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| Niacin |
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Review
Summary |
 Preventing heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels seems to be on the minds of many people these days. It’s hard to escape the ads for pharmaceutical-grade medications, such as Lipidor and Statins, on TV, online or in magazines. However, many of us know these medications potentially come with some severe side effects that we wish to avoid for as long as possible. For this reason, more and more individuals have started turning to the holistic market for support – when they start to have a problem, and as a preventative measure.
Holistic supplementation has been shown to be highly effective, especially when using proven elements, such as Plant Sterols. In fact, there are many elements used alone and in conjunction with elements to try to lower cholesterol. Niacin, which is also often called Nicotinic Acid, has started appearing in more and more supplements. However, many of us know it is a vitamin, but very few of us may know exactly what it does, and how it may affect cholesterol, so let’s take a look.
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| Ingredient at a Glance |
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Niacin is actually more commonly known as Vitamin B3. It is a water-soluble vitamin – meaning that it can’t be stored in the body, so left over amounts are excreted when we urinate. For this reason, it is important that we get it through the foods we eat. Supplementation with this element is used to address a variety of issues, such as high cholesterol, pellagra, cholera, arthritis, Raynaud's disease, Ménière's disease and atherosclerosis.
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| Ingredient in Focus |
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Nicotinic Acid, or Niacin, has been shown to improve all lipoproteins when given in doses well above the daily vitamin requirement. Nicotinic Acid is said to lower the total cholesterol, "bad" LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while raising the "good" HDL-cholesterol levels.
In general, Niacin is rather low-cost and widely accessible to most people without a prescription. However, when it is used for cholesterol lowering, it is said it should be monitored by a physician or other health care provider, due to its potential side effects. It is also important to note that Nicotinamide, yet another form of Niacin, cannot lower cholesterol levels.
Over and over again, in all of the literature, experts stress that using this element to lower serum cholesterol levels needs to be closely monitored, so that none of the warning signs of serious side effects are overlooked. Individuals who are using this element are usually started on low daily doses, which are gradually increased over time. In general, Nicotinic Acid has been shown to reduce LDL-cholesterol levels by 10 to 20 percent, and lessen triglycerides by 20 to 50 percent, while raising HDL-cholesterol by 15 to 35 percent.
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| Lifestyle |
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We would like to take a look at the side effects for a moment. An extremely common side effect of Nicotinic Acid is said to be flushing or hot flashes. This happens because of a widening of blood vessels. Many individuals begin to develop a “tolerance” to the flushing, while others find that if they take it during or after meals, the flushing is reduced.
It may also increase the effect of high blood pressure medicines, which should be closely monitored. In addition, it may cause nausea, indigestion, gas, vomiting and diarrhea, as well as activating peptic ulcers. Finally, there are three other potentially adverse reactions, including liver problems, gout and high blood sugar.
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| Positives |
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• May lower cholesterol
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| Negatives |
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• Said to have many potential side effects
• Needs to managed by a health care provider
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| Final Thoughts |
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Niacin may clearly lower cholesterol levels, but the side effects may seem daunting, as is the fact that supplementation with this vitamin, for this condition, needs to be overseen by a healthcare provider. However, there are other elements available that may get a person’s cholesterol levels in check, and are side effect-free. For instance, some of the more effective products rely on Plant Sterols, which have been shown to lower cholesterol levels by as much as 40%.
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| Our
Editors Top Choice: |
Week
of: Tue Mar 09th, 2010 |
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CholesterClear®:
CholesterClear® -
Imagine lowering your Cholesterol levels while still being able to eat the foods you love. CholesterClear® is an awesome product which literally blocks the bad cholesterol from being absorbed by the body. It does this naturally and safely because it contains certified organic highly concentrated plant sterols which have been clinically proven to effectively block 42% of the cholesterol in your food from being digested. This substance has been approved by the FDA and American Medical Association as being effective in lowering and preventing high Cholesterol, LDL and HDL levels. With over 1200 published studies declaring it works, how can you go wrong with this? Prescriptions that fight Cholesterol levels also have some ugly negative side effects associated with them – so we recommend checking this product out because it has no side effects what-so-ever. Click Here to read our full review. |
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