 Need help about niacin
I'm 44 and in good shape. I have good cardio stamina and my weight is good. However, I had a heart attack 2 years ago (I was in even better shape with very little body fat and great strength and endurance) and had 6 stents placed in my coronary arteries. I was on bp medicine (even though it was never high)for a short time and i am still taking plavix. I REFUSE to ever put a statin drug into my body. I've been on niacin 3000mg since my MI. It hasn't really lowered my total cholesterol(which is usually around 215-225, but has lowered ldl 20pts, while raising hdl 20 points. My ldl used to be about 160 and Hdl 35. Now, on niacin, Ldl is 135 and hdl 55. It has also changed the particle size of the ldl from small dense to large, more buoyant ldl. It has also reduced my Lpa into normal ranges. The only negative thing is my liver enzymes are elevated. I hadn't had them checked in a while and last week I did. My alt was 90 and ast was 48. I take regular, instant release niacin 1000mg 3xday. Should I continue and not worry about the liver enzymes, or should I reduce? also, does red yeast rice have the same side effect potential as a statin? Any feedback would be appreciated.
p.s. the allopathic Drs. I see keep wanting me to take a statin if I want to "survive" for more than 7 years.  |