So we all know that taking AAS carries some inherent dangers with it, some obvious and easily fixable, others such as the dyslipidemia that occurs from using gear pose different challenges to keep it in check. I personally think that this aspect is grossly overlooked in general. This is the insidious chronic condition that if left unchecked is going to wreak havoc on your cardiac health and function long term. The thing that will give you problems years down the road. Let's say as an example a person does 2 12 week cycles a year. This leaves you with the potential to have a high LDL- bad cholesterol, and low HDL - the good kind, along with triglycerides for half of a year, assuming that your numbers go back to normal after you cycle, which isn't usually the case. It tends to have a lingering effect. So why all the rambling? Jow can we help fix this? Most know that taking fish oil containing EPA and DHA can help lower LDL. A less known and potentially more helpful supplement is niacin. Niacin is known to increase your HDL by up to 30%. Niacin blocks the release of VLDL in the liver. VLDL is taken to the peripheral tissues and is converted to LDL. HDL is considered the good cholesterol because it is a scavenger of cholesterol, finding LDL and removing it from the tissues. So we are looking at a supplement/ drug that is lowering our LDL and increasing our HDL, both good things. Niacin as with every other drug has some side effects, the main one being a flushing feeling or redness on the skin. This typically lasts for only a few weeks and will subside. A pharmaceutical dose is anywhere from 2-6 grams a day. This is usually a prescriptive dose. I would err on the lower end of this number or even a bit lower 1-2 grams daily. This is not medical advice, just food for thought. It's all about doing this safely. Eat big, lift big, think safe. Happy growing folks.