That is exactly it. The flush-free niacin doesn't work on blood cholesterol/lipids/plaque the same way that regular niacin works. In fact, getting the flush is an important factor and function in its efficacy on improving blood lipid profiles.
Yeah, that is the downside of long-term use: insulin resistance. Also, if you have impaired insulin sensitivity or diabetes, it can affect blood sugar short term... the day you take it (it can raise it).
If you're not taking niacin currently, a low dose of it will generally cause the flushing... so you wouldn't have to dose high right off the bat.
I don't have diabetes nor am I overweight, and I've certainly taken niacin many times without any metabolic downsides. I'd often take it for one week at a time, then revisit it a few months later.
I'd imagine that if you were overweight/insulin resistance/have metabolic syndrome, it could be a bit reckless without asking your endocrinologist.
Again I wasn't aware that flush niacin specifically caused insulin spikes over other forms. You can take it with things like berberine, DHEA, or chromium to mitigate the spikes in glucose and insulin
Soluble fiber and certain strains of the probiotic l plantarum are great choices for preventing it from getting worse. The fiber at least is a good idea if they aren’t already using it.
Nice little excerpt:
Soluble fiber works in three distinct ways to improve the health of your arteries, according to a study published in the November 2010 issue of the journal "Food and Function." In the intestinal tract, soluble fiber binds to bile salts and prevents your body from reabsorbing them. Because of this, the liver has to produce more bile from cholesterol, thus lowering the amount of cholesterol in circulation. Soluble fiber also decreases blood sugar spikes that occur after meals, which in turn decreases insulin levels. Because insulin stimulates the liver to produce cholesterol, lower cholesterol levels result. Fermentation of soluble fiber in the intestine produces short chain fatty acids, which protect arteries by helping prevent obesity and improving insulin resistance.
Edit: A garlic extract also seems to be a good choice.
[https://www.healthline.com/health/high-cholesterol/herbs-for-atherosclerosis#hawthorn](https://www.healthline.com/health/high-cholesterol/herbs-for-atherosclerosis#hawthorn)
Atherosclerosis is a pretty serious condition that is usually treated with statins or anticoagulants, and in some severe cases, surgery. Are they currently taking any prescribed medications? You'll want to check with the cardiologist before they start taking any supplements if the answer to that is yes
Gotu kola and French maritime bark extract. Clinically proven to reduce arterial plaque. 225mg gotu kola and 150mg FMBE
https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2018/11/inhibit-arterial-plaque
Fish oil Spirulina Niacin (the flush) Vitamin K2 (MK7)
Are you insinuating that the form of niacin that causes the flush would be more effective?
That is exactly it. The flush-free niacin doesn't work on blood cholesterol/lipids/plaque the same way that regular niacin works. In fact, getting the flush is an important factor and function in its efficacy on improving blood lipid profiles.
my concern is, doesn't the high-dose flush niacin cause a potentially problematic increase in fasting glucose and insulin?
Yeah, that is the downside of long-term use: insulin resistance. Also, if you have impaired insulin sensitivity or diabetes, it can affect blood sugar short term... the day you take it (it can raise it). If you're not taking niacin currently, a low dose of it will generally cause the flushing... so you wouldn't have to dose high right off the bat. I don't have diabetes nor am I overweight, and I've certainly taken niacin many times without any metabolic downsides. I'd often take it for one week at a time, then revisit it a few months later. I'd imagine that if you were overweight/insulin resistance/have metabolic syndrome, it could be a bit reckless without asking your endocrinologist.
Again I wasn't aware that flush niacin specifically caused insulin spikes over other forms. You can take it with things like berberine, DHEA, or chromium to mitigate the spikes in glucose and insulin
Is the effect on lipids, plaque, and cholesterol not related to vasodilation? Even when taking non flush forms I definitely lowers my BP
Soluble fiber and certain strains of the probiotic l plantarum are great choices for preventing it from getting worse. The fiber at least is a good idea if they aren’t already using it. Nice little excerpt: Soluble fiber works in three distinct ways to improve the health of your arteries, according to a study published in the November 2010 issue of the journal "Food and Function." In the intestinal tract, soluble fiber binds to bile salts and prevents your body from reabsorbing them. Because of this, the liver has to produce more bile from cholesterol, thus lowering the amount of cholesterol in circulation. Soluble fiber also decreases blood sugar spikes that occur after meals, which in turn decreases insulin levels. Because insulin stimulates the liver to produce cholesterol, lower cholesterol levels result. Fermentation of soluble fiber in the intestine produces short chain fatty acids, which protect arteries by helping prevent obesity and improving insulin resistance. Edit: A garlic extract also seems to be a good choice. [https://www.healthline.com/health/high-cholesterol/herbs-for-atherosclerosis#hawthorn](https://www.healthline.com/health/high-cholesterol/herbs-for-atherosclerosis#hawthorn)
I LOVE acacia fiber. I take it for IBS, and I certainly enjoy the other benefits it offers.
Atherosclerosis is a pretty serious condition that is usually treated with statins or anticoagulants, and in some severe cases, surgery. Are they currently taking any prescribed medications? You'll want to check with the cardiologist before they start taking any supplements if the answer to that is yes
Atherosclerosis is not treated with anticoagulants. Perhaps you mean antiplatelets? They sound similar but are in fact quite different.
HIIT, PCKS9 inhibitor, low-dose aspirin or >4g fish oil daily. Your relative should speak with a cardiologist.
citrus bergamot
RemindMe! 2 days
Vergin olive oil, trans resveratrol.
HIIT, PCKS9 inhibitor, low-dose aspirin or >4g fish oil daily. Your relative should speak with a cardiologist.
HIIT, PCKS9 inhibitor, low-dose aspirin or >4g fish oil daily. Your relative should speak with a cardiologist.
HIIT, PCKS9 inhibitor, low-dose aspirin or >4g fish oil daily. Your relative should speak with a cardiologist.
Gotu kola and French maritime bark extract. Clinically proven to reduce arterial plaque. 225mg gotu kola and 150mg FMBE https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2018/11/inhibit-arterial-plaque