OT: Niacin vs Cholesterol

[JeffH]

As for the flushing, the 'Slo Niacin' brand that I take usually doesn't flush because it is a slow release (though, once in a while I do get some flushing from it for about 20 minutes). Anyhow, I think there are 2 types of niacin...there is the 'slow release' and there is 'non-flush' or 'no flush' niacin. I spoke with a pharmacist about the two, and he told me that the 'non-flush' was not as good as the 'slow release'. Not sure what the difference is.

I stick with the Slo Niacin because I know it works and it's OTC. Expensive but worth it.

And my doc said just the opposite. He said the flushing was a sign that it was working. The Slo kind wasn't doing anyting. Not that I believe either are really necessary.

[taberge]

Niacin even in the smallest dose I could take didn't seem to affect my HDL but did however make me have night sweats. The night sweats went away as soon as I discontinued the niacin. I think you have to take large doses anyways to really move your HDL up. In this case, it is way more viable to increase exercise to get the better results without the pills.

[imsleepynomore]

Hubby takes niacin [slow release] and has great results ,beware niacin is also hard on the liver so you need to follow with your labs and docs advice it is much cheaper than those statins,