It will be interesting to see what amount of Niacin is suggested to most effectively lower triglicerides. Some people are sensitive to Niacin in that it produces flushing in the skin. Technically, this is not an allergic reaction but it makes some people stop taking supplements. Niacin has the advantage that it has no effect on the liver whereas statins cannot be taken by anyone with liver problems. I’m glad to see Niacin is getting the attention it needs for triglyceride challenged individuals.

As long as you’re taking a time-release formula, flushing shouldn’t be a problem. “No-flush” Niacin supplements are readily available.

Triglycerides drop like a rock if one avoids starches and sugars. This puts the body into ketosis/lipolysis which is burning of fat for energy (meanwhile the liver makes glucose from protein [dietary preferred] in a physiological process called gluconeogenesis). The lack of blood glucose spikes resulti in lower insulin, which then down-regulates HMG-CoA Reductase (the rate-limiting enzyme in the cholesterol pathway–the same one that statins inhibit), thereby lowering cholesterol.

What happens next is interesting, because these circulating ketones (primarily beta-hydroxybutyrate) couple the “niacin receptor” (HM74A) having virtually the same effect as niacin. (see PMID 17238156)

Ketosis experts (such as NIH researcher Richard L. Veech) argue that fasting is probably the more normal state of mankind (vs. this high carbohydrate lifestyle we now have).

No-flush niacin doesn’t work the same way standard niacin works–it actually doesn’t work.

See Dr. Davis’ “heart scan blog” for details.

I have been taking 750mg Niaspan for 4 years and it has done nothing to lower my levels and I am a vegan. Almost $4000 down the tubes. Thankfully, with the loss of my job, medical insurance and home I won’t have to pay this terrible price for a med that is as effective as a brick.

I have been taking 1000mg Niacin (TwinLab) crystals twice a day 15 min after breakfast and dinner with very little or occasional flushing effect for the past 10+ years. It has lowered my cholesterol to around 180 with a perfect ratio between LDL and HDL.

The no-flush brand or any other brand than TwinLab has sent me to emergency room with sever rash all over my body.

I also tried prescription Niacin (Niaspan) and I say it is a waste of money and complete ripoff.

If you can handle minor flush please check with your doctor and with his blessing order Niassin over the net. You need blood test every few month to check your liver enzyme. similar to any other cholesterol lowering drugs,

NO One in medicine fully understands the liver and how to deal with the fact that everything we injest, particularly medications and vitamins will cause even more negative impact in the liver.
However, I have been able to lower my LFT’s by> 50% by taking N-acetylcisteine orally 600 mg once a day, available at GNC. I also take GNC’s liver supplement with milk thistle and other natural supplements that help the liver.
I used to sell “NAC” I.V. to emergency depts who had to treat people who used Tylenol in large amounts to kill themselves, but only succeeded in ruining their liver, and NAC IV was the rescue med that helped them continue to live.
At any rate, I know how well NAC works to cleanse the liver and reduce its workload. I have been using this for years and my doctors are amazed at how well this has helped my liver be more normal. I don;t drink a lot and never have, but do take blood pressure meds. My doctors have adopted my remedies for their patients with any possibility of liver compromise and are happy with the results…so much for ‘modern medicine’…..