niacin

[alleycat2]

What do we think about the new colesterol study about the effect of niacin not doing the job?

[Occupant]

I just want to add that this was a study of Niaspan - the time release version of Niacin - and not Niacin.

[erijon]

Here is the basis of what they found. They were able to produce additional HDL particles, however the new particles are smaller in size and do not have a protective property against CAD. The naturally occurring HDL in your body is better at doing it's job than the artificially produced HDL. The reason the trial was stopped was because they were not seeing any reduction in cardiac events between the Niacin control group and the placebo control group.

It was kind of a shock the the medical community. It does not change the way HDL & LDL work, it just means we need to find a way to make HDL particles that act like the ones that form naturally in our bodies.

Before researchers throw in the towel, there are still two large studies going on that will have results in a year or two, we'll see what they tell us. On thing has be stated over and over, you should not stop any meds you are taking to increase HDL until you speak with your doctor.

Jon

[aheart]

I don't think its any secret that the medical community would be hard pressed to say that any "natural" product worked. I thought it was kind of odd that they stopped the study mid stream, stating the results were so dismal it was a waste to go any farther.Do I believe their study? Yes