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Cholesterol - Niacin
QUESTION:
I
have been strugling with high cholesterol formerly borderline
- now high for years. I was using Red Rice Yeast & since
I stopped taking it (approximately a year ago) I have noticed
that my cholesterol is not only high it is really high -
total count 322 according to the test run on Monday. I just
recently started taking 500 mg of Niacin - non-flush - which
I have read is the single most effective for lowering cholesterol.
I also use Lipo-tropics, milk thistle & gugulgum & have
been using them for probably 3 months. Is this a matter of
patience & time - since I know natural remedies take
longer to work; or should I re-add red rice yeast to my dietary
supplements? I really do not want to use statin drugs - my
brother had congestive heart failure & my mother had
problems with statins - therefore, I am extremely wary of
using them. I also suffer from Fibromyalgia - so I do not
need the possibility of more pain added. I would appreciate
your input. Thank you. Rosemarie
ANSWER: Dear
Rosemarie,
Thanks for your email. You are on the right track. Niacin
does help to raise the good HDL Cholesterol, but does
not reduce total Choleterol significantly. I
have found that Lipotropics and Gugul do not work very
well. I recommend getting back on a Red Yeast Rice product
or Policosanol. For more information about these two
supplements, please click
here.
Best
in health, Dr.
Hansen
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