I just got my results from the blood test I took on Monday ( only 1 day into my new diet ). My HDL was only 35 and my LDL was 163 :( I am going on lipitor and continuing with the zetia. Plus of course my new mostly fruit/veggies/eggwhites/fat free deserts diet should help me turn those numbers around. I really need to raise HDL and I know thats not easy to do. I asked my doctor about niacin and RYR and he was not to sure if it was worth my time to do that but said it won't interfere with my meds. Lenin , do you think I really should also have those 2 drinks of wine at night to help raise HDL?

Niacin is fantastic at raising HDL.


In 17 months on prescription Niaspan, I reduced my Total-C from 328 to 195, LDL from 222 to 135, TG's from 304 to 153, and increaded my HDL from 46 to 52. That's a 50% reduction on average.

Statins never provided those results in my 16 years of dealing with high cholesterol. And like you, I hated the side effects of statins.

I'm currently taking 3000 mg a day. start out slow so your body gets use to them. Some folks don't like the fluching... and others like me do not have a problem with flushing.

Never know until you try. :)

like me do not have a problem with flushing.

Hi,

just wondering if you don't GET the flushing in the first place, or you don't MIND the flushing? :D

My girlfriend and I were discussing Niacin just yesterday. She is inclined to give it a try for her high cholesterol (just diagnosed with diabetes), because she does not have a fortune to spend on the statins. She needs to see good results. Any advice I can pass on to her? I told her about a prescription version I'd heard about on this forum and that it is costly. What would be the best one to take of the OTC types>? I would imagine she''d hate to deal with the flushing.

Flowergirl

Hey! I Flush... :D


Lenin would be the expert on over-the-counter niacin as this is what he takes.



I pay thru the nose for insurance, so I like take full advantage of prescription meds... :)

A glass of wine or beer is great for increasing HDL plus it's really great for your attitude. ;) Note that really low fat diets are known to drop HDL along with TC and HDL. Adding good fats like olive oil or canola can raise it. use sparingly or you'll increase something else....your waistline.:D

So taking olive oil is good for us people that need to raise HDL? Man I am really depressed my HDL is so low to start off with..how the hell am I going to get it to 50 from 35. It seems impossible.

Including drug therapy like Niaspan, eating things like walnuts and olive oil are helpful. You should also exercise and have small amounts of red wine.

Raising HDL is not the same as lowering LDL. What I mean by that is, you can drop LDL numbers very rapidly with statin drugs but raising HDL takes time. If you start taking Niaspan, expect small victories from 0-24 months. HDL will "creep up" over time. =)

[removed]

gives free supply and a cookbook from AHA.

Flushing---it is what it is with Niacin.

Flushing---it is what it is with Niacin

She'll either have to to pay$$$, or flush. :D

She wants to try a modified diet first, with Niacin; and cut out the booze (restricting alcohol is for her diabetes). Statins will be only a last resort if nothing else works. Thanks for all your tips!

Flowergirl

by FlowergirlL: I told her about a prescription version I'd heard about on this forum and that it is costly. What would be the best one to take of the OTC types>? I would imagine she''d hate to deal with the flushing.

She'll either have to to pay$$$, or flush.

There is a middle ground. Vitamin stores sell timed-release or slow-niacin or extended-relief...all terms for compounding that slows the reslease of niacin. THese can run from cheap through reasonable through $$$$...so the good shopper wins here. All are a lot cheaper than Rx Niaspan. I found a ton of 250 mg. Niacin Time-Release 250 mg. 100tablets each in a bin in a Dollar store (Jacks, NYC)...needless to say I bought a BUNCH.

Just tell her to avoid NIACINAMIDE...that doesn't work.
But first DO have her try REGULAR Niacin...maybe she will luck out and be a
"non-flusher" rather than a "FOUR FLUSHER":D!

Lutheran

Worry not; the lipitor and zetia will bump you up over 40 and that will be aok because your LDL will probably be under 100.