With all of the fanfare around statin drugs in recent years there has been less and less discussion about natural ways raise cholesterol levels. This is a shame especially since statins come with a number of label warnings that are quite significant. In this article titled “Could Niacin Be The Magic Bullet To Raise Good Cholesterol Levels Naturally” we will first clarify what good cholesterol is, and then explore the B vitamin niacin, which research shows, can raise good cholesterol levels.
Good cholesterol is known as HDL. These dense particles made up of primarily protein don’t carry the artery clogging cholesterol into your veins. The reason; HDL molecules are so dense they can’t squeeze through the spaces in the walls of the arteries. As a result HDL, and their payload of cholesterol, exits the body through the avenue of solid waste.
One colorful way to look at HDL is that they are like a buff taxi driver that always gets their rider (cholesterol) to the intended destination. On the other hand LDL (bad cholesterol) is an out of shape fellow, who always gets into trouble by dropping riders off along the way. Eventually so many riders have been stranded they get mad and stop the taxi, resulting in a traffic backup (heart attack or stroke).
Less than scientific, but you get the point. So can niacin help us to raise good cholesterol enough to reduce the number of disgruntled drivers dropped off on artery lane?
Niacin is rarely prescribed. There are a few reasons for this such as its perception as a dangerous medicine and confusion about the benefits compared to the risks. Additionally, niacin has been around for a while and there is very little enthusiasm by pharmaceutical companies, due to its generic standing. Despite its benefits niacin only account for less than 5 percent of all cholesterol drugs prescriptions written.
But don’t despair niacin can be found in many different foods including dairy products where your body converts the amino acid tryptophan into usable niacin.
It is also found in grains, but your body can’t absorb them unless they have been treated with lime. While this may be the case, many food manufacturers have recognized the benefits of niacin and fortified breads and cereals.
Meats, fish, and poultry also have ample amounts but require a certain amount of good judgment to pick foods that will raise good cholesterol while not elevating bad cholesterol.
While there is very little research for niacin foods we do have a great deal of information concerning medical strength niacin. What we find is when 375 mg of niacin are taken daily HDL levels rise by as much as 25 percent while LDL levels decrease 14 percent. Sadly, we must report that like most medications niacin comes with a plethora of side effects. These include sudden hot flashes, reducing the effectiveness of arthritis and diabetes medications, skin rashes, hives, itching, nausea, diarrhea, peptic ulcers, liver damage, vision problems, dizziness, and fainting. The old saying that there is no free lunch certainly seems to apply to prescription grade niacin.
What Next? Lowering cholesterol, in most cases, is about changing old habits, adopting new healthier habits, and enlisting the help of convention medications such as statin drugs, niacin, or natural cholesterol reducing remedies if needed. Put simply, this basically means finding ways to increase HDL (good cholesterol) and decreasing LDL (bad cholesterol levels). Certainly the aforementioned statin and niacin drugs will be one of your options but they do carry a number of serious label warnings. The side effect risk have made natural cholesterol reduction supplements containing such beneficial ingredients as lecithin oil, pumpkin seem oil, D-limonene, phytosterols, and antioxidants such as selenium, theaflavin, and tea catechins an alternative treatment option worth considering.
Rob D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate for the use of natural health products and natural living with over 10 years Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/could-niacin-be-the-magic-bullet-to-raise-good-cholesterol-levels-naturally-1602482.html
experience in the field.
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Category: Allergies