Too much vitamin can also do harm.
In 2021, cardiovascular disease claimed the lives of approximately 20.5 million individuals worldwide, representing a significant portion of global mortality.
While certain risk factors for heart disease, such as gender, family history, and ethnicity, remain beyond modification, several preventable causes contribute to cardiovascular disease. These include obesity, high cholesterol levels, hypertension, smoking, poor dietary habits, and inadequate physical activity.
A recent study conducted by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute has shed light on a potentially modifiable risk factor: elevated levels of niacin, a common B vitamin, in the body. Dr. Stanley Hazen, the lead author of the study, explained that the research initially aimed to identify new pathways contributing to heart disease, as many individuals continue to experience cardiovascular events despite managing traditional risk factors.
The study identified a compound called 4PY, linked to future cardiovascular events, which is produced from excess niacin in the body. Further investigation revealed that 4PY contributes to vascular inflammation, a key factor in the development of atherosclerosis.
Niacin, also known as vitamin B-3, plays a crucial role in energy metabolism, skin health, and nervous system function. It is obtained from dietary sources like animal products, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, or through supplements. However, excessive niacin consumption can lead to the production of 4PY, exacerbating vascular inflammation and cardiovascular risk.
Dr. Hazen emphasized that the study’s findings do not suggest eliminating niacin intake entirely, as this would be neither realistic nor beneficial. Instead, the focus should be on understanding and mitigating the pathways leading to excessive niacin metabolism and 4PY production.
Moving forward, further research is needed to explore the link between 4PY and various cardiovascular diseases and to develop targeted therapies to disrupt this pathway and reduce vascular inflammation. This newfound understanding holds promise for addressing cardiovascular disease beyond traditional risk factor management, potentially leading to more effective preventive and therapeutic strategies.
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