[Brandybux]

Niacin is easily and abundantly available in 500mg and 1000mg capsules. A daily dose of 3000mg is very effective in raising the good cholesterol. Statins work on the bad cholesterol, to bring it down. In combination, statins and high dose niacin are dynomite for cholesterol control.

The problem, of course, is that a high dose of niacin produces a bad side-effect in about two-thirds of those who try to use it. Fortunately, I'm in the one-third that tolerates it well, though I had to ramp to to that dose (3000mg) over a period of a couple of months.

Google these words to get further information: niacin cholesterol

[Innovative]

Thanks for the info.

I guess it’s ability to raise good cholesterol levels is what helps heart disease, which is what they mention in the article, but without the details.

[Secret Agent Man]

nicin will increase your lifespan, so much of it is broken down in the cells for dna repair and cellular energy.

[Ragnar54]

I suggest that you consider another search:

liver damage from niacin

One article in particular is:

LiverTox

The article contains a case history:

"Key Points

Medication: Niacin (4.5 grams daily)
Pattern: Hepatocellular (R=24)
Severity: 3+ (jaundice, hospitalization)
Latency: 6 months
Recovery: 4 days for symptoms, 49 days for ALT
Other medications: None" (The article includes a table of blood chemistry values at various stages.)

Various articles I have read claim that sustained release niacin is the most dangerous form. One theory is that the liver has a better chance of recovering from a once daily assault.

I personally take about 300 mg of niacin (not sustained release) with other vitamins every day. I also try to keep to a Zone diet and take 2 tsp of fish oil daily. My most recent results are:

Triglycerides: 63
HDL: 79
LDL: 85

My other blood chemistry values are in the normal range (no suggestion of liver damage).

[dangerdoc]

Niacin sounds like a no brainer, it does elevate good cholesterol so adding it to a statin should dramatically improve risk.

Unfortunately, the only research I’ve seen in the matter shows Niacin + statin is no better than the statin alone.