Many substances are referred to as vitamins. Many of these substances are clearly not vitamins, as they are not essential for life. Some, such as choline, may one day be called vitamins. While not essential for life, some of these substances may enhance health and disease resistance. Many of these “wanna B’s” can be found in nutritional supplements.
CHOLINE
Choline is an essential nutrient that may not, strictly speaking, be a vitamin. Choline is synthesized in the body, but enough is not always made to meet needs. In order to make choline, the body needs sufficient methionine, vitamin B12, and folic acid. Consequently, choline is sometimes needed in the diet. Lecithin (phosphatidylcholine) contains about 13 percent choline by weight.
Most of the choline in the body is found in phospholipids. All human cell membranes need phospholipids for structural integrity. Choline is also a precursor for acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is an important neurotransmitter involved in muscle control, and memory. Large doses of lecithin have improved memory, but have not been helpful with Alzheimer’s disease.Without choline to make lecithin, the liver cannot rid itself of fats and cholesterol.
This can lead to a condition known as “fatty liver.” Choline is needed for liver health and liver damage results from deficiency. Some choline is oxidized in the body to a metabolite known as betaine. Betaine supplies methyl groups for various methylation reactions. One of these methylation reactions results in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine.
No RDA has been set for choline, but the adequate daily intake (AI) has been set at 550 mg for men and 425 mg for women. Average dietary intake is thought to be adequate. Healthy food sources include Brussels sprouts, broccoli, peanut butter, and salmon. Choline supplements are available as choline chloride and choline bitartrate. Lecithin is a good source of choline and contains 13 percent choline. Commercially available lecithin products may only contain 3–12 percent of choline because they often contain impure lecithin. The tolerable upper intake level for choline is 3.5 grams per day for adults. Very high levels of choline can disturb the neurotransmitter balance in the brain.
L-CARNITINE
L-carnitine is an essential nutrient that is also synthesized in well-nourished bodies. L-carnitine is a derivative of the essential amino acid lysine. L-carnitine was named after meat (carnus) because it was first isolated from meat in 1905. Although it is not officially a vitamin, carnitine has been called vitamin BT.
L-carnitine is important in energy metabolism. It assists activated fatty acids into the mitochondria for energy production. It also assists in transporting metabolic debris out of the mitochondria. L-carnitine synthesis in the body requires several nutrients to be successful. Needed for synthesis are methionine, lysine, iron, vitamin B6, niacin, and vitamin C. One of the early symptoms of vitamin C deficiency is fatigue, which may be related to decreased synthesis of L-carnitine.
ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID
Alpha-lipoic acid is a naturally occurring compound that is synthesized in small amounts in the body. Alpha-lipoic acid is needed for several important mitochondrial enzyme complexes for energy production and the breakdown of amino acids. An antioxidant itself, alpha-lipoic acid is able to recharge other antioxidants such as vitamin C and glutathione. Lipoic acid, like thiamin and biotin, contains sulfur. Alpha-lipoic acid is approved for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy and is available by prescription in Germany.
BIOFLAVONOIDS
Bioflavonoids (or just flavonoids) have been referred to as vitamin P. Bioflavonoids are not vitamins and are not essential for life. Bioflavonoids are excellent antioxidants found in many plant foods. As potent antioxidants, they protect us from arterial damage and cancer formation. Parsley and elderberry have the highest content of bioflavonoids.
COENZYME Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is not a vitamin, but plays many necessary biological roles in the body. It can be synthesized in the body and so it cannot be considered a vitamin. It is a powerful fat-soluble antioxidant found in virtually all cell membranes. Coenzyme Q10 is needed for mitochondrial energy production.
INOSITOL
Inositol can be made in the body from glucose, so it is not a vitamin. Inositol consumption from the average diet is about one gram daily. In the form of phosphatidylinositol, inositol makes up a small but important part of cell mem branes. Inositol is widely found in cereals and legumes and is a component of dietary fiber.
OROTIC ACID
Orotic acid is sometimes known as vitamin B13 and is sometimes supplemented as calcium orotate. Orotic acid has not been proven to be essential for human nutrition so it is not officially a vitamin. Its functions are similar to vitamin B12 and it enhances the usefulness of vitamin B12 and folate. Many of the vitamin-like effects of orotic acid are undoubtedly due to its role in RNA and DNA synthesis. Orotic acid acts as one of the best mineral transporters. It is able to transport minerals such as calcium though the cell membrane and directly to the mitochondria.
PARA-AMINOBENZOIC ACID (PABA)
Para-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA) is sometimes referred to as a B vitamin. It is not a vitamin and is not essential for nutrition. It is a non-protein amino acid. PABA is found in many sunscreen lotions.
VITAMIN B15
Vitamin B15 has not been established as necessary for human nutrition and is not a vitamin. In the form of dimethylglycine it may enhance oxygen transport to the mitochondria.
VITAMIN B17
Vitamin B17 (amygdalin) is not a vitamin. It is not necessary for human nutrition. It is found in apricot kernels and other nuts and seeds. It has been used for tumor therapy with much criticism and controversy.
VITAMIN F
Vitamin F has been one alternate name for the essential fatty acids (linoleic acid and linolenic acid). Since these fatty acids are not synthesized in the body and are required in the diet they may someday be considered vitamins. They are essential for life.
VITAMIN T
Vitamin T is not a vitamin, but a nutritional component of sesame seeds.
