Niacin, or vitamin B3, is found in foods and can also be used as an inexpensive supplement. Studies in the 1970s (Coronary Drug Project) showed that supplemental niacin used in heart patients improved outcomes, presumably due to the favorable impact on cholesterol. In the last decade, supplemental niacin has become less popular for use to control cholesterol particles but is still an effective option selected at the Kahn Center, particularly for patients with an elevated Lipoprotein (a).
Recently, researchers at the Cleveland Clinic raised questions about the safety of even the small doses of niacin added to food items to prevent pellagra.
A new study recently published examined its dietary intake and heart outcomes. The results are reassuring.
NIACIN STUDY
From 2003 to 2018, the researchers continually investigated updated information from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Based on the quartiles of niacin intake levels, four distinct categories of participants were established: Q1 (<14.646 mg), Q2 (14.646-21.302 mg), Q3 (21.302-30.401 mg), and Q4 (>30.401 mg).
RESULTS
The cohort analysis included 80,312 participants for the assessment of dietary intake.
Comparing the Q1 (lowest intake) to the Q4 (highest intake) dataset in the overall population, there was an 18% lower all-cause mortality and a 20% mortality owing to cardiovascular disease in the highest niacin group.
When the data was analyzed by gender, niacin intake benefited women but was not significantly correlated with prevalence, all-cause mortality, or death from cardiovascular disease in males.
CONCLUSIONS
Higher niacin consumption was correlated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and death from all causes across the entire study population. Nevertheless, only females, and not males, exhibited a beneficial effect on mortality when the data was analyzed by gender. It is unclear why women seemed to have an advantage over men in terms of niacin.
Niacin is widely available over the counter and inexpensive. The safest forms seem to be the immediate release form, often bringing on an intense flushing, and extended-release forms like Endur-acid are used at the Kahn Center and better tolerated. We have observed major drops in both cholesterol and Lipoprotein(a) levels with even low doses of niacin. Careful attention to side effects and follow-up labs for liver enzymes, uric acid, and blood sugar are suggested. At the Kahn Center, we usually use niacin without concomitant statin medications.
It is reassuring to note the lower cardiovascular outcomes related to dietary niacin intake. The data are consistent with the Coronary Drug Project and other pioneering studies done decades ago.
About the author: Dr. Joel Kahn is one of the world’s top cardiologists and he is passionate about scientifically showing the body’s ability to heal itself through proper nutrition. He is on a mission to try to prevent heart disease and all future heart attacks by educating and inspiring people to follow an active and holistic lifestyle by applying cutting-edge science to their lives.
At his core, Dr. Joel Kahn believes that plant-based nutrition is the most powerful source of preventative medicine on the planet. Having practiced traditional cardiology since 1983, it was only after his own commitment to a plant-based vegan diet that Dr. Kahn truly began to delve into the realm of non-traditional diagnostic tools, prevention tactics, and nutrition-based recovery protocols.
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https://www.kahnlongevitycenter.com/blog/can-dietary-niacin-reduce-the-risk-of-heart-disease
