The beginning of the twentieth century was marked by many discoveries in the field of medicine. It was then that the main vitamins necessary for the full existence of the human body were studied and classified. But science does not stand still. Numerous studies have resulted in additional substances that are similar in properties to vitamins, the so-called "pseudo-vitamins" or vitamin-like substances.
Definition
"Pseudovitamins" are substances of animal and vegetable origin, which have an extremely complex structure and are most often preserved only in their natural form, which makes them unlikely to be included in vitamin-mineral complexes created under industrial conditions. Nevertheless, they are also necessary for the normal functioning of the human body, although their deficiency is not so critical and does not lead to dangerous disorders in the body (however, the creators of dietary supplements and representatives of alternative medicine claimvital need for such substances and compounds).
In most cases, vitamin-like substances come from food or are independently produced in the body, are included in the tissues of internal organs and are non-toxic - that is, they are not dangerous in large quantities.
Functions
The main functions of vitamin-like compounds are:
- active participation in metabolism along with important amino acids and any fatty acids;
- catalyze and increase overall exposure of all vitamins;
- anabolic action - an increase in the amount of synthesized proteins that affect the rate of muscle growth;
- Prevention and control of disease states caused by a lack of certain substances.
Classification
All vitamin-like substances (as well as vitamins) are divided into two classes:
- Fat-soluble - vitamin F and fatty acids.
- Water soluble - vitamins B, H, U, carnitine, bioflavonoids and lipoic acid - vitamin N.
These are vitamin-like substances. A table with a complete list and the products in which they are contained will be presented below.
The classification changes from time to time, and some names are considered obsolete, such as vitamin F.
The reason for this is new data in the field of the functioning of the human body, since vitamin-like compounds are a little-studied area due to the complexity of determining their activity and the influence of variousdiseases on the processes of synthesis of such substances. For example, if the pancreas malfunctions, the production and absorption of "pseudovitamins" almost completely stops, which leads to the fact that a person needs to take vitamins, vitamin-like substances are prescribed less frequently.
Views
There are a lot of vitamin-like substances, but the main ones are the following:
- Lipoic acid, or vitamin U.
- Choline, or vitamin B4.
- Inositol, or vitamin B8.
- Carnitine, or vitamin B11.
- Para-aminobenzoic acid, or vitamin B10.
And this is not a complete list. Biochemistry describes vitamin-like substances in detail. The table gives an idea of their sources.
Methylmethionine sulfonium chloride (vitamin U)
Appearance: crystalline whitish-yellow powder with a characteristic odor, highly soluble in water (does not change its structure in alcohol or solvents) and decomposes on exposure to sunlight.
Vitamin was discovered in the 50s of the last century by an American biologist during the study of cabbage juice as a cure for stomach ulcers. At that time, the difference between vitamins and vitamin-like biologically active substances had not yet been studied.
Vitamin U is useful because:
- absorbs harmful and dangerous substances;
- participates in the process of producing another substance - choline;
- actively involved in regenerationtissues after ulcers and erosion of the gastric mucosa, preventing excessive production of gastric juice;
- reduces gastric acidity;
- reduces symptoms of food allergies (nausea, diarrhea);
- relieves asthma attack and lacrimation in all types of plant pollen allergy;
- activates the metabolism of fats and cholesterol.
That's what vitamin-like substances are good for. Biochemistry as a science deals with the study of these beneficial properties.
The body's daily requirement for this substance is 200 mg.
Next, consider the following vitamin-like substance.
Choline (vitamin B4)
Choline is rightfully considered one of the "pioneers" of vitamin substances, since it was discovered back in the 60s of the XIX century, although full-fledged studies of its properties took place a century later.
Choline is readily soluble in water and destroyed at high temperatures, most commonly found in animal cells.
Vitamin B4 is useful because:
- activates the processes of primary processing and distribution of nutrients through the circulatory system;
- participates in the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates in the liver;
- lowers cholesterol;
- increases the quality and speed of neuromuscular impulses;
- regulates the cardiovascular system;
- neutralizes toxins from alcohol and honey. drugs;
- improves brain function and memory, fighting against atherosclerosis and diseaseAlzheimer's;
- restores brain cells.
Daily norm - 500 mg (exceeding the norm is possible with stress and situations requiring enhanced brain function).
Signs of a lack of choline
Signs of a lack of choline include high levels of irritability, obsessive girdle pains in the head, sleep disturbance and jumps in the emotional state (for example, unreasