Lowering cholesterol with niacin
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Posted On :
Sep-26-2011
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Article Word Count :
509
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Cholesterol control has grown into a serious medical and lifestyle issue. Research has provided evidence that consumption of niacin in moderate amounts does not only lower the level of bad cholesterol, but it also increases the level of good cholesterol.
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Cholesterol control has grown into a serious medical and lifestyle issue. The main reason behind it is that it is closely connected with cardiovascular diseases, like heart attack or stroke. These conditions are at the top of the list of premature death causes and health care systems invest hefty amounts of money in prevention, education and treatment. Cholesterol is important because its excess leads to depositing plaque along the arteries. When they are blocked, blood circulation is disturbed, which results in a variety of heart-related problems. The condition also has a major influence on the quality of life, including psychological well-being, energy levels and fitness.
People diagnosed with a high level of cholesterol are advised to bring it down to reasonable limits. This has triggered an entire industry of medications and alternative therapies that are designed to have this effect. Many of them are very effective, but either expensive or connected with frustrating side effects. There are patients who look for more natural solutions and the substance that stands out in this category is niacin, otherwise known as vitamin B3.
Research has provided evidence that consumption of niacin in moderate amounts does not only lower the level of bad cholesterol, but it also increases the level of good cholesterol. Also known as HDL, it has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system.
There have also been attempts to combine this nutrient with others that have a similar impact for stronger effect. However, studies show that a highly promising combination of statin and niacin is actually counterproductive. In a large study involving 1,700 patients divided into two groups, it turned out that taking niacin alone brings much better results and, unsurprisingly, makes the whole treatment simpler and less cost-intensive, which is not beside the point. Another combination commonly referred to is putting niacin together with chromium, a substance that is good at regulating insulin and blood sugar levels.
While vitamin B3 belongs to a group of diet supplements that are commonly believed to be effective and many conventional doctors advise niacin-based therapies, some reservations linger on. First of all, niacin can be obtained from many species of oily fish, like salmon or cod, and especially from their liver. Other food products contain some amounts of this nutrient too, so relying on supplementation too quickly can be seen as an easy way out. Also importantly, with a convenient, pill-form treatment, many people whose lifestyles put them at a high risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease might find it easier not to push through necessary changes in their everyday behavior. The basis for heart-healthy living is keeping a good diet. If cholesterol is the center of attention it has to be rich in products such as soya milk, tofu, onions or garlic. Another must is getting a solid dose of physical exercise, something that no diet supplement can replace. Staying off cigarettes, alcohol and unhealthy stimulants is also a no-brainer and the effectiveness of niacin should have nothing to do with a need to quit such destructive habits.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Lowering cholesterol with niacin_85861.aspx
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Author Resource :
I am a web designer, a passionate writer and a healthy lifestyle enthusiast. I write articles about diet supplements like probiotics or niacin and about healthy food.
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Keywords :
niacin,
Category :
Health and Fitness
:
Nutrition
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