Is Vitamin B3 (Niacin) safe?
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Summary
6 papers analyzed
These studies suggest that Vitamin B3 (Niacin) is generally safe when used in low doses and with gradual increases, although high doses or improper use can lead to significant adverse effects, and more research is needed to fully understand the safety of its precursors like nicotinamide riboside.
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Introduction
Vitamin B3, also known as niacin, is a nutrient that plays a vital role in metabolism and energy production. While it is essential for health, the safety of its supplementation, particularly in high doses, has been a subject of research.
Key Insights from Research Papers
- High doses of niacin can lead to significant adverse effects such as skin manifestations, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, hepatotoxicity, metabolic acidosis, hypoglycemia, and QT(C)-interval prolongation, which are reversible upon cessation of use.
- Nicotinamide riboside (NR), a form of vitamin B3, has been found to be non-genotoxic and safe at certain levels, with no observed adverse effects at a dose of 300 mg/kg/day in rat studies.
- Niacin has been used for decades with no severe toxicities reported; however, side effects such as flushing, hepatic toxicity, hyperglycemia, gout, and rare retinal macular edema are dose-dependent and reversible with timely discontinuation.
- Therapeutic doses of FDA-approved niacin formulations are considered safe, improve lipid profiles, and reduce atherosclerosis progression, but their use in combination with statins for low HDL cholesterol is not supported by clinical outcome trials.
- While some forms of vitamin B3 have been granted Generally Recognised as Safe status by the US FDA, the safety data for some NAD+ precursors are limited, and further testing similar to drug development is suggested.
- Niacin and niacinamide have been used in large doses for certain conditions like schizophrenia and chronic pellagra, with the understanding of potential side effects, which are generally considered non-toxic.
Conclusion
Vitamin B3 (niacin) is generally safe when used in approved therapeutic doses, with side effects that are typically reversible upon discontinuation. However, high doses can lead to serious adverse effects. Some forms of vitamin B3, such as nicotinamide riboside, have been found to be safe at specific doses in animal studies. Long-term use and higher doses require careful consideration of potential side effects and should be monitored by healthcare professionals.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
6
Negative and Positive Side Effects of Vitamin B3
6
1 Citations
2003
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