BEWARE OF VITAMIN B3!
Niacin could be no-no for heart
IN A stunning reversal, niacin, which was once prescribed to prevent cardiovascular disease, may actually increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke! A shocking Cleveland Clinic study found high levels of niacin — also known as vitamin B3 — can contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease.
The vitamin is a popular supplement and is also used to fortify many everyday foods — and before the development of statins and other drugs, it was the go-to treatment for lowering LDL, or “bad” cholesterol! “What’s exciting is this appears to be a previously unrecognized yet significant contributor to cardiovascular disease,” says the Cleveland Clinic’s Dr. Stanley Hazen. “What’s more, we can measure it, meaning there is potential for diagnostic testing.” His team discovered elevated levels of 4PY, a breakdown product of excess niacin, was strongly associated with the development of heart attacks, stroke and other adverse cardiac events because it damages blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis, aka hardening or blocking of the arteries.
Niacin is found naturally in meat, fish, poultry, avocado and mushrooms. It has also become a popular supplement because of its possible anti-aging benefits.
In addition, for decades it has been used to fortify foods including flour and cereals to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
Yet one in four of the 1,162 study participants had high levels of 4PY, evidence they were consuming too much of the micronutrient.
“The main takeaway is not that we should cut our entire intake of niacin — that’s not realistic,” says Hazen. Instead, he recommends consulting with your doctor before taking niacin supplements.
In another major discovery, it was found consuming too much protein can also be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine research showed that people who get over 22 percent of their daily calories from protein can experience an increased activation of immune cells that play a role in plaque formation in arteries, increasing their risk of cardiovascular disease. Nearly a quarter of people get over 22 percent of their daily calories from protein.
“Dialing up your protein intake could be doing real damage to your arteries,” warns Dr. Babak Razani of the University of Pittsburgh.