Everything in moderation.
Niacin, a crucial B vitamin, has long been regarded as beneficial, but recent research suggests that excessive intake may pose risks to heart health.
Highlighted in the February 19 issue of Nature Medicine, scientists caution that overconsumption of niacin, commonly found in various American dietary staples, can induce inflammation and harm blood vessels. Dr. Stanley Hazen, senior author of the study and chair of cardiovascular and metabolic sciences at the Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute, advises against niacin supplements, as they could potentially elevate the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The recommended daily niacin allowance for men stands at 16 milligrams and 14 milligrams for non-pregnant women, as outlined by the Mayo Clinic. Since the 1940s, when niacin fortification in grains and cereals began, Americans have consistently met their dietary niacin needs. Hazen explains that this fortification initiative aimed to counteract pellagra, a potentially fatal condition linked to niacin deficiency.
Interestingly, niacin supplements were previously prescribed to improve cholesterol levels, highlighting a shift in understanding regarding their effects on heart health.
Dr. Amanda Doran, an assistant professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, acknowledges the unexpected revelation regarding niacin’s potential pro-inflammatory nature, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the study’s approach.
The study, which initially examined blood samples from nearly 1,200 cardiology patients, identified a compound known as 4PY, indicative of excessive niacin levels. Subsequent validation studies involving over 3,000 adults corroborated the link between elevated 4PY levels and heightened risks of heart attack, stroke, and mortality.
Further experiments in mice corroborated these findings, demonstrating increased inflammation in blood vessels upon injection with 4PY. Dr. Robert Rosenson, director of metabolism and lipids at Mount Sinai Health System, emphasizes the significance of these results and hopes for adjustments in the food industry to moderate niacin levels in products like bread, recognizing the potential dangers of excessive niacin intake.
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