VITAMIN U
Vitamin U is not a vitamin, but an anti-ulcer factor in cabbage.
CHOLINE
Choline is an essential nutrient that may not, strictly speaking, be a vitamin. Choline is synthesized in the body, but enough is not always made to meet needs. In order to make choline, the body needs sufficient methionine, vitamin B12, and folic acid. Consequently, choline is sometimes needed in the diet. Lecithin (phosphatidylcholine) contains about 13 percent choline by weight.
Most of the choline in the body is found in phospholipids. All human cell membranes need phospholipids for structural integrity. Choline is also a precursor for acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is an important neurotransmitter involved in muscle control, and memory. Large doses of lecithin have improved memory, but have not been helpful with Alzheimer’s disease.Without choline to make lecithin, the liver cannot rid itself of fats and cholesterol.
This can lead to a condition known as “fatty liver.” Choline is needed for liver health and liver damage results from deficiency. Some choline is oxidized in the body to a metabolite known as betaine. Betaine supplies methyl groups for various methylation reactions. One of these methylation reactions results in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine.
No RDA has been set for choline, but the adequate daily intake (AI) has been set at 550 mg for men and 425 mg for women. Average dietary intake is thought to be adequate. Healthy food sources include Brussels sprouts, broccoli, peanut butter, and salmon. Choline supplements are available as choline chloride and choline bitartrate. Lecithin is a good source of choline and contains 13 percent choline. Commercially available lecithin products may only contain 3–12 percent of choline because they often contain impure lecithin. The tolerable upper intake level for choline is 3.5 grams per day for adults. Very high levels of choline can disturb the neurotransmitter balance in the brain.
L-CARNITINE
L-carnitine is an essential nutrient that is also synthesized in well-nourished bodies. L-carnitine is a derivative of the essential amino acid lysine. L-carnitine was named after meat (carnus) because it was first isolated from meat in 1905. Although it is not officially a vitamin, carnitine has been called vitamin BT.
L-carnitine is important in energy metabolism. It assists activated fatty acids into the mitochondria for energy production. It also assists in transporting metabolic debris out of the mitochondria. L-carnitine synthesis in the body requires several nutrients to be successful. Needed for synthesis are methionine, lysine, iron, vitamin B6, niacin, and vitamin C. One of the early symptoms of vitamin C deficiency is fatigue, which may be related to decreased synthesis of L-carnitine.
ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID
Alpha-lipoic acid is a naturally occurring compound that is synthesized in small amounts in the body. Alpha-lipoic acid is needed for several important mitochondrial enzyme complexes for energy production and the breakdown of amino acids. An antioxidant itself, alpha-lipoic acid is able to recharge other antioxidants such as vitamin C and glutathione. Lipoic acid, like thiamin and biotin, contains sulfur. Alpha-lipoic acid is approved for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy and is available by prescription in Germany.
BIOFLAVONOIDS
Bioflavonoids (or just flavonoids) have been referred to as vitamin P. Bioflavonoids are not vitamins and are not essential for life. Bioflavonoids are excellent antioxidants found in many plant foods. As potent antioxidants, they protect us from arterial damage and cancer formation. Parsley and elderberry have the highest content of bioflavonoids.
COENZYME Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is not a vitamin, but plays many necessary biological roles in the body. It can be synthesized in the body and so it cannot be considered a vitamin. It is a powerful fat-soluble antioxidant found in virtually all cell membranes. Coenzyme Q10 is needed for mitochondrial energy production.
INOSITOL
Inositol can be made in the body from glucose, so it is not a vitamin. Inositol consumption from the average diet is about one gram daily. In the form of phosphatidylinositol, inositol makes up a small but important part of cell mem branes. Inositol is widely found in cereals and legumes and is a component of dietary fiber.
OROTIC ACID
Orotic acid is sometimes known as vitamin B13 and is sometimes supplemented as calcium orotate. Orotic acid has not been proven to be essential for human nutrition so it is not officially a vitamin. Its functions are similar to vitamin B12 and it enhances the usefulness of vitamin B12 and folate. Many of the vitamin-like effects of orotic acid are undoubtedly due to its role in RNA and DNA synthesis. Orotic acid acts as one of the best mineral transporters. It is able to transport minerals such as calcium though the cell membrane and directly to the mitochondria.
PARA-AMINOBENZOIC ACID (PABA)
Para-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA) is sometimes referred to as a B vitamin. It is not a vitamin and is not essential for nutrition. It is a non-protein amino acid. PABA is found in many sunscreen lotions.
VITAMIN B15
Vitamin B15 has not been established as necessary for human nutrition and is not a vitamin. In the form of dimethylglycine it may enhance oxygen transport to the mitochondria.
VITAMIN B17
Vitamin B17 (amygdalin) is not a vitamin. It is not necessary for human nutrition. It is found in apricot kernels and other nuts and seeds. It has been used for tumor therapy with much criticism and controversy.
VITAMIN F
Vitamin F has been one alternate name for the essential fatty acids (linoleic acid and linolenic acid). Since these fatty acids are not synthesized in the body and are required in the diet they may someday be considered vitamins. They are essential for life.
VITAMIN T
Vitamin T is not a vitamin, but a nutritional component of sesame seeds.
VITAMIN U
Vitamin U is not a vitamin, but an anti-ulcer factor in cabbage.
More about B-Vitamins:
0 comments