Niacin and Good Cholesterol: The Perfect Match

A recent study done by the University of Florida (UF), revealed that niacin acrually increases the good cholesterol (HDL) that the liver and intestines produce. It's been know for sometime that niacin has a positive impact on good cholesterol levels.

Niacin helps retain the HDL in the body which allows for a more favorable balance relative to the LDL (bad cholesterol).

A brief excerpt of the article in the University of Floria News follows that provides some insight into the study. To read the complete article click here: University of Florida News

[...] The body uses nicotinic acid to convert carbohydrates into energy. It is found in many over-the-counter multivitamin formulations and is sometimes prescribed on its own to lower triglycerides and increase good cholesterol. But until now, researchers weren’t quite sure whether niacin could actually increase good cholesterol levels. To find definitive evidence, the UF researchers tested human liver and intestine cells in the first study of its kind. They found that nicotinic acid increased the activity of a gene that produces a protein called apolipoprotein A-1, which is the major component of good cholesterol in the blood. Not only that, the researchers were able to identify the specific region of the gene that was responsible for making new HDL. [...]

Another Cholesterol Medication Goes Down (Or Does It)?. In the Pipeline:

"This is turning into Cardiovascular Week around the blog, I have to say, and not in a good way. The latest news is the failure of a drug candidate from Takeda, TAK-475 (lapaquistat). They were in the lead in the field of squalene synthase inhibitors for cholesterol lowering (many other companies have taken a crack at this target, and dropped out along the way)., and their compound once had hopes of being a pretty big deal."

href="http://pipeline.corante.com/archives/2008/04/04/another_cholesterol_medication_goes_down_or_does_it.php">Another Cholesterol Medication Goes Down (Or Does It)?. In the Pipeline:

Drug lowers cholesterol and fights hepatitis C - Health News, Health & Wellbeing - The Independent

"A drug that can lower cholesterol levels and prevent the liver from being attacked by the hepatitis C virus has come a step closer following a successful trial on laboratory animals."

Drug lowers cholesterol and fights hepatitis C - Health News, Health & Wellbeing - The Independent: "A drug that can lower cholesterol levels and prevent the liver from being attacked by the hepatitis C virus has come a step closer following a successful trial on laboratory animals."

Premature Delivery Linked to High Cholesterol in Moms Later - washingtonpost.com

"Giving birth early seems to increase a woman's risk of having high cholesterol later, a new study shows."

Premature Delivery Linked to High Cholesterol in Moms Later - washingtonpost.com

Study Links Statin Use to Tendon Injury

"New research suggests a link between the use of cholesterol-lowering statin drugs and tendon injury, but the study falls short of proving an association, a cholesterol expert tells WebMD."

Study Links Statin Use to Tendon Injury

RD Foods’ Right Direction Healthy Chocolate Chip & Oatmeal Raisin Cookies with Plant Sterols Can Help Lower Cholesterol Levels

"RD Foods, maker of Right Direction Cookies™, the healthy chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies that can help reduce cholesterol levels, wants to educate customers on the healthy ingredients contained in its cookies. RD Foods includes plant sterols, present in many fruits, vegetables, cereals, nuts, seeds and vegetable oils in its Right Direction Cookies because plant sterols provide beneficial cholesterol absorbing properties that can help lower dietary cholesterol."

RD Foods’ Right Direction Healthy Chocolate Chip & Oatmeal Raisin Cookies with Plant Sterols Can Help Lower Cholesterol Levels

Raise Cholesterol to Protect Your Heart?

"Saint Louis University is recruiting volunteers who have a history of cardiovascular disease to test the effectiveness of medications that raise HDL, or "good cholesterol," in protecting against future cardiovascular events, such as heart attack or stroke."

Raise Cholesterol to Protect Your Heart? : Saint Louis University : SLU

Fast-food diets hurt liver, but boost good cholesterol: study

"Swedish researchers say a diet of burgers, fries and soft drinks can damage the liver and increase waistlines, but may also boost levels of good cholesterol, a key measure of cardiovascular health."

Fast-food diets hurt liver, but boost good cholesterol: study

High Levels of "Good" Cholesterol May Be a Bad Thing - Diabetes Health

"A Dutch research study suggests that high levels of "good" HDL cholesterol are not so good - in fact, they may actually increase the risk of a cardiovascular event."


High Levels of "Good" Cholesterol May Be a Bad Thing - Diabetes Health

Clinical Mind - Medical News, Clinical Trials, Research, Diagnosis, Treatment

"Individuals with high cholesterol levels are more likely to get infected by disease spread by ticks. A recent study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, indicates that the likelihood of developing Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis (HGA) is higher in people with high cholesterol levels. The study was conducted by Yasuko Rikihisa and her team on two groups of mice. Rikihisa is the lead author of the study and a professor of veterinary biosciences at Ohio State University."

Clinical Mind - Medical News, Clinical Trials, Research, Diagnosis, Treatment

2-Drug Combo May Knock Down Cholesterol - Health - RedOrbit

" Patients with diabetes who were given two popular cholesterol- lowering drugs at the same time saw a "remarkable" drop in cholesterol levels, according to LDS Hospital heart researchers. They believe the results would likely be similar for others with a "mixed type" of cholesterol-fatty disorder."

2-Drug Combo May Knock Down Cholesterol - Health - RedOrbit

New discoveries offer promise for cholesterol drugs

"New discoveries offer promise for developing drugs that improve on the therapeutic profile of niacin, the inexpensive, time-tested B-vitamin that boosts levels of HDL cholesterol, the good cholesterol with the potential to protect people against heart attacks and stroke, scientists report."


New discoveries offer promise for cholesterol drugs: "New discoveries offer promise for developing drugs that improve on the therapeutic profile of niacin, the inexpensive, time-tested B-vitamin that boosts levels of HDL cholesterol, the good cholesterol with the potential to protect people against heart attacks and stroke, scientists report."

Company News Story

"Israeli biotechnology firm Enzymotec has signed a distribution agreement with India's Elder Pharmaceuticals for the distribution of its CardiaBeat product. CardiaBeat lowers LDL cholesterol and minimizes the risk of heart diseases.'


Company News Story

Fashion Monitor Toronto - Guide to Toronto Fashion, Style and Nightlife - Soy Protein Lowers Cholesterol Up to 8% - Soyfoods are nutritious and heart-

"Recent controversy has surfaced regarding the efficacy of soy protein consumption in reducing serum cholesterol. Here are some facts you should know about soy and heart health."

Fashion Monitor Toronto - Guide to Toronto Fashion, Style and Nightlife - Soy Protein Lowers Cholesterol Up to 8% - Soyfoods are nutritious and heart-healthy, and may lower a person's choles