Health
Unveiling Niacin: Overconsumption Linked to Heart Disease Risk
While vitamins and supplements can be beneficial for a variety of health reasons such as boosting collagen production, promoting brain health, or even combating aging, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential risks of overconsumption. A recent study from the Cleveland Clinic has highlighted the potential dangers of excessive intake of vitamin B3, also known as niacin, which is commonly found in supplements and food additives.
The study, which was electronically published in Nature Medicine on February 19, has found a link between high levels of vitamin B3 and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Niacin is naturally present in foods such as poultry, fish, bananas, and nuts. It is also added to processed foods like flour, cereals, and bread to prevent vitamin B3 deficiency, a practice that has been in place since World War II.
However, in today’s society, we rely heavily on processed foods, leading to an overconsumption of niacin. This issue is further exacerbated by the popularity of dietary supplements containing niacin, which often claim to have anti-aging effects that are not scientifically supported, according to Stanley Hazen, PhD, MD, chair of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences in Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute.
“Too much of the vitamin leads to the formation of a blood metabolite called 4PY, which can then trigger inflammation and damage blood vessels,” Hazen explained to CBS News. This was discovered by analyzing plasma from 1,162 patients with stable cardiac disease, where researchers were looking for molecules that could predict major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) without considering other risk factors.
Hazen, who is also co-section head of Preventive Cardiology in Cleveland Clinic’s Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute, expressed his excitement about the findings. “What’s exciting is that this pathway appears to be a previously unrecognized yet significant contributor to the development of cardiovascular disease,” he said. “What’s more, we can measure it, meaning there is potential for diagnostic testing. These insights set the stage for developing new approaches to counteract the effects of this pathway.”
The researchers are optimistic that these findings could influence changes in nutritional policy and promote a more cautious approach to niacin supplements. “For decades, the United States and more than 50 other nations have mandated niacin fortification in staple foods such as flour, cereals and oats to prevent pellagra and other niacin deficiency syndromes,” Hazen said.
While this policy has been successful in preventing nutritional deficiencies and reducing deaths from pellagra, Hazen noted that the fortification of flour and cereal may have inadvertently contributed to the rise in cardiovascular disease over the past 75 years.
However, Hazen emphasized that the solution is not to completely eliminate niacin intake, as that would not be a realistic or healthy approach. Instead, he stressed the importance of consulting with a healthcare provider about vitamin B3 supplementation.
“Patients should consult with their doctors before taking over-the-counter supplements and focus on a diet rich in fruit and vegetables while avoiding excess carbohydrates,” he concluded. Always remember to consult your healthcare provider directly for any health-related questions or concerns.
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