Niacin confusion - High Cholesterol Message Board

PollyAnn · 09-14-2006, 08:21 AM

I apologize, as I know the 'niacin' subject has been talked about in other posts but I am at my wits end and utterly confused.

I researched Niacin, Time Released Niacin (sustained release) and No Flush Niacin.

My head is spinning from all the conflicting information so I thought I'd ask here for everyone's first hand knowledge.

I bought Solgar No Flush Niacin 500mg and the bottle says take 1 or 2 capsules daily at mealtime.

I read different suggested dosage such as you should take niacin 500mg 3 times a day with meals for 2 weeks then 10000mg (2-500mg) -2 times a day for 2 weeks and then 1000mg 3 times a day for 2 weeks, then 1000mg - 2 times a day for another two weeks?????? I guess this can be true to let your body adjust to it.

And I know some here take Niacin on an ongoing daily routine. I read Niacin should ONLY be taken for 6-12 weeks then discontinued? And does all three formulas’ of Niacin work the same way?

Thanks for any input given!

PollyAnn

BamaC · 09-14-2006, 02:22 PM

pollyann, I hope you get lots of replies because I, too, am confused. After searching the net for a couple of weeks, I decided to go with inositol hexaniacinate (flush-free niacin). Ran across some dr. (don't remember who) who recommended starting with one 500mg. daily for one week, then two 500mg. daily for another week, and finally three 500mg. capsules daily thereafter. Some of the sites I found claimed there were fewer side effects with the flush-free and some said not enough was known one way or another. I did find that it has been used successfully in Europe for 70 or 80 yrs. Also there was confusion about inositol hexanicotinate and inositol hexaniacinate. Both are flush-free niacin. Some sites said they were slightly different in that they both lower cholesterol but had other, different, benefits as well. On the other hand, some said they were the same, and some said it was called inositol hexanicotinate in Britain and inositol hexaniacinate in U.S.

PollyAnn · 09-14-2006, 03:50 PM

Oh BamaC I hope we both get replies also. I know we really won't know if it helps or not until we do lab work but how are you feeling using the flush free niacin?

I have always taken a lot of supplements - some I can't even pronounce but never had any interest in Niacin because it scares the life out of me with all the side effects people can have. And for that reason I never paid much mind to knowing anything about it.

I've been taking the No Flush Niacin for about a week now with not one side effect and I think an increase will be fine with me. I would just like to hear from others on how much they increased and if it worked or not. Also, how is it that people take it on a daily basis when it said to become harmful after long term use? I wonder if it's a certain type of niacin that can be used long term?

I'm a big research type person and I have never been found anything else as confusing as Niacin. Gezz, I hope somehow I get some sort of benefit from it.

PollyAnn

BamaC · 09-15-2006, 02:00 PM

PollyAnn, just got my flush-free and will start it tomorrow. You're right. Only the labs will show if it works for us. I plan to get tested in Dec. How much are you taking now? I'm hoping we hear from someone who has actually tried this stuff. Anyway, good luck to us both

PollyAnn · 09-16-2006, 06:02 PM

Quote:

How much are you taking now?

The first week I took 500mg 2 times a day (1,000mg/day) just as the bottle suggested. I'm now into my 2nd week and taking 500mg 3 times a day (1,500mg/day). I think I'm going to stay with this dose.

To sum things up my last cholesterol test was very usually to both my doctor and myself so he wanted me to re-test a month after that to see if they come back different. Sadly, my doctor has passed away and I'm left to find a new doctor at this point.... I'm thinking of using an outside Lab and not involve any doctor. It will cost me out of pocket but less of a headache in the long run.

BamaC, I wish you the very best of luck as I will be limited on this board. I searched out and found another board with wonderful people who have offered me detailed information that I have never even heard on this board.
Sadly, we can't link others to find other boards here but I hope you search around and find all your information you need (and perhaps you will find me there also- I go buy the same name on other boards).

Best of Luck!
PollyAnn