Niacin can reduce triglyceride levels

Q. My wife takes niacin. She had high triglycerides for 16 years. Nothing seemed to help. They were never under 350. Well, finally, one of her doctors said to try niacin. He said to start very slowly, as it can cause some really awful side effects if you take too much.

So she started at 100 milligrams a day. That went on for about three weeks, until her body got used to it. Then she increased to 200 milligrams and so on. She worked her way up to 3,000 milligrams a day, and there are no side effects at all. Now her triglycerides are only 130. Her doctors are really pleased. What do you think?

A. Although niacin doesn't help all patients, it can often produce striking effects in lowering blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. I share her doctors' enthusiasm. She should continue taking the vitamin and have her cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked every six to 12 months.

Q. Awhile back, I saw a letter in your column from a person who tried the Vicks for toenail fungus and discovered that it also helped neuropathy. I did not have any fungus but tried rubbing Vicks on my toes and feet for my neuropathy. It helped a lot. I rub it on at night and wear thin cotton socks to sleep. It takes very little of it. It is so much better now that I don't use it every night. If I skip two or three nights, it will come back, and I then go back to it.

After I obtained so much relief, I told my sister about it. Her neuropathy was worse than mine. She tried it and was also amazed at the improvement. She is wearing shoes that she hadn't been able to wear in two years because of the pain.

I had not seen any more about this treatment in your column, so I wanted others to know of our success with it.

A. Some readers have mailed me objecting to the repetition of alternative remedies. However, I perform this service in an attempt to improve my readers' quality of life.

The Vicks therapy for neuropathy is new, unexpected, inexpensive and safe. I am gladly publishing your letter and will welcome feedback from other readers. If I give a follow-up, please bear with me. I care a lot about helping my readers -- even though my assistance may, at times, seem whacky.

Write to Dr. Peter Gott in careof the Daily Herald, P.O.Box280, Arlington Heights, IL60006.