Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

First off...niacin, as a supplement to reduce ldl and raise hdl is great. It is proven and I have been using it for a couple of years now as an alternative to statins. Like many, I turned to this extended release version to avoid the flush and it works in that regard. So, it works as niacin and its apparent side effects are minimal compared with regular niacin so it does what it says. The issue is what it does that it does not say. If you google immediate release niacin and extended release niacin and side effects, you will see that there is usually an additional warning that extended release can cause liver damage. So, this means it has a greater impact on liver function as the result of its mechanism of being released over hours instead of immediately. In essence the liver does not have to deal with a heavy impact of niacin, just a long term one. Well, apparently that long term means the liver never really has a chance to recover. How it impacted me I believe and I qualify that because it has only been a few days off of it, is that it affected my glucose control. As a type 2 diabetic who only uses metformin and diet and exercise to control my sugar, I am a certain subset of the the diabetic family. You could say I have a very mild form of the affliction. As a result, I represent a small portion of those trying to control the cholesterol using niacin, so this review is only for those in my situation, or close to it. I go through spurts in testing since I tend not to change my habits and so testing periodically works (worked) well for me. I started taking this stuff last march. And when May rolled around I began checking my glucose level and found results that were concerning. My fasting glucose went from 100 to 130 and I would have spikes into the 200's after a cup of coffee with just a little creamer. The spikes were completely new. Well the liver plays a major role in holding and releasing sugar if needed and if it is stressed, then all bets are off. For a period of weeks I considered everything else but the niacin as the culprit...its disappointing that it took me so long to take a look at the niacin, but it probably contributed that I was taking a low dose 2 500 mg per day and that is far below what others take or what is considered dangerous. Having stopped taking niacin for a few days now my sugar levels have returned to normal and because of dietary changes I made along the way, tea instead of coffee for instance, they are better than ever. Fasting glucose was 89 this morning. There will be some who consider that I may have an agenda since no one, including myself, likes to see a product they like have any negative reviews, but if you take a look at my reviews, you will see I am a legitimate reviewer who just passes along what they feel about a given product. And there is supporting evidence via google with regard to niacin impairing glucose control, so...if the shoe fits, then consider an alternative. They are out there. I am currently looking into pantethine.