“Give me some greed pills. And more, more!” – This is how many people buy vitamins now. After a cloudy winter, having suffered more than once from colds and Covid, advertising definitely advises strengthening the body with dietary supplements. Among the most popular are the B vitamins, including B3. It is also known as niacin. On social media, beauty and health gurus praise food supplements containing this ingredient. “The hair becomes thicker and graying is inhibited!” “The skin starts to glow, the nails stop breaking.” Many biohackers, fighters for rejuvenation and life extension, consider niacin to be an anti-aging agent. That is, slow down aging.
And dietary supplements with vitamin B3 are actively recommended for those who want to protect their blood vessels and heart. They say that this is an excellent remedy for the prevention of heart diseases. Because niacin reduces the level of “bad” cholesterol and at the same time increases the level of “good” cholesterol that the body needs.
Sounds inspiring. But… The latest scientific research discredits all these optimistic hopes.
THE NIACIN PARADOX
“Some time ago, niacin was included in the clinical recommendations for dyslipidemia (that is, in the instructions on how to treat patients with “bad” cholesterol levels out of scale. – Ed.), – explains the cardiologist, presenter of the Telegram channel “Doctor’s Diary” Irina Vasilyeva “But research is being carried out and recommendations are changing.
Today, niacin (another name is nicotinic acid) is not considered an effective supplement to combat high cholesterol, experts point out. Furthermore, it is recognized to be dangerous for cardiac patients.
“Niacin actually lowers the level of total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins (“bad” cholesterol), says Dr. Vasilyeva. – However, clinical studies have shown that, despite this, niacin increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
How can this be? The paradox is explained by the fact that the substances that are formed as a result of the processing of niacin in our body… cause inflammation of blood vessels! And thus increase the risk of suffering cardiovascular accidents, heart attacks and strokes. A scientific article on the dangerous effects of taking niacin supplements was recently published in the prestigious international scientific journal Nature Medicine.
Today, niacin (another name is nicotinic acid) is not considered an effective supplement for combating high cholesterol.
Photo: Shutterstock
ASKING QUESTIONS
What should patients do now?
“I want to warn you once again against the use of dietary supplements,” emphasizes cardiologist Irina Vasilyeva.
A proven, safe and effective means of combating high cholesterol levels are long-known drugs – various drugs from the statin group. Their types and doses are strictly in accordance with medical indications, after examination the doctor selects them.
“Niacin supplements are also marketed with claims of anti-aging effects, arthritis relief, and improved brain function, none of which have been proven!” adds Dr. Vasilyeva.
Doctors recommend eating well to obtain the vitamins that the body needs from food. Thus, liver, meat and legumes are rich in niacin. There is no risk of overdose with the products. If a person has problems with digestion and absorption of nutrients, vitamins may be prescribed in the form of preparations. But! Only after the deficiency of specific vitamins is confirmed by a blood test.
STAY IN CONTACT
What other vitamin supplements can cause harm?
Today there are four vitamins that, if taken without control (without medical indication, in excessive doses) can cause serious damage to the body.
These are: vitamins A, D, B3 (niacin) and B6.
Dietary supplements and medications containing these vitamins should be taken strictly under two conditions:
– you have a proven deficiency of this vitamin (determined by a blood test);
– the appropriate dosage has been selected and prescribed by a doctor (and not by an amateur beauty and rejuvenation consultant).
