subject: Niacin to Lower Triglycerides - Some Things You Should Really Know [print this page] Niacin to Lower Triglycerides - Some Things You Should Really Know
If you are on the lookout for treatments for high triglyceride levels, most likely you have come across the possibility of niacin to lower triglycerides. Niacin or Nicotinic acid, to begin with, is one of the B vitamins that plays a crucial role in the diet. Apparently, Niacin is needed by the body, which makes it all the more so necessary to source it from products where it can be found in abundance, such as wheat germ and dairy products as well as yeast.
The function of Niacin does not just begin and end in the diet. It has another very important role, and that is to lower triglycerides. Indeed, many studies have already pinpointed the correlation between niacin and triglyceride levels. Even better, niacin has been found to lower bad cholesterol levels and increase levels of the good cholesterol, too.
Such discoveries have led scientists and chemists to create tablets formulated with niacin to lower triglycerides. Accordingly, Niacin works even better than statin drugs in treating high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. However, like most triglyceride-reducing agents, Niacin also comes with side effects, though they are often of lesser severity. Still, if you require high doses of Niacin daily, severe liver damage is almost unavoidable. This, therefore, does not give you the liberty to use Niacin without the proper guidance.
You can ask your doctor about Niacin, and most likely, he will recommend Niaspan, especially if your daily requirement exceeds 500 mg. Niaspan is regulated, meaning, you cannot buy it over-the-counter, so you will need your doctor to write a prescription for you. There is another type of Niacin and that is in the form of immediate release nicotinic acid. It's a lot cheaper and can be readily bought even without doctor's prescription. Then again, many have reported experiencing severe flushing sensations which are not only uncomfortable but annoying as well. The usual advice to relieve the flushing sensations is to take aspirin half an hour before you take Niacin.
Of course, it wouldn't be sensible to depend solely on medications to lower triglycerides. You should begin to effect changes to your diet and lifestyle, too, knowing full well that these raise triglyceride levels. In particular, you should avoid sweets, oily foods, foods that are deep fried, and those with no or very little nutritional value. Unfortunately, this may prove to be easier said than done, taking into consideration, the convenience of buying takeouts and eating ready-to-eat meals at fast food chains.
Still, you have to be determined to resist the temptation and to eat, instead, more vegetables, fish, and fiber-rich foods. The greeniest and the leafiest vegetables, prepared raw, steamed or boiled, are rich in fiber and nutrients, and they have triglyceride-lowering properties, too. Fish is a good source of protein and Omega-3 fatty acids that have been linked to good heart health.
If you are on the heavy side, losing weight can also help lower triglycerides. To lose weight effectively, you need to exercise on a regular basis. However, before beginning an exercise program, get clearance from your doctor, first. To sum up in a single sentence, you can use Niacin to lower triglycerides, but supplement it with the right diet and exercise.
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