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.
Lower Cholesterol Effectively – Zetia Versus Niacin
It often feels like pharmaceutical companies often get wrapped up in dollar signs and forget the bottom-line reason for manufacturing the medication – improving your health. A study compared the effectiveness of Niacin versus Zetia.
The study
The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine this past November 2009. Researchers analyzed the effect of extended-release niacin and ezetimibe (Zetia) on LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels.
Triglycerides and Baked Goods
A subscriber to The Heart of Health submitted the following question.
Question: “Your article [How to Lower Triglycerides] suggests avoiding baked goods. Is it possible for a more detailed explanation of “baked goods”? Does this pertain to store-bought baked goods w/ sugar, or does it also apply to home-baked such as bread machine output w/ minimal sugar – and that being honey? Are you referring to the sugar itself, or the conversion to sugar of a carbohydrate? Information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.”
Answer: In this case, the definition of baked goods includes cookies, cakes, and pastries regardless of whether or not the product was store bought or home-made. Both will have an impact on triglyceride levels due to sugar content.
Dr. Houston Answers Your Top Heart Health Questions – Part 4
All right, this is the final series of questions and answers from my interview with Dr. Mark Houston in February 2010.
Lisa Nelson RD: Does grape seed really help lower blood pressure?
Dr. Houston: Yes, systolic blood pressure is reduced about 8 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure 5 mm Hg. It is in the formulas mentioned above.
Lisa Nelson RD: What causes of an enlarged heart and are there ways to reverse an enlarged heart?
Micronutrient Lab Work and Comprehensive Lipid Profiles – International Options
A subscriber to The Heart of Health submitted the following question.
“Just came across your excellent article dated July 20, 2009 @ 08:00 about [coenzyme Q10 blood tests]. Your article mentions having tests, but I live in Ireland and there are no tests available. The Health Food shops just sell the product without any ref. to getting a test and as I would view it as a very important supplement I think it is this kind of ill-informed sales that leave the alternative therapies wide open to attack by the Medical Profession. Can you advise / recommend procedure for getting tests from here.”
The lab I have used and recommend for micronutrient testing and comprehensive lipid profiles is SpectraCell Laboratories. I contacted SpectraCell to see if they provide services outside the US. The answer is yes. Your physician may request a lab collection kit from SpectraCell and submit the blood draw . . . even from Ireland!
There are more lab facilities than Spectra Cell that complete comprehensive lipid profiles. SpectraCell is the one I am familiar with. Also, another lab work option is a VAP (vertical auto profile) test. Discuss with your physician.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps
http://www.lowercholesterolwithlisa.com
Dr. Houston Answers Your Top Heart Health Questions – Part 3
Here’s another four questions with answers from my interview with Dr. Mark Houston in February 2010.
Lisa Nelson RD: If someone has been on blood pressure medication for many years and they take steps to lose weight and improve their diet is it likely they’ll be able to discontinue their medication or will they be on medications for life?
Dr. Houston: About a 60% of patients that follow the guidelines in the book that I wrote on What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Hypertension can stop meds over 6-12 months if they do everything correct as outlined.
Lisa Nelson RD: If someone is newly diagnosed with high blood pressure, how much time should be allowed if the individual prefers to make diet and lifestyle changes to lower the blood pressure before turning to medication?
Dr. Houston: I recommend getting the blood pressure down soon with both meds and lifestyle changes to protect the arteries and reduce cardiovascular disease based on some recent studies. Later on, if blood pressure is controlled then you can taper the medications.
Lisa Nelson RD: Do any of the over-the-counter meds for high blood pressure and high cholesterol work – or are they just snake oil ads?
Dr. Houston: There are some good supplements that work for blood pressure and cholesterol, but most over the counter are not good. The best source is BIOTICS RESEARCH at 1-800-231-5777. For blood pressure use VASCULOSIRT. Also for blood pressure is CARDIOSIRT BP (this one will be out in the spring). These will reduce blood pressure well along with the lifestyle changes recommended in the book above. The best for cholesterols is LIPIDSIRT. It can be used with the new niacin and red yeast rice from BIOTICS if needed. This may decrease cholesterol with the combination by 40-50%.
Lisa Nelson RD: How effective do you feel the supplements l-arginine, coQ10, and omega 3 are at preventing cardiac problems?
Dr. Houston: I would use omega 3 fatty acids in almost everyone to reduce heart attack, stroke, blood pressure, improve triglycerides and improve memory. The best omega 3 fatty acid on the market is EFA-SIRT SUPREME from BIOTICS research at 1800-231-5777. The CoQ10 is excellent as well. Doses of about 100 to 200 mg of a good quality CoQ10 will lower systolic blood pressure about 15 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure about 10 mm Hg in 50% of patients. The CoQ10 is in both the VASCULOSIRT AND THE CARDIOSIRT BP from BIOTICS at 1-800-231-5777.
Part 1 – Top Heart Health Questions Answered By Dr. Houston
Part 2- Top Heart Health Questions Answered By Dr. Houston
There will be one final part to this Q&A. Sign-up for the e-course 7 Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure and you’ll also be notified when the final part is posted.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
http://www.lowerbloodpressurewithlisa.com
