If Loving Nicotinic Acid is Wrong, I don't Want to be Right

[Bolt_Upright]

Interesting read on why the world (mistakenly?) turned its back on Nicotinic Acid:

Go here: The Niacin Rebirth: Revisiting the Potential of Nicotinic Acid Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease and Niacin Supplementation for Healthy Aging esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/v...

Then right under the title on the left is a link to read the PDF.

It seems people were really high on NA until Statins came along and then two really big flawed studies were performed which scared everybody away from NA. The paper also points out that Statins may cause dementia.

Also, my own opinion here, people got so wrapped up in avoiding the horrible flush (it is not horrible) that they kept making changes that made the Niacin unhelpful or worse.

"In summary:

1. NA is the best agent to raise HDL cholesterol levels, which improves reverse cholesterol transport and helps “clean the pipes.” Higher levels of HDL have been linked to increased longevity.

2. NA is one of the best agents to reduce triglycerides, part of the dyslipidemia of metabolic syndrome that is increasing in our older population.

3. NA is quite good at reducing LDL cholesterol (15% to 20%), and specifically reduces the most pathogenic small dense LDL particles and prevents oxidation of LDL, which makes LDL pathogenic.

4. NA is the only oral agent that can reduce Lp(a), a pathogenic lipoprotein associated with CVD, especially stroke in older men.

5. Beyond lipid benefits, nicotinamide (a NA metabolite) as well as the nicotinamide form of niacin (vitamin B3) are essential for intracellular energy metabolism of every cell in the body. Nicotinamide also provides critical precursors to produce stem cells, which are necessary for replacing damaged cells in the body. This function is particularly important for older individuals.

6. NA, even in low dosages (100-500 mg, 1-3 times per day) can improve renal failure and help older people avoid progression to dialysis or transplant.

7. NA and its unique ability to reduce the monocyte chemo-attractant protein A-1 helps prevent intravascular plaque formation and reduce heart attack risk of pathogenic oral flora bacteria.

8. Last, but not least, our research has shown that the wax-matrix form of controlled-release NA is not only the best NA formulation to reduce LDL cholesterol without excess flushing or other side effects, it is also one of the least expensive therapeutic options currently available."

[Bolt_Upright]

The writer of that paper has a book: The Niacin Breakthrough Paperback – July 18, 2022 by Joseph M Keenan (Author), Kathleen M Dunn (Author) amazon.com/dp/B0B5KXGM6H?ps...

You will have to wait a couple weeks to get your copy because SOMEBODY (me) bought the last copy.

[Grammy80]

😅😉🤣.....if we look long enough.......we can find anything to reinforce our thinking!!!💞

[Bolt_Upright in reply to Grammy80]

And that's okay! Considering 75% of what the medical sciences have told us over the last 60 years has been wrong, I think we have earned the right to choose the truth that resonates with us. The way my twisted mind works, success in this endeavor is unlikely, failure is bad, but failure following somebody else's plan that I don't believe in is the worst.

But don't forget this caveat: I am not a smart man.

[Grammy80 in reply to Bolt_Upright]

.......but you are wise!!!💞

PS....Yes, if I'm going down...it will be my way!!!

[Smittybear7 in reply to Bolt_Upright]

How do you know how much to take?

[Bolt_Upright in reply to Smittybear7]

I really need to do a better job of keeping track of how I get my dosages.

So they have studies that used 1000 mg and 1200 mg of NR a day: NADPARK study was 1000 mg a day and the NOPARK study were give 1000 mg a day with a 1200 mg dose in the open label follow up study.

And they had the Augusta study that used, I think, 250 mg of NA a day.

So...I started at 250 mg a day, then I read about the NOPARK study and went to 1000 mg a day about 2 years ago, and then for some reason, I don't remember why, I decided to double that to 2000 mg a day.

[Bracondale in reply to Grammy80]

Yes, confirmation bias is alive and well 😂

[CaseyInsights]

(On Niacin)

…Last, but not least, our research has shown that the wax-matrix form of controlled-release NA is not only the best NA formulation to reduce LDL cholesterol without excess flushing or other side effects, it is also one of the least expensive therapeutic options currently available.

Indeed

Doctor's Best TimeRelease Niacin with Niaxtend

(NiaXtend is a unique wax-matrix extended-release or sustained-release niacin tablet containing 500 mg of niacin.)

amazon.com/dp/B0041SFOY4?re... 🌹

[Bolt_Upright in reply to CaseyInsights]

Good point. I do note the conditional aspect of that line: "best NA formulation to reduce LDL cholesterol without excess flushing or other side effects,"

So if you really can't take the flushing or other side effects (no idea what those are), then the wax matrix extended release may be a good choice. I like the flush and I like simplicity.

Also, don't miss the note in the article that says you can avoid raising homocysteine levels by taking folate and B12.

[Grammy80 in reply to Bolt_Upright]

Such a male!!!....flushing is like 'hot flashes'....check with your wife. It is the widening of the capillaries...makes we women blush shyly.....or get overheated. You can't help it fella!💞

[Bracondale in reply to Grammy80]

🤣

[Bracondale in reply to Bolt_Upright]

Yes, by keeping the methylation cycle optimal.

[Smittybear7 in reply to CaseyInsights]

Can you take this if you have Parkinson’s and osteoporosis and high cholesterol?

[CaseyInsights in reply to Smittybear7]

Can you take this if you have Parkinson’s and osteoporosis and high cholesterol?

That question you will need to direct to your health care team.

However my spouse has Parkinson and “high cholesterol” and she is on 500mg per day.

I pair it with Alpha Lipoic Acid and CoQ10.

I have name the triad the energizers🌺

[Jezbo]

....".it is also one of the least expensive therapeutic options currently available". and there-in lies a very important factor as to why it has been overlooked!!! They can't make any money out of it.

[Bracondale in reply to Jezbo]

Exactly that!

[Bracondale]

Agree, the flush isn't horrible. And I wonder who funded / conducted the studies that cast doubts about nicotinic acid? As I understand it, niacinamide may have the potential to cause liver problems at very high doses but nicotinic acid itself is safe. Wasn't aware of a wax-matrix, controlled release form of NA (thank you for this information).

[MarionP]

"Do you believe?" (Peter Pan brand peanut butter slogan)

[ZOOM4522]

After over two years off trying to eliminate Parkinson's symptoms, Bolt_Upright's letter and subsequent replies have raised my hopes considerably. I am going to give Niagen and/or nicotinamide. Will let HealthUnlocked know my results.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to ZOOM4522]

Thanks you for the kind words.

I have a high school degree, but should point out, Niagen is NR and does not bind with GPR109a like NA does. Nicotinamide DOES bind with GPR109a. I know that NOPAK and NOPARK studies had some success with NR, but my cynical high school educated brain thinks they just created NR to have a patented product almost as good as NA. Again, that nicotinamide may have its advantages over NA. They both effect GPR109a. I just don't think much of NR.

Do your own research (which for me is Googling combinations of words)