Extended-Release Niacin Functions Better than Statin Drug
A study was conducted to determine if treatment added to statin (cholesterol lowering) drug therapy would improve the cholesterol level and lipid profile to raise HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol or further lower low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
Patients with heart disease or a risk of developing it who were receiving long term statin drug therapy, and who had a LDL level under 100mg/dl and a HLD cholesterol level under 50 mg/dl, were randomly assigned to receive extended-release niacin or Zetia. After 14 months, the trial was stopped early based on the effectiveness of the niacin.
While Zetia decreases cholesterol levels, it has not demonstrated its capacity to improve clinically significant outcomes, such as major coronary events, and it makes some outcomes worse, such as artery wall thickness, which is an important risk factor. In 2008, a panel of experts determined that Zetia should only be used as a last resort.
HDL (High-density lipoprotein) is one of the five types of lipoprotein (a molecule composed of fat and protein) that allows fats such as cholesterol and triglycerides to be carried within the blood. HDL comprises about thirty percent of the total cholesterol level.
It’s believed that HDL has the ability to remove cholesterol from plaques within arteries and take it back to the liver for either removal or re-utilization, which is why HDL is called “good cholesterol. A high level of HDL seems to offer protection against heart disease, and low HDL levels, less than 40 mg/dl, increase the risk for that disease. In contrast to low density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered unfavorably.
The HDL cholesterol level in the niacin group increased by over 18.4% to 50 mg/dl, while the average LDL level decreased by 19.2%. The Zetia reduced the HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and the niacin significantly improved the functioning of the carotid arteries. Also, the incidence major cardiovascular events (such as a heart attack) were five times lower in the niacin group 1% vs. 5%.
The comparative effectiveness clearly demonstrated that the use of extended-release niacin not only improved the cholesterol levels, but also caused a significant reduction of carotid artery thickness when combined with a statin and that Niacin was superior to Zetia.
Reference:
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/361/22/2113
Disclaimer
The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. It has not been evaluated by the FDA. The information is not intended to prevent, treat, diagnose or cure any illness or disease. All material provided on www.howtogetwellfaster.com is only for the education of the reader. You should always consult with your physician or other licensed health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition regarding your health and/or medical condition, and before undertaking any changes in your exercise, eating habits, diet, physical therapy or other health program. This website does not recommend self-management of one’s health care. Images, text and logic are copyright protected. All rights are explicitly reserved without prejudice, and no part of this website may be reproduced except by written consent. Copyright. All rights remain in force. Removing this notice forfeits all rights to recourse.