Of course, the form of niacin used in this study isn't exactly the same as the niacin supplements found in stores - it's a timed-release version called Niaspan, but it's no secret that niacin supplements can reduce cholesterol levels.
Niacin is just one nutrient that can be used therapeutically when taken in large amounts. Fish oil capsules also come to mind, among others. I know many people would like to take dietary supplements along side or even in place of prescription medications, but that's something you should never do without talking to your health care provider first. Although dietary supplements are generally safe, when you dabble in mega-dosing those dietary supplements, you may wind up with some interactions with other medications or side effects that you didn't expect.
Speaking with your health care provider is just one tip for using dietary supplements wisely. I also have more ideas for you if you're thinking about using dietary supplements.
In keeping with the caution about supplements….I spent a couple of very expensive days in ICU 2 years ago for an outrageously rapid heartbeat and serious premature ventricular contractions. After many tests and a lot of detective work on my part, as well as the doctor’s, it turned out to be caused by the CoQ10 I was taking once a day.
I then started taking salmon oil capsules and my cholesterol was lowered more by them than it is now by low-dose Crestor….but I also started developing the pvc’s from the salmon oil capsules and had to stop using them too.
So just because something is natural and can be good for some or most people, it doesn’t mean it’s good for EVERYONE!
I think I would never “dabble” in “massive doses” of anything. I used to take 12 – 15 pills a day, and this would vary based on the latest study I read about in the papers or online. Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Fish Oil, Biotin, the list is long. Honestly I can’t say I ever noticed any difference either in how I felt or what my blood chemistry showed. Nutrition is a complex science. Nutrients often must be present is precise amounts and combinations in order to do us any good. You can drink all the milk you want but you are not going to get any calcium from it unless it is “fortified with vitamin D”.
There are many companies that offer complete supplementation programs. and I have gotten good results from staying on one (lower cholesterol lower blood sugar, better energy through the day, etc.). As an ex-dabbler, don’t think “dabbling” is useful.
Living our lives according to ‘the latest study’ is just a recipe for disaster. Inevitably, just around the corner, another study disproves everything that went before and we are left wondering what damage we have done to our health.
Although I work in the bodybuilding industry I still retain my sense of proportion which tells me that if we lead an active life and eat a well balanced diet we will be healthy.
Nutritional supplements are excellent, when used under the supervision of experts, when our physical demands are extreme. So if you are pushing your body to the limits of human capability, you would probably benefit from some level of nutritional supplement to help you keep strong and recover well.
So, how can you tell? My doctor told me to take fish oil but didn’t give me any guidelines. Focus Factor seems to be good quality but how can we know?