Thanks for the welcome Copepod. Yes, I'll introduce myself - eventually. But for now, please accept this post in lieu, as I think it's priority is a little higher:
OK, so I've dug a bit deeper still, & I hafta say, something very fishy goin' on here. The Acipimox/FFA's story checks out. I found this on the ADA website:
Overnight lowering of free fatty acids with Acipimox improves insulin resistance and glucose tolerance in obese diabetic and nondiabetic subjects.
A T Santomauro, G Boden, M E Silva, D M Rocha, R F Santos, M J Ursich, P G Strassmann and B L Wajchenberg
+ Author Affiliations
Endocrine Service, Hospital das Clinicas, São Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract
Obesity is commonly associated with elevated plasma free fatty acid (FFA) levels, as well as with insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, two important cardiovascular risk factors. What causes insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia in obesity remains uncertain. Here, we have tested the hypothesis that FFAs are the link between obesity and insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia and that, therefore, lowering of chronically elevated plasma FFA levels would improve insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia and glucose tolerance in obese nondiabetic and diabetic subjects. Acipimox (250 mg), a long-acting antilipolytic drug, or placebo was given overnight (at 7:00 P.M., 1:00 A.M., 7:00 A.M.) to 9 lean control subjects, 13 obese nondiabetic subjects, 10 obese subjects with impaired glucose tolerance, and 11 patients with type 2 diabetes. Euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps and oral glucose tolerance tests (75 g) were performed on separate mornings after overnight Acipimox or placebo treatment. In the three obese study groups, Acipimox lowered fasting levels of plasma FFAs (by 60-70%) and plasma insulin (by approximately 50%). Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake during euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamping was more than twofold higher after Acipimox than after placebo. Areas under the glucose and insulin curves during oral glucose tolerance testing were both approximately 30% lower after Acipimox administration than after placebo. We conclude that lowering of elevated plasma FFA levels can reduce insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia and improve oral glucose tolerance in lean and obese nondiabetic subjects and in obese patients with type 2 diabetes.
COMMENTS:
1. So, the first thing to note is that this is a Brazilian study, not US, and the authors (as far as I can tell) are all Brazilian nationals. Not that that necessarily negates the validity of the study, or that I have anything against Brazilians. After all, they used to be able to play football.
2. Joseph Borden does not appear in the list of authors, but G Boden does. Further digging reveals the full name to be Guenther Boden, not Joseph Borden. This is too close to be mere coincidence, so I smell a rat.
CONCLUSION
Ricky Everett (or whatever is his real name) is most likely a snake-oil merchant who has stumbled on something that has genuine merit. I'd hate to throw out the baby with the bathwater, but consider yourselves forewarned. Does that mean that the basic premise of the protocol is bogus? Not necessarily. It's entirely possible that a niacin-rich diet, accompanied by co vits, minerals & enzymes that aid its absorption, is exactly what the doctor ordered for lowering insulin resistance.
Well, I think I've fulfilled my civic duty, etc., but if any other boarders have anything to add, please feel free.