Niacin Skin Flush Backs-From the Roots of the Test to Nowadays Hope

The niacin skin flush test (NSFT) is a simple method used to assess the content of fatty acids in cell membranes and is a possible indicator of factors hidden behind various outcomes in patients. The purpose of this paper is to determine the potential usefulness of NSFT in mental disorder diagnostics along with the determination of factors that may affect its results. The authors reviewed articles from 1977 onwards, focusing on the history, variety of methodologies, influencing factors, and proposed mechanisms underlying its performance. Research indicated that NSFT could be applicable in early intervention, staging in psychiatry, and the search for new therapeutic methods and drugs based on the mechanisms of NSFT action. The NSFT can contribute to defining an individualized diet for patients and prevent the development of damaging disease effects at an early stage. There is promising evidence for supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids, which have a beneficial influence on the metabolic profile and are effective even in the subclinical phase of the disease. NSFT can contribute to the new classification of diseases and a better understanding of certain mental disorders' pathophysiology. However, there is a need to establish a validated method for assessing the NSFT results.

Automated summary

The niacin skin flush test (NSFT) is a simple method for assessing fatty acid content in cell membranes and may serve as an indicator of underlying factors in patients. This paper aims to determine the potential usefulness of NSFT in mental disorder diagnostics and identify factors that may affect its results. Research suggests that NSFT can aid in early intervention, psychiatric staging, and the development of new therapeutic methods based on its mechanisms. It can also contribute to personalized diets for patients and has potential benefits in the subclinical phase of the disease. However, further validation of NSFT is needed.