Niacin's Role in Heart Health: Surprising Findings and Risks

A study published in Nature Medicine suggests that high blood levels of niacin breakdown products are linked to an elevated risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), independent of known risk factors such as high cholesterol. The study, led by Stanley Hazen, chair of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences at Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute, found that excess niacin intake from fortified foods may be exacerbating cardiovascular disease, increasing risks of heart attacks, strokes, and death. This unexpected link could open up new avenues for treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease.