A vitamin that is abundantly available in food items is now being linked to fatal diseases. According to a recent study, high levels of vitamin B3, commonly known as “niacin”, could potentially increase the risk of severe health conditions such as stroke and heart attack. The findings of this study have been published in the renowned journal, Nature Medicine.
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The study was conducted by scientists from Cleveland, USA, who have discovered a significant link between the molecule PY4, a byproduct of excess niacin, and cardiovascular disease. Dr. Stanley Hazen, director of the Center for Human Health at the Cleveland Medical Center and leader of the research team, emphasizes the significance of this discovery. He states, “The findings are important because they reveal a link between a factor that was not known to be dangerous but may be significant in the risk of cardiovascular disease.” This new knowledge could potentially pave the way for novel strategies to study the impact of niacin on the heart and blood vessels.
In the study, blood samples were taken from 4,235 individuals across the US and Europe. The researchers discovered that two molecules, which are formed from the breakdown of excess vitamin B3, have the potential to increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Further studies on humans and mice revealed that one of the breakdown products of the vitamin can boost the levels of pro-inflammatory proteins in the cells lining the walls of blood vessels. This suggests a possible mechanism through which the vitamin increases the risk.
Vitamin B3 is crucial for human health. Deficiency of this vitamin can lead to a fatal disease known as pellagra. Symptoms of pellagra include fatigue, sensitivity to sunlight, skin infections, digestive system problems, confusion, and if left untreated, can lead to dementia and premature death. Vitamin B3 can be found in various food items such as meat, eggs, dairy products, grains, nuts, and legumes.
Since the 1940s, over 50 states in the US have mandated food companies to enrich staple foods like flour, grains, and oats with niacin to prevent nutritional deficiencies. For years, niacin has been used as a treatment for high cholesterol levels. Over-the-counter nutritional supplements containing this vitamin have been widely sold as dietary supplements with claims of reducing fat and combating aging.
However, the recent findings are concerning as data from the US shows that the average American consumes approximately 48 milligrams of niacin daily, which is about three times the suggested daily intake of vitamin B3 (16 milligrams per person). According to the researchers, these findings may initiate a debate on whether the ongoing practice of enriching flour and cereals with niacin is justified. Meanwhile, the researchers advise against the consumption of food supplements containing niacin, including vitamins, without proper consultation with a physician.
