The B vitamin niacin beat out the prescription cholesterol-lowering medicine ezetimibe (also known as Zetia) in a recent research trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The trial compared their cholesterol-lowering capabilities and their effects on the amount of thickening of blood vessels.
Results for niacin were excellent. Niacin lowered LDL “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides, and raised HDL “good” cholesterol. Most importantly, niacin decreased the thickening of blood vessels, which means less cardiovascular disease. The prescription ezetimibe also lowered triglycerides and LDL “bad” cholesterol, but increased the thickening of blood vessels! How ironic that a cholesterol-lowering medicine increases cardiovascular disease.
Although I highly recommend niacin supplementation for the above purposes, it should only be taken when being monitored by a physician.
Results for niacin were excellent. Niacin lowered LDL “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides, and raised HDL “good” cholesterol. Most importantly, niacin decreased the thickening of blood vessels, which means less cardiovascular disease. The prescription ezetimibe also lowered triglycerides and LDL “bad” cholesterol, but increased the thickening of blood vessels! How ironic that a cholesterol-lowering medicine increases cardiovascular disease.
Although I highly recommend niacin supplementation for the above purposes, it should only be taken when being monitored by a physician.
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