Reducing niacin intake can prevent obesity

[DavidDvorkin]

Yet another possible cause of rising obesity in kids, apart from diet and exercise.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-05/wjog-rni052010.php

[dmallind]

1. Yet niacin helps reduce cholesterol. Heart attack either way eh? NT

[bananas]

5. No, this study is on nicotinamide, which doesn't reduce cholesterol

There's a big difference between "nicotinic acid" and "nicotinamide":

nicotinamide does not have the same pharmacological effects as niacin, which occur as side-effects of niacin's conversion. Nicotinamide does not reduce cholesterol or cause flushing.<1> Nicotinamide may be toxic to the liver at doses exceeding 3 g/day for adults.<2>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niacin

Niacin, also known as vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid, is an organic compound with the formula C5H4NCO2H. (It has historically been referred to as "vitamin PP".) This colourless, water-soluble solid is a derivative of pyridine, with a carboxyl group (COOH) at the 3-position. Other forms of vitamin B3 include the corresponding amide, nicotinamide ("niacinamide"), where the carboxyl group has been replaced by a carboxamide group (CONH2), as well as more complex amides and a variety of esters. The terms niacin, nicotinamide, and vitamin B3 are often used interchangeably to refer to any member of this family of compounds, since they have the same biochemical activity.

Niacin is converted to nicotinamide and then to NAD and NADP in vivo. Although the two are identical in their vitamin activity, nicotinamide does not have the same pharmacological effects as niacin, which occur as side-effects of niacin's conversion. Nicotinamide does not reduce cholesterol or cause flushing.<1> Nicotinamide may be toxic to the liver at doses exceeding 3 g/day for adults.<2>

[dmallind]

7. I stand corrected - did not look deep enough past title. thanks! NT

[unpossibles]

2. still related to diet and exercise though

"Reducing niacin intake and facilitating niacin elimination through sweat-inducing physical activity may be a key factor in the prevention and treatment of obesity."

http://www.hoptechno.com/book29i.htm

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. The seems to indicate that eating too much fortified foods

can result in niacin overload.
Lots of "foods" that kids eat are "fortified" : milk, juice, bread, etc.
As with most nutrients, over or under use can create a problem.

[Kingofalldems]

4. I take prescription niacin for raising good cholesterol

Now this?

[louis-t]

6. I have been taking niacin (100 mg)

every single day since I was 18. I am now 53. I have a family history of high cholesterol, heart disease and death by heart attack from clogged arteries as early as 54 years old. My father was 1 day shy of his 56th birthday when he died. I recently had a heart scan done. Even though my LDL is high and the HDL is on the low side, there is not 1 speck of plaque in my arteries. I've also been a smoker for 35 years. Oh, I am also 5' 8", 145 pounds soaking wet.