Niacin and Lowering Cholesterol

Large doses of niacin (as nicotinic acid, but not the niacinamide form) are prescribed to combat high blood pressure and to broadly improve blood cholesterol levels. Niacin is used to treat high Cholesterol because of its unique ability to improve lipid profiles for ApoB, LDL, small dense LDL, HDL, HDL2b – an extremely good cholesterol, Lp(a), fibrinogen and trigycerides. Pharmacologic doses of niacin (1.5 to 6 grams/day in divided doses) typically reduce LDL cholesterol levels by 10 to 25 percent and triglyceride levels by 20 to 50 percent. HDL cholesterol levels are also typically increased by 15 to 35 percent. An esterified, no-flush derivative of niacin called Inositol hexanicotinate (IHN), is slowly hydrolyzed and has no reported side effects using 4 grams daily. Peak blood concentrations have been reported to be at 10 hours, but suggested dosing is at least 4 times a day. It is used extensively in Europe for Raynaud’s disease. There is no known monotherapeutic treatment for high cholesterol that is more broadly effective and as gentle.

Inositol Hexanicotinate

Flush-free niacin may lower cholesterol while boosting the beneficial HDL fraction. In a report on the antiatherogenic role of HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol, flush-free niacin (inositol hexanicotinate) “appears to have the greatest potential to increase HDL cholesterol [by] 30%.” This study was made over a 5-year period and focused on the effect of high LDL numbers exhibited before a patient’s first coronary event(s). As reported in a November 1998 American Journal of Cardiology research study, “Nicotinic acid (niacin) has been shown to decrease triglyceride, increase HDL cholesterol, lower LDL cholesterol, and decrease lipoprotein (a); it also decreases fibrinogen,” an additional benefit that reduces the risk of related cardiovascular disease.

Niacin in Lipidshield?

LipidShield plus combines the power of niacin with 5 other active ingredients in a breakthrough formula to lower cholesterol levels. The niacin used in LipidShield, known as “flush free” niacin, allows your body’s enzymes to gradually release the niacin over time to avoid the flushing response often associated with niacin and niacin side effects.