If there are any diabetics out there who are searching for an alternative to statin drug treatment or are simply interested in improving their overall blood lipid profile, you still may be able to incorporate a suitable niacin supplement into your daily regimen. Inositol hexanicotinate is purported to carry all of niacin's benefits but without the risks of elevated blood sugar levels. So this would appear to be an ideal supplement for diabetic patients. My father, who has been a diabetic for 37 years, allowed his doctor to tal him into taking Zocor a couple of years ago. Well, after developing peripheral neuropathy in his foot and complaining of muscle pains, weakness, and dizziness, he finally quit taking this rotten stuff two months ago. In the meantime, at my suggestion, he began taking 1500mg of inositol hexanicotinate each day. He has been checking his blood sugar every day and has not seen any elevation in blood sugar levels, and has not experienced any side effects whatsoever. In the meantime, I was just curious whether or not anyone else has tried this version of niacin, and what your own experience has been.

Very nice but how about his liver enzymes? Niacin in large doses has been shown to damage the liver.

I don't know. He hasn't had the blood-work done yet. As I said, he has only been taking it for 2 months, and I am still in the process of acquiring as much information as I can. What I do know is that inositol hexanicotinate has been used in Europe for over 30 years to lower cholesterol. It is said to yield slightly better results than standard niacin, but is much better tolerated in terms of both flushing and long-term side effects, including effects on blood sugar control.