High Cholesterol Anyone?

**frugalfranny** · 11-04-2010, 12:29 AM

Originally Posted by 2ndGenGranola

My health food advisers have said that the stronger your niacin flush, the more you need the vitamin.

What about if you take the 'non-flush' niacin? Which is also a different type of niacin.........wonder if it works?

**2ndGenGranola** · 11-04-2010, 07:32 AM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

What about if you take the 'non-flush' niacin? Which is also a different type of niacin.........wonder if it works?

No, the niacinamide (non-flush niacin) does not have the same benefits as the niacin (Jaconello, 1992). Niacinamide is not a different type of niacin, it is just a part of niacin that does not contain the benefits nor the irritants.

**cab54** · 11-04-2010, 10:45 AM

I went to the doc recently (routine check) and found out my total chol. is better but my LDL still sucks.

(sigh)

He said since my Mom had an MI at age 69 (she's only 18 years older than me, and I'm 56 now) and had a bypass, I should try to get it down. Ummm...I have been

I'm about to give up. It is so hard to give up everything you love and still see it high. I am starting to envy people who lived a hundred years ago and just ATE and lived, and didn't fret over these things. When they died....they died. LOL!

Ah, well, pass me the oatmeal.........

**moasmom** · 11-04-2010, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by 2ndGenGranola

No, the niacinamide (non-flush niacin) does not have the same benefits as the niacin (Jaconello, 1992). Niacinamide is not a different type of niacin, it is just a part of niacin that does not contain the benefits nor the irritants.

Agreed. Also, the "non-flush" niacin, IME, is considerably more expensive than "regular" niacin. I think it makes a lot more sense in the long run to just sloooooowly ramp up your dosage of plain niacin to avoid the flush and get the full benefits (but still checking with your doctor so she can monitor your liver function at the beginning).

By the way, the flush still hits me occasionally, but it's not a big deal (just mildly uncomfortable) and goes away quickly.

Kara

**Libby** · 11-04-2010, 06:12 PM

Um....just a thought after sitting at the pharmacy waiting with dad for his RX to be filled. Anyone thought of taking Metamucil or Benefibre to help lower the cholesterol? From what I had time to read on both packages...Metamucil must be diluted in water only. Benefibre can be mixed into anything: water, juice, milk, soup, yoghurt/pudding etc. Metamucil is also psyllium fibre and Benefibre is inulin.

I guess you need to weigh the pro's/con's for your own situation. Yes increase in fibre does make you have more frequent bowel movements but is that really a bad thing if you're trying to lower your cholesterol? Small price to pay?

Just tossing that idea out there - not sure if anyone else already has.

**shoiji** · 11-04-2010, 08:46 PM

Get rid of as much processed foods you have in the house. Eat as much from scratch as you can. Designate one or two carb days where you do not worry about the amount within reason. Olive oil is also good for you. I use butter but have stopped using the fake margarines.

It will take a while to get used to a different diet. But once you do you will find you have more energy. Also include some type of exercise each day.