CLEVELAND, OHIO – A team of researchers from the Cleveland Clinic has made a groundbreaking discovery related to cardiovascular disease. Their study has found a new pathway that contributes to heart disease, linked to excess niacin, also known as vitamin B-3.
The team, led by Dr. Stanley Hazen, identified a byproduct of excess niacin called 4PY, which has been found to be strongly associated with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and vascular inflammation. This groundbreaking research sheds new light on the potential role of niacin in the development of cardiovascular disease.
Published in Nature Medicine, the study details the genetic links between 4PY and vascular inflammation, laying the groundwork for potential new interventions and therapeutics to target and prevent this inflammation. Dr. Hazen, Chair of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences at Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute, emphasizes the potential for diagnostic testing, highlighting the importance of these findings in developing new approaches to counteract the effects of this pathway.
This research also raises questions about the widespread fortification of foods with niacin. While niacin fortification has been mandated in staple foods to prevent nutritional deficiency, the study suggests that one in four individuals may be consuming excessive levels of niacin. Dr. Hazen compares the intake of niacin to filling a bucket with water, with excess niacin leading to the production of metabolites, such as 4PY, which contribute to cardiovascular disease.
Furthermore, the study provides insights into the diminishing use of niacin as a treatment for lowering cholesterol. Despite initially being prescribed to lower LDL or “bad” cholesterol, niacin’s effectiveness has been called into question due to its association with negative effects and higher mortality rates, as shown in previous research.
Moving forward, the research team emphasizes the need for long-term investigations to assess the effect of chronic elevation of 4PY levels on atherosclerosis and other phenotypes. Dr. Hazen and his team continue to follow patients over time and collect blood samples to identify chemical signatures that can predict the development of heart disease.
The implications of this study are far-reaching, as they challenge conventional wisdom about the benefits of niacin and open the door to further research on its impact on cardiovascular health. This groundbreaking research highlights the intricate link between diet, metabolism, and heart disease, paving the way for new approaches to understanding and addressing cardiovascular disease.