Now that statins have proven to be so effective in lowering blood levels of harmful LDL cholesterol, more and more attention is being directed at raising levels of protective HDL cholesterol.
Vitamin B3, or niacin, is the most effective drug for raising HDL cholesterol, and it also lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Several types of niacin preparations are available, but the best choice is the prescription drug Niaspan.
Niaspan is taken only at bedtime, unlike crystalline niacin products, which must be taken three times a day. Niaspan is also associated with fewer side effects, especially the troublesome flushing that frequently occurs shortly after taking a dose of niacin.
Even Niaspan, however, can cause flushing, and so people may be tempted to buy products advertised as “no-flush” niacin. These advertisers are correct: Their products do not cause flushing. What they fail to mention though is that their no-flush niacins don’t work. That is, they do not raise HDL cholesterol or lower LDL cholesterol or triglycerides.
If you are troubled by niacin-induced flushing, you can usually prevent it by taking one adult tablet of regular aspirin about 30 minutes before the niacin dose.
Niacin can be purchased over the counter, but you should only take this drug under the supervision of a physician because it can cause adverse effects much more serious than flushing, such as gout and damage to the liver and stomach.
A physician must be involved to make certain you do not take niacin if you are at increased risk for these harmful effects. Your doctor can also provide regular monitoring for early evidence of their possible development.
