Niacin CRT

Niacin's lipid-lowering capabilities were discovered in the 1950's. However, recently niacin has been chosen by many health care practitioners as first-line therapy for hyperlipidemia because of its desirable impact on all lipid fractions? lowers low density lipoproteins (LDL), Lp(a) and triglycerides (TG), raises high density lipoproteins (HDL) and increases ratio of large/small particle LDL. An additional major benefit of niacin therapy is the relatively low toxicity and cost, particularly as compared to other lipid lowering agents.

Many of you have seen excellent results in maintaining normal cholesterol levels with time-release niacin. Controlled Release Technology (CRT) is the latest technology for delivering niacin in a continuous, controlled rate over a 12-14 hour period. Flushing sometimes happens with time-release niacin as there can be fairly large surges of niacin released intermittently over a 6-8 hour period. Flushing is extremely rare with Niacin CRT.

Serving Size:  1 Tablet

Niacin CRT

Many have seen excellent results in maintaining normal cholesterol levels with time-release niacin. Design's for Health recently improved their niacin to a Controlled Release Technology (CRT), which uses the latest technology for delivering niacin in a continuous, controlled rate over a 12-14 hour period. Flushing sometimes happens with time-release niacin as there can be fairly large surges of niacin released intermittently over a 6-8 hour period. However, flushing is far less likely with this improved controlled release niacin. Dietary supplement forms of niacin usually come in strengths of 250 mg or less. Since very high doses of niacin are required for hyperlipidemia (1,000-2,000 mg), dietary supplement niacin usually isn't appropriate because of the side effects. Niacin CRT provides 500mg of niacin per tablet, with little or no side effects.

The body uses vitamin B3 (niacin) in the process of energy-transfer reactions, especially the metabolism of glucose, fat and alcohol. The niacin form of vitamin B3 (nicotinic acid) also regulates cholesterol, though niacinamide does not. Another form of of niacin, inositol nicotinate, has also been used for improving lipid profiles. The effectiveness of inositol nicotinate for hyperlipidemia is controversial. Some evidence suggests that inositol nicotinate does not produce serum free nicotinic acid levels high enough for a significant clinical effect. With this latest research in mind, Design's for Health made this improved controlled release niacin available in Niacin CRT.

How to take Niacin CRT?

Take 1 to 3 tablets at night either with dinner or before bed, as cholesterol synthesis has been shown to be highest in the evening hours. Start with 1 tablet at night and gradually increase dosage up to 3 tablets as needed or as directed by your health care professional.

Controlled Release Technology

Controlled Release Technology (developed for pharmaceutical delivery) is also known as steady-state or zero-order release, allowing for a very slow 10-12 hour continuous release of niacin into the body in a very uniform manner. This helps to eliminate the spikes and surges found in older generation sustained release technologies, virtually eliminating unpleasant side effects. This greatly reduces gastrointestinal upset and gut irritation associated with the buildup of localized concentrations of niacin and cutaneous symptoms associated with a rapid rise in blood levels. This technology is designed to deliver measurable amounts of an ingredient to the body at a prescribed rate in a therapeutic window for an extended period of time, ideally allowing for a convenient once-daily dosing rather than having to take morning, noon and night.

Research presented at the 7th World Congress of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention (Feb 2000) compared lipid lowering abilities of sustained release niacin vs. lovastatin. Subjects were given either 1500 or 2000 mg/day sustained release niacin or 20-40 mg/day lovastatin. Looking at cost and efficacy, the niacin was determined to be the superior choice for patients with dyslipidemia. Controlled release technology (CRT) is superior to sustained release technology (SRT) and would be expected to yield similar, if not even more impressive, results.

Are there any side effects from taking Niacin CRT?

Niacin CRT incorporates technology which helps minimize instances of flushing. However, some individuals who may be sensitive to niacin, and its various forms, may still experience temporary flushing, vasodilation, and hot flash-like symptoms.

Read the Niacin CRT Technical Data Sheet Here

Researchers from the University of California, Irvine and the Atherosclerosis Research Center recently discovered how niacin improves protective HDL cholesterol levels and therefore helps reduce the risk of heart disease (June 2008; Journal of Lipid Research).⁵ The researchers found that a subunit ('beta chain') of the enzyme ATP synthase, the protein that makes the body's energy source ATP, can take up HDL and reduce the levels being eliminated from the body. Specifically, they further found that when human liver HepG2 cells were incubated with niacin, a 27% reduction in the presence of beta chains on the cell surface was observed and a 35% reduction in the uptake of HDL was observed. To put it simply, niacin hinders the liver from removing HDL from the body, thus maintaining high plasma HDL levels.⁵

References

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4.  Effect of Sustained Release Nicotinic Acid on Post-Prandial Lipids in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease. 7th World Congress of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention, Feb 2000.
5.  L.-H. Zhang, V.S. Kamanna, M.C. Zhang, M.L. Kashyap. Niacin inhibits surface expression of ATP synthase B-chain in HepG2 cells: implications for raising HDL. Journal of Lipid Research. June 2008, Volume 49, Pages 1195-1201.
6. Seed M, O'Connor B .The effect of nicotinic acid and acipimox on lipoprotein(a) concentration and turnover. Atherosclerosis. 1993 Jun;101(1):61-8.
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