Taking large amounts of a common vitamin can lead to vision loss and liver damage

Vitamins and supplements are part of many of our regimens. Therefore, when you are trying to live a long and healthy life, it is very important to get the right nutrients. However, studies show that taking too much of certain vitamins, such as niacin, can have potentially harmful side effects. What is this vitamin and why it can not be taken a lot, said the publication Yahoo!.

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What is niacin

Niacin is part of the B group of vitamins, also called vitamin B3. It plays a role in the functioning of our nervous system and metabolism by helping us turn the food we eat into energy. Our cells need niacin to function and develop.

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Niacin has been shown to be a powerful nutrient for heart health. Doctors sometimes prescribe niacin supplements along with statins to help people struggling with high cholesterol. For this reason, niacin supplements are often advertised as good for the heart, and many choose to self-medicate with niacin. However, this might not be such a smart move.

Effects of Too Much Niacin

Unfortunately, it is possible to take so much niacin that this nutrient becomes toxic to your body. For adult women, the recommended dose is 14 milligrams (mg) per day. However, popular supplements often contain up to 500 mg in a single dose.

In one study, a team of doctors from the New York Eye Hospital treated a 61-year-old man who came to them with complaints of sudden loss of vision. An initial test of his vision showed that he was almost completely blind. The patient told doctors about his medical history, including high cholesterol levels, but did not initially tell them that he was taking nicotinic acid, which he had prescribed to himself. Once he told the doctors about the extensive list of supplements he was taking, they were able to deduce that the patient had been consuming three to six grams of niacin per day for several months and surmised that this was causing his vision problems.

The medical team took pictures of the patient's retina to confirm that niacin causes cell damage, and they were able to diagnose a rare toxic reaction called niacin-induced maculopathy. In this condition, fluid builds up in the macula—a small area in the center of the retina—and causes swelling of the eye and, as a result, blurred vision. Fortunately, the team found that stopping the vitamin reversed this effect and restored the patient's vision.

Niacin in high doses has also been linked to other adverse health effects. Taking 1000 mg of the supplement per day can cause headaches, dizziness, low blood pressure, high blood sugar, nausea, heartburn, and stomach pain. Higher doses can cause more serious health problems such as muscle damage, stomach ulcers, and even liver damage.

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Because niacin is an essential nutrient, you need to make sure you're getting enough of it, even if you're not taking supplements. To do this, just make sure your diet includes foods like poultry, fish, avocados, peanuts, mushrooms, brown rice, and whole wheat products.

So one more reminder: While supplements aren't as regulated as regular medications, it's very important to talk to your doctor about any vitamins you're taking. More isn't always better, and keeping certain nutrient levels within safe limits is just as important as getting enough of them.

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