Tag: Vitamin b3 toxicity

According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, average daily niacin intake from food and beverages for American adults is 31.4 mg for men and 21.3 mg for women, with most people consuming more than the Recommended Dietary Allowance. While toxicity from dietary niacin is rare, excessive intake from supplements can lead to a range of mild to severe side effects and health complications.

While niacin is vital for converting food into energy, experts warn that high-dose supplements can trigger side effects ranging from mild flushing to severe liver damage. Understanding what happens if you get too much niacin is crucial for anyone considering high-dose B3 supplementation.

High doses of niacin, often taken to manage cholesterol, have been shown to cause adverse ocular side effects in some individuals, including the development of blurry vision. This visual disturbance is linked to a condition known as niacin-induced maculopathy, which can occur even with seemingly low doses.

Excess vitamin B3, also known as niacin, is typically excreted by the body in urine because it is water-soluble. While the body does not store large amounts, high supplemental doses can overwhelm this excretion process, leading to various side effects and potentially serious health complications.