I don't have high cholesterol, but my HDL remains low even though I jog (not a lot but I do about 3x a week), and eating right. My doctor just says keep exercising.


How much niacin do you have to take to raise your HDL levels, is 500mg 2x a day good is it better to have it 1000mg 2x a day? What's the impact on your level?

thanks

1000 mg a day will raise your HDL about 10 points. It's good to start low and you can work your way up. Try 1000 mg a day for about 2 months and then have your Cholesterol tested again. I'm sure you will notice a difference. My HDL has gone up about 15 points in the past few years, but my Total and LDL are not low enough. If I watched my diet more the Total and LDL would definitely be better. My HDL always remains good despite my diet. The LDL and Total are not as forgiving.

Try 1000 mg a day for about 2 months . .

Ace, start with 1000 mg. of Niacin a day! Did you actually do this?! I think that is way too high a dose to start unless you are talking about non-flush Niacin. I know people who have rushed to their doctor or the ER because they didn't understand the ramp up method and took a large dose of Niacin straight away. The flushing effect can be intense and that is why the recommendation is to start with a very small dose, like 1/4 of a 150 mg. tablet, and slowly increase the dosage as the flushing decreases.

jen - I think it was more of a general question being asked regarding the dosage of Niacin to raise HDL. The information was not meant to be specific regarding dosage. Prescription NIASPAN is started at pretty high dosages of 500 mg a day, but this is only under medical supevision.

Hey ACE, when you say about 10 points, is that 10 points a month?

Lets say my HDL is around ~30. So after 3 months, it should be around ~60?

(of course theres lots of other factors to consider but generally speaking)

there are many other supplements you can take also. niacin 500mg 2x/day is fine. You can also take fish oil 1000mg 3-6x/day. Plant sterols, COQ10, flax oil. any of these are good choices.

The Dr. has my DH taking the non flush niacin to lower his cholesterol.

Jill

Hey ACE, when you say about 10 points, is that 10 points a month?

Lets say my HDL is around ~30. So after 3 months, it should be around ~60?

(of course theres lots of other factors to consider but generally speaking)


No - I wish it could go up 10 points a month. A total of about 10 points is what you can expect. This happens rather quickly also, if you take niacin everyday. As you increase the dosage, the HDL will increase even more. It is not unusual to hear of increases of more than 20 points. There is no medication or supplement currently available better than Niacin to raise HDL to such high levels. Keep in mind that Niacin improves the entire lipid panel with the added benefits of lowering CRP (inflammation), increasing circulation, clearing plaque from the arteries, lowering blood pressure, removing toxins from the system (the flush feeling) and current research in possible cancer prevention. Niacin is considered by many researchers to be an adaptagen, similar to the herb Ginseng. This means that Niacin tries to adjust and regulate your cholesterol levels to what it considers healthy. It may raise your Total and LDL cholesterol and lower/raise your triglycerides, if they are too high or low. The adaptagen theory is true with the herb Ginseng, which can also lower cholesterol, improve circulation and balance all body functions. Niacin like all other supplements and medications when dosages are high enough can also have it's share of side effects including dry skin, fatigue, vision problems and with the time release products, liver damage.

Time-release products causes liver damage? I have Niacin bottles that say "sustained release" I guess I shouldn't take that.

My cholestrol levels have always been low, but my HDL has always been 30 to 40. But the ratio just barely makes it acceptable...

Yes - Almost all the cases of liver failure and damage comes from the timed/sustained release products. This information is readily available if you search it out. With Immediate release Niacin, dosages as high as 20,000 mg + a day did not cause liver damage when used for psychiatric purposes.

good news my labs came back with a HDL of 63! finally!! And its even funnier is that my niacin came in the mail today too, I guess I won't be needing it afterall :cool:

good news my labs came back with a HDL of 63! finally!! And its even funnier is that my niacin came in the mail today too, I guess I won't be needing it afterall :cool:

Great Stophy.... Keep doing whatever your doing... HDL of 63 is fantastic...
What's your secret????

Great Stophy.... Keep doing whatever your doing... HDL of 63 is fantastic...
What's your secret????

I don't really eat bad foods at all, maybe once in a while but mostly my diet is good. I eat plain oatmeal in the morning, gives me a lot of energy.

I jog and walk at least 3x a week, and even more if the weather is nicer. I play basketball too. But everything depends on nice the weather is lol.

I never had high cholesterol but my HDL has always been like 20s to upper 30s. And it took some time for it to get pass the 40 mark.

Exercise raises HDL. So if your exercise habits vary seasonally, your HDL levels may vary seasonally as well.

I don't really eat bad foods at all, maybe once in a while but mostly my diet is good. I eat plain oatmeal in the morning, gives me a lot of energy.

I jog and walk at least 3x a week, and even more if the weather is nicer. I play basketball too. But everything depends on nice the weather is lol.

I never had high cholesterol but my HDL has always been like 20s to upper 30s. And it took some time for it to get pass the 40 mark.

An HDL jump to 63 from levels in the 20's and 30's is a great achievement....

yup it took long enough too