11 replies to this topic

[simon007]

Hi @,

I've just ordered niacin because I want to lower my cholesterol, when would be the best time of the day to take it?

Morning, noon, evening before or after diner?

Does anybody have experience with niacin time release to lower cholesterol?

Cheers,

Simon

[pycnogenol]

I take my niacin during the middle of my dinner meal. I only take immediate release niacin.

[pycnogenol]

I take also take pantethine 600 mg for cholesterol with an evening meal.

[dachshund]

Hi here is one data point regarding niacin for you to consider. I began taking 250 mg extended release niacin after reading DukeNukem's entry on his all-star supplements in this forum. The niacin I take is one half tablet of Now Brand sustained release (500 mg/tablet). I take the half tablet each evening after dinner. I started taking niacin in mid-jan 09, as the blood test results from my oct.-08 annual physical showed borderline high cholesterol. I also had a physical at work in mid-feb. 09, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to see if niacin has any effect. Unfortunately, this my experiement was not designed well as I changed two variables at once. I began taking niacin and ate at least half a cup of oatmeal every morning for 30 days before my work physical. Anyway, here are the results:

Male
Age: 45
BMI: 25

Oct. 2008
total chol. = 207
triglyc.'s = 92
HDL = 46
LDL = 142

Feb. 2009
total chol. = 193
triglyc.'s = 130
HDL = 44
LDL = 123

This is just for your consideration, as my total cholesterol did go down into the "safe" range which was good.

[pycnogenol]

Hi dachshund,

Thanks for posting your results. Have you ever taken pantethine?

I just started taking pantethine since I'm slightly above 200. Along with diet and regular exercise I hope to get below 200.

Edited by pycnogenol, 28 February 2009 - 06:27 PM.

[simon007]

Thanks for the tips,
I've started taking niacin a week ago. I'll let you all know how it worked out.

Cheers,

Simon

[nameless]

I hope everyone realizes that total cholesterol is pretty much a meaningless number. So getting your cholesterol below 200 so it's 'normal' really doesn't tell you a whole lot.

VAP or other lipoprotein tests are what you want to get, not the regular cholesterol test. The VAP, for instance, is not only more accurate, but will show particle sizes, Lp(a), IDL, etc.

In the post above, the Feb. 2009 may not be better than the previous one. Yes, total cholesterol went down, but triglycerides went up, which could mean the LDL of 123 has shifted more to small particle size (the dangerous sort). While previously, the LDL at 142 may have been all large, due to lower triglycerides. Without lipoprotein testing, you'll never know which reading was actually better.

And as for the original question, evenings would probably be the best time to take the niacin. And after (or during) a meal, if flushing is an issue.

Edited by nameless, 19 March 2009 - 07:45 PM.

[JLL]

I hope everyone realizes that total cholesterol is pretty much a meaningless number. So getting your cholesterol below 200 so it's 'normal' really doesn't tell you a whole lot.

VAP or other lipoprotein tests are what you want to get, not the regular cholesterol test. The VAP, for instance, is not only more accurate, but will show particle sizes, Lp(a), IDL, etc.

In the post above, the Feb. 2009 may not be better than the previous one. Yes, total cholesterol went down, but triglycerides went up, which could mean the LDL of 123 has shifted more to small particle size (the dangerous sort). While previously, the LDL at 142 may have been all large, due to lower triglycerides. Without lipoprotein testing, you'll never know which reading was actually better.

And as for the original question, evenings would probably be the best time to take the niacin. And after (or during) a meal, if flushing is an issue.

Exactly what I was thinking. What else did you change besides add niacin and oatmeal? Neither of those should increase triglycerides.

[mikeinnaples]

I have genetic issues with Cholesterol ....and despite my rigorous exercise and excellent diet, I was quite shocked when I had it tested for the a year ago to be 224 with low HDL. In three months time taking Simvastatin 25mg, 4g Omega 3's, and 1g Niacin (nicotinic acid split in 2 - 500mg doses one in am and one in pm) I lowered my total cholesterol to 144 while increasing my HDL 16 points and dropping my risk to 1/2. I didnt change diet or exercise ...(though I did add other supplements, but not strictly for cholesterol). I have maintained TC within 2-4pts and HDL within 1-2pts a year later.

[Lufega]

I just took 80,000 heat units of cayenne by NOW foods with 100 mg niacin and this combo. greatly enhanced the flush effect. It started with an interesting warming effect centered in my head followed later by the flushing effect but it was different. It was a combo of flush plus heat...interesting.

[simon007]

Hi @,

I've just ordered niacin because I want to lower my cholesterol, when would be the best time of the day to take it?

Morning, noon, evening before or after diner?

Does anybody have experience with niacin time release to lower cholesterol?

Cheers,

Simon

Here are the results after 2 1/2 months of niacin.
09-02-2009
LDL :4,1
HDL:1,7
try-gliceride:1,1
total:6,3

22-05-2009
LDL :3,5
HDL:1,7
try-gliceride:0,7
total:5,5

[Lufega]

Niacin gave me petechias. I only got to 300 mg at nighttime. Guess my blood vessels are weaker than I thought...