Common Supplement May Increase Risk of Heart Disease, Study Finds

Moderation is always a key factor when it comes to determining whether a certain substance is good or bad for you. Too little of a specific vitamin can result in deficiencies, while too much can present its own array of issues. A lack of niacin (a B vitamin), for example, can lead to diseases such as pellagra. [1] This is why the U.S. food industry has added niacin to products such as bread, corn, and flour products for decades now. However, a study from earlier this year has revealed that excess niacin intake has been linked to an increase in heart diseases. 

The Study on the Adverse Effects of Excess B Vitamins

According to the study published in Nature Medicine, an excess of this B vitamin triggers inflammation and damages blood vessels. Niacin is found in many foods that people consume on a daily basis, including fish, nuts, meat, and fortified breads and cereals. [2] Nutritionists recommend that the daily allowance of niacin is 16 milligrams for men and 14 milligrams for women. However, around 1 out of every 4 people in America consume higher than the daily recommended amount of niacin. 

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How Much Niacin Is Too Much?

The truth of the matter is that researchers are still unsure exactly where to draw the line when it comes to niacin amounts. Yet, considering what this study reveals, it is better to play it safe and not consume high amounts of this B vitamin. According to the current study, high niacin may offset some of the benefits of lower doses of niacin, such as boosting the nervous system. The average person does not require taking niacin supplements, and overdoing it increases your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. The average American diet already provides ample sources of this B vitamin because grains, cereals, and flour have already been fortified with it since the 1940s! The decision was made to fortify foodstuffs with niacin ever since researchers discovered that a B vitamin deficiency was causing pellagra. 

A Shift in View

This B vitamin was not only used in the past to try and combat pellagra, though. In fact, niacin supplements were even prescribed to help improve cholesterol levels before cholesterol-lowering statins were developed. [3] However, as researchers uncover the risk factors of excess niacin, their view of the B vitamin has begun to shift. A multi-part study was designed, which included the analysis of 1,162 patients’ blood samples. People ingesting prescription or over-the-counter niacin medications were excluded from this investigation. The aim was to identify common markers in the samples which could reveal these unknown risk factors. 

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The Results of the B Vitamin Study

The researchers discovered a particular substance in a few of the samples that is only produced when there is an excess of niacin. That prompted two more studies, which included data from 3,163 individuals who had heart disease or potentially had it. These studies revealed that 4PY, a niacin breakdown product, predicted the patients’ future risk of strokes and heart attacks.

Niacin and Experiments with Mice

The final part of this research project involved mouse trials. When these laboratory animals were injected with 4PY, there was increased inflammation in their blood vessels. The results could potentially lead to the development of a new medication that can reduce inflammation in blood vessels. Additionally, it would decrease the chances of suffering a major cardiovascular event. The researchers hope that their findings will encourage the food industry to use less niacin in their products. It could also influence the recommended dietary allowance for this B vitamin. 

The Findings Were Unexpected to Many Doctors

Many doctors were surprised when they learned that niacin can raise the risk of heart disease. This includes the assistant professor of medicine in the division of cardiovascular medicine at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Dr Amanda Doran. “I don’t think anyone would have predicted that niacin would have been pro-inflammatory,” Dr Doran said to NBC News. However, this is a unique and powerful study since it combines several techniques including genetic, clinical, and mouse trial data. 

The Bottom Line on Niacin

While Niacin is required for a healthy nervous system, most individuals get enough of this B vitamin in their diet. This is because many foodstuffs, such as flour and bread, are already fortified with niacin. However, the results of this study may encourage the food industry to use less of this vitamin in their products. Until they have figured out exactly what healthy levels of niacin are, it is better to play it safe. Therefore, you should stay away from supplements that contain high levels of niacin. Preventing deficiencies is a good thing, but only if the vitamins you use are not causing more damage than good! 

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