Niacin supplement

[Angry Irishman]

My doc suggested I start taking Niacin for high Triclycerides. I bought some today at 500 mg dose and a couple hours after taking it I felt like I was on fire.

What are opinions on Niacin and anything to do to lesson the flash that comes with it?

I already take 3000 mg of fish oil and I'm seeing improvements. Do I need Niacin? ......thoughts?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

If you're taking 3000mg of fish oil, that means you're taking 3 fish oil pills, right? How much EPA and DHA does each pill contain? You may not be taking enough for effects on cholesterol or triglycerides.

Also, that is a common side effect of niacin. I've heard it gets better as you take it consistently.

What are your triglyceride levels currently? Also, how about your activity levels? Taking fish oil and niacin is way better than taking a statin in the long run so I'd consider what you can to avoid that.

 

[chin311]

Yeah what are your levels? Funny I just got back my blood work & my cholesterol is slightly high, I believe my tri- were 153. I rarely exercise, but have started running/walking again a few miles a day. Hopefully I can get the # down!

@sociallychallenged, what's the amount of fish oil you should take for it to have an effect? I'm currently taking these http://www.amazon.com/Kirkland-Sign...=UTF8&qid=1368482791&sr=8-6&keywords=Fish+oil

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Yeah what are your levels? Funny I just got back my blood work & my cholesterol is slightly high, I believe my tri- were 153. I rarely exercise, but have started running/walking again a few miles a day. Hopefully I can get the # down!

@sociallychallenged, what's the amount of fish oil you should take for it to have an effect? I'm currently taking these http://www.amazon.com/Kirkland-Signa...words=Fish+oil

For cholesterol, I've seen ranges of like 1.5g of DHA/EPA to over 2g. I personally take 2.1g because 1) there are more benefits for taking fish oil than just helping control cholesterol and 2) the higher dose studies seem to have better evidence of change. One big thing to get triglycerides down (and to improve cholesterol skew overall) is cardiovascular exercise. It is also dose-dependent - the more endurance work you do, the more effect it has on those blood values... so get moving

 

[alkemyst]

slow release niacin is a bit better for flush/hot feeling.

There is a lot of differences in fish oils...Lovaza is a prescription-based formula yielding 380mg DHA, 470mg EPA and 170mg other fish oils...a common dosage is 2 capsules per day.

I was on it, but it gave me 'fish burps' so I switched to OTC brands without the burps.

My levels have been very good. I take 9 capsules (3 capsules 3x a day) of 1200mg (~350-400mg Omega 3) and 500mg flush-free Niacin.

 

[brainhulk]

prescription Niaspan and it's kinetics is supposedly better for the liver.

you can take a baby aspirin 30 min prior to the niaspan to mitigate flushing