Niacin – a.k.a vitamin B3 – the neglected broad spectrum cholesterol drug!
Niacin - vitamin B3 - when taken in high dose acts as a powerful cholesterol drug. Niacin is unique among all available cholesterol drugs because it has beneficial effects across the entire lipid/lipoprotein spectrum, including the three components of atherogenic dyslipidemia.
Drug / Supplement |
LDL |
HDL |
Triglycerides
|
Niacin
|
↓ 5-25% |
↑ 15-35% |
↓ 20-50% |
Fish oil
|
↓ 6% to ↑ 25% |
↓ 5% to ↑ 7% |
↓ 19-44% |
Statins
|
↓ 18-55% |
↑ 5-15% |
↓ 7-30% |
Fibrates
|
↓ 5% to ↑ 20% |
↑ 10-20% |
↓ 20-50% |
Bile acid sequestrants
|
↓ 15-30% |
↑ 3-5% |
↑ 0-10% |
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors
|
↓ 13-15% |
↑ 3-5% |
↓ 5-11% |
Unique benefit of niacin – reduction of Lipoprotein(a), a.k.a. Lp(a)
Niacin’s non-lipid effects - further health benefits
Niacin improves erectile function!
Niacin reduces heart attacks, strokes and mortality!
Summary
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