sc=dwhn
> > > > >
> > > > > Source: Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
> > > > >
> > > > > In the report, the researchers cite niacin, also called nicotinic
acid
> > > > > or vitamin B3, as the most effective medication for raising HDL
> > > > > cholesterol, leading to increases of 20 percent to 35 percent.
Fibrate
> > > > > therapy is also effective, they say, producing an average increase
of
> > 10
> > > > > percent to 25 percent. Statins are the least effective of the
three
> > drug
> > > > > classes, used primarily to reduce LDL cholesterol, raising HDL
levels
> > by
> > > > > 2 percent to 15 percent. When used in combination, low-dose
statins
> > and
> > > > > high-dose niacin have been shown to produce benefits of 21 percent
to
> > 26
> > > > > percent.
> > > >
> > > > I've treated my cholesterol levels with exercise and niacin for the
last
> > 9
> > > > years or so. I take 3000mg/day of niacin, under doctor's
supervision,
> > and
> > > > have seen my HDL climb from 40 to 80 during that time. It's also
helped
> > > > with my LDL, which has declined from 161 to 91.
> > > >
> > > > IMO, niacin is one of the unsung heroes for cholesterol control.
I'm
> > > > self-insured, with no prescription drug benefits, which is why I
sought
> > it
> > > > out in the first place. My niacin only costs me 7 cents per
> > day...compared
> > > > to $3-4/day for the statin drugs. Plus, unlike statins, it helps
raise
> > HDL.
> > > >
> > > > Unfortunately, there's no constituency to promote niacin, because
nobody
> > is
> > > > going to make a billion dollars from it.
> > > >
> > > > GG
> > >
> > >
> > > It's such an amazing success story GG that I think you should lay it
> > > out here for new posters. Tell us exactly how you went from first dose
> > > to what you take now, what you had to deal with and how you did that.
> > > No one else will be able to do exactly what you did, but it might be
> > > helpful to have some understanding of what could work, especially if
> > > trying to *sell* the idea to one's physician.
> > >
> > > Zee
> > >
> >
> > Sure...here goes.
> >
> > I have a family history of heart disease - my Dad (a smoker) died at age
47.
> > My mom and brother and I all have fairly high cholesterol levels
> > (untreated). Despite being pretty active (cycling 2000 miles or so per
> > year), and maintaining a normal weight, I was unable to get my
cholesterol
> > below about 255 (with a not very good ratio of HDL to LDL).
> >
> > While still employed (with health benefits), I tried a couple of
different
> > statins. One gave me a persistent low-grade headache, while the other
> > seemed to leave a metallic taste in my mouth. Both, however, did a very
> > good job of reducing LDL (can't recall HDL effects).
> >
> > After starting my own business, and becoming self-insured, the cost of
> > statins became prohibitive so I started looking for alternatives. I
tried
> > niacin for a while, but the "flushing" effects were quite intolerable
(I've
> > heard others say the same thing). I quit taking the niacin, and tried
> > "BiosLife" (a proprietary fiber mix, sold by doctors) instead. After 3
> > months, my cholesterol levels hadn't changed a bit, and the stuff was
kind
> > of expensive so I quit taking it too.
> >
> > While participating in a fundraiser for MS (an MS150 bike ride in the
> > Sierras), I mentioned my dilemma to a doctor I met on the ride. He said
> > that niacin was good, but that it would take some time for my body to
build
> > up a tolerance to the flushing. He urged patience, and recommended I
start
> > with a low dosage, taken with an aspirin just before bedtime.
> >
> > I followed his recommendations, and gradually (over 4-6 months)
increased my
> > dosage. I also found that it's important to take it religiously,
because
> > you can quickly lose your tolerance for it (within a few days). But, by
> > being persistent and patient, I was able to increase my dosage to it's
> > current level (1000 mg in the morning, and 2000 mg before I go to bed at
> > night).
> >
> > This was all done with my doctor's knowledge and encouragement. I also
get
> > blood tested ever year or two for liver function abnormalities.
> >
> > So far, the results have been outstanding. There's no side effects to
the
> > niacin (as long as I take it regularly), and my liver tests are normal.
> > And, like I noted before, you can't beat the cost.
> >
> > GG
>
>
> Excellent GG. Just a couple questions:
>
> What was your starting dose?

Can't recall...it was probably 500 mg (the pills I currently take) or 100
mg, but it's been so long that I'm not sure.

>
> What type of niacin did you use (chemical name).

Plain old nicotinic acid. I don't take the "timed release" or "extended
release" formulations, as I've read where they have a higher incidence of
liver toxicity.

>
> Was Lance on dope?

I'd like to think not, but who knows?

FWIW, my brother knew him when he was just 16 years old, and it was clear
even then that he was a gifted athlete and a genetic one-in-a-million. He
was beating seasoned professional triathletes way back then, which lends
credence to the "he's just gifted and not on dope" viewpoint.

GG

>
> Zee
>


.

Relevant Pages

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