An Old Cholesterol Remedy Is New Again

NY Times ^ | January 23, 2007 | MICHAEL MASON

[perfect stranger]

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

Just read that Anyone taking more than 1000 mg. (1 gram) of niacin or inositol hexanicotinate per day should have their liver enzymes checked regularly.

Other side-effects here and here.

[Welsh Rabbit]

I recently started adding flaxseed meal to oatmeal (I'm trying to make a habit of eating breakfast, which I've never in the past). Is flaxseed oil better than the flaxseed meal?

[neverdem]

I was put on a cholesterol lowering drug that contained niacin. The second dose put me in the E.R. with a full blown allergic reaction to the niacin and since that episode I have been treated for high blood pressure.

It sounds like a combination that included niacin which is a vitamin. What makes you think it wasn't the other component? Niacin deficiency is called pellagra.

[neverdem]

Ahh, another reminder of why I didn't go into primary care.

What do you do?

[goodnesswins]

Are you a follower of Dr. Johanna Budwig?

[DannyTN]

Thanks pointy_head

Anyone taking supplements should always read up on the side effects.

Atkins did make a comment about some of the side effects of niacin could be avoided by taking the other B vitamins with it. That they work best as a group instead of an individual treatment.

[shield]

Yes, I understand it is. You've got to get the omega 3 in your cells. The only way that happens is with Flaxseed Oil and cottage cheese. When this happens the cell is recharged and many many great things occurs throughout your body along with strengthening the heart and if there is any heart damage over time it'll heal. You'll find that oil in health food stores and some grocery stores...must be kept cold so you'll find it in a refrigerated unit.

It does not have to be eaten at breakfast...anytime...

[BunnySlippers]

The first time you take niacin your body will flush ... you will feel hot. In time that completely disappears.

[shield]

Yes...but many many today have gotten hold of it. Before this became popular...I was doing it. And she was the one I got that info from. Followed her diet for several yrs too. She helped to change my way of eating...which has been a blessing for sure.

[GoldCountryRedneck]

The only way that happens is with Flaxseed Oil ...

Good call. I lowered my cholestral by 50 points (so far). My doctor had prescribed Lipitor.....but my 77 y.o. Mother said "Bulls**t!" .... and handed me a bottle of flaxseed capsules....

Morale: "Mother knows best!" :)

[shield]

Try buying Flaxseed Oil in liquid form then take 3 tablespoons in cottage cheese a day. That cholesterol will go down a lot faster and your numbers will be a lot lower...and the omega 3 will actually get into the cells. The flaxseed oil in caps mostly goes right straight through without getting much if any in the cells. Doc Budwig worked for yrs to find a way to get omega 3 in cells that's the way. And yes many times Mom's know best...

[Trillian]

Ping.

[em2vn]

Because, since that event I get pretty red from eating foodstuffs containing niacin.

[Panzerfaust]

The drug company Merck is currently developing an anti-flushing agent that is combined with the niacin, to eliminate that side-effect. Longer term, the niacin/anti-flushing agent will be combined with generic Zocor (simvastatin) in a combination tablet.

[Monti Cello]

flaxseed oil in cottage cheese will correct the problem...

If that's the cure, I think I'd rather have the problem.

[Grizzled Bear]

Isn't that in Vegamite that they eat in Australia? I've heard of that causing flushing.
______________________________________________________

No. Prunes cause flushing.

[Fairview]

My God, the whining on this thread about flushing--! You men are wimpls. If I only flushed and got red in the face when I took niacin, instead of all the time, I'd be thrilled.

[alicewonders]

I had a heart surgeon tell me once that you can reduce triglycerides by cutting back on carbohydrates.

I am taking an Anatomy & Physiology class right now & our instructor told us that very same thing. He said it's junk carbs, not fats, that cause bad cholesterol to increase. He also said that cholesterol lowering medicines can lower levels too much & that the body needs cholesterol in the right quantities to function properly.

[stillafreemind]

I think you're right alice..I have read this also. I think people can get into trouble when they take the fats out of their diet.

The more natural the food..the better the body will like it and respond accordingly. Our food today is not a "benefit" to our bodies..we need to get back to a more natural way of eating. Just my 2!