Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, plays a crucial role in converting food into energy and is vital for the health of your skin, nerves, and digestive system. It’s a water-soluble vitamin found in a variety of foods such as poultry, nuts, beans, and grains. Niacin is also commonly included in multivitamins and B-complex supplements, and it exists in several forms, including nicotinic acid and nicotinamide (also known as niacinamide). In recent years, niacin’s various forms have gained attention, particularly for their potential benefits in anti-aging supplements, such as the nicotinamide riboside found in Niagen.
As you’ve mentioned using Niagen as an anti-aging supplement, it’s important to understand how this form of niacin might affect your heart health. While niacin in its various forms has been touted for several benefits, including lowering triglycerides and raising good cholesterol (HDL), the story is more nuanced when it comes to its role in heart disease prevention.
Prescription niacin, specifically in high doses, has been used in the past to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. However, studies have shown mixed results, especially when it comes to long-term heart health. High-dose nicotinic acid has not demonstrated a significant reduction in heart attacks, strokes, or overall mortality. A large-scale study involving over 25,000 participants tested niacin alongside statin drugs (widely prescribed for cholesterol control) but found little additional benefit from niacin. This, combined with concerns about side effects, led to the FDA withdrawing approval for niacin as a treatment for heart disease in combination with statins in 2016.
While niacin supplementation has its place in certain therapeutic settings, especially when prescribed under medical supervision for specific health conditions, recent findings have raised further concerns. A study involving around 1,100 people with heart disease found that high blood levels of niacin’s breakdown products were linked to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. However, it’s essential to note that the study didn’t consider participants’ dietary niacin intake, and since it wasn’t a clinical trial, the results cannot conclusively prove a cause-and-effect relationship.
If you’re considering or already taking Niagen, which contains nicotinamide riboside, it’s worth noting that nicotinamide is a milder form of niacin compared to nicotinic acid. It’s generally associated with fewer side effects. At lower doses, such as those found in common multivitamins (usually around 35 mg per day), niacin is considered safe and beneficial for most people. However, at higher doses (500 mg or more), nicotinamide may cause side effects like diarrhea, bruising, and increased bleeding. These side effects are more common when taken in large quantities, and they highlight the importance of using supplements cautiously.
In conclusion, while niacin, including forms like nicotinamide riboside found in Niagen, is not inherently harmful, its effects on heart health are complex. At standard doses, it appears safe for most people, and it’s unlikely to cause harm. However, the role of niacin in heart disease prevention remains a topic of ongoing research, and its use should be carefully considered, especially for individuals with existing heart conditions. As always, if you’re uncertain about how niacin-based supplements might affect your health, it’s a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider to ensure they’re right for you.
