Increase HDL Cholesterol – How Much Niacin?

A subscriber to The Heart of Health submitted the following question.

“Hello Lisa – Just read the article concerning subject matter (Zetia versus Niacin) and would appreciate knowing if there are Niacin brands and/or amount of dosage you can recommend. As information, I have taken 50 Mg of Niacin for approximately 2 years along with Vytorin, and my Cardiologist is very happy with my blood results and other testing. Thank you very much.”

Recommended dosage for niacin varies drastically from 50-3,000 mg per day. So, you are on the right track working with your physician to determine what level is best for you. In the study you reference above, the niacin level prescribed was 2000 mg per day. Dr. Stephan Sinatra reports in his book Reverse Heart Disease Now that he typically finds 1500-2000 mg enough for more people to raise low HDL levels.

Niacin, like all B vitamins, is water soluble. This means it leaves the body fairly quickly. Therefore it’s best to break your niacin supplement down into two doses daily. For example, if you are taking 50 mg of niacin daily it may be more effective to do 2 – 25 mg doses per day. Also, something that is not often mentioned, niacin shouldn’t be taken without taking other B vitamins (B complex). Taking only niacin increases your risk of elevating homocysteine levels. Something to discuss with your physician. If you do take only niacin it may be worth periodically monitoring homocysteine levels.

Discuss all supplements with your physician.

All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps
http://www.lowercholesterolwithlisa.com