Since 1955 there have been over 2000 studies completed confirming niacin, vitamin B-3, lowers triglycerides and cholesterol levels. In addition, science now knows niacin lowers LDL, Lp(a) lipoprotein, and fibrinogen levels while simultaneously raising HDL cholesterol levels

High levels of blood fats are a problem in diabetes. Blood fats increase the chances of heart disease, a major side effect of diabetes. Niacin, when supplemented in the appropriate dose, is a natural and non-toxic way to reduce blood fats. Lp(a) is a fatty protein in the blood that is closely related to low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, also known as the bad cholesterol. Lp(a) is an independent risk factor for premature heart disease. According to the national best selling author Steven Lamm, M.D., in the book "Younger At Last," "there is currently no known way to lower high levels of Lp(a) other than using niacin." In addition, niacin lowers other blood fats as indicated in this article. Niacin is a natural substance and non-toxic in a broad range of dose. It has the ability to aid diabetics by decreasing blood fats; elevated blood fats increase the risks of heart disease.

In many cases there are drug therapies that can decrease blood fats. The problem with many of the drug therapies currently in use to lower blood fats, there are considerable risks from side effects. Often these drugs have limited benefit as well. The use of niacin can result in a flushing effect and an itchy feeling for a short time after its use. This flushing effect seems to cause widespread perception that niacin is a difficult and somewhat dangerous vitamin. The fact is niacin has "occasional" side effects, mainly gastric irritation, nausea, and liver damage (liver damage is mainly when using sustained release niacin over 800 mg per day) as well as a harmless flushing effect. To reduce these side effects, start at low doses and use niacin at meal times. Inositol hexaniacinate is the safest form of niacin currently available. Both short and long-term studies show it is virtually free of side effects other than an occasional person experiencing mild gastric upset or mild skin irritation. Compare these side effects with the side effects of drug medications, and compare the benefits of both niacin and drugs. If you read the labels you will see there are many more side effects from drugs than niacin. Also, starting at low doses of niacin and using niacin at meals can reduce the chances of side effects.

Dr. Bob was a MD internal medicine, orthomolecular doctor, MD psychiatrist, chiropractor, and healer 65 years. He was a diabetic who lived to 108 years with only 1 side effect 2 years before he passed away. He often referred to niacin as the "life vitamin." Niacin and its benefits, was the first thing he described to this writer while discussing medicine many years ago. He was aware of the few occasional side effects of niacin and he recommended take 50 mg to 100 mg, 3 times a day, to start. Eventually, over a period of weeks, increase the dose to 250 mg, 3 times a day. He said do not use sustained release niacin, it might lead to liver problems. Also, do not take niacin without consulting an orthomolecular doctor (they specialize in nutritional medicine) or your own doctor. Also patients with pre-existing liver problems or elevations in liver enzymes, gout, or peptic ulcers should not use niacin. Diabetics need to stay at these low doses unless under close observation by their doctors. Also, he advised using inositol hexaniacinate niacin. He said it was the most effective niacin and it virtually was free of side effects.

Dr. Bob noted on a few occasions that blood sugar will rise with the use of niacin supplementation. This usually did not occur in diabetics when they started off slowly and did not exceed 1 gram per day of niacin. So diabetics, who use niacin, should closely monitor blood sugar. Dr. Bob also warned that niacin can sometimes cause problems for diabetics with renal and kidney conditions. In this case he said use inositol hexaniacinate, a form of niacin that does not go through the kidneys. Build up the dose until you are using 250 mg, 3 times a day, for a total of 750 mg per day of hexaniacinate.

In conclusion, niacin has demonstrated better overall results in reducing the risk for coronary heart disease than other cholesterol-lowering agents. It is non-toxic and safe in a wide range of dose. It probably has considerably less risk than drug medications. Check the labels to see for yourself. It is also inexpensive. Right now doctors seem to favor drugs over natural therapies. Drugs are usually more expensive and are toxic. However, if the doctors are determined to ignore the benefits of niacin, then diabetics will need to determine the risks and benefits of niacin with more knowledgeable doctors. Orthomolecular doctors are nutritional specialists and MD's. We suggest if you are diabetic contact orthomolecular doctors. Diabetes is mainly a disease of nutrition. This would seem to make orthomolecular doctors and diabetics an excellent match. You can find a list of orthomolecular doctors on the web site www. restoreunity.org.


Note – In order for these anti-aging ideas to be successful, you must use supplements of the highest quality. Dr. Bob often said, "almost all supplement companies produce poor quality." You can consider the product page of this web site. Almost all the products met Dr. Bob’s approval. Since he passed away we have attempted to keep the same high standards.

WARNING:  DO NOT STOP ANY TREATMENT OR MEDICATION YOU CURRENTLY USE.  CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE STARTING THE USE OF SUPPLEMENTS. 

Thank you for visiting this web site.  Go with the flow and contribute to the music of the motion.  If you are happy with any information found on this web site, please consider a donation.

Page Last Modified: 04FEB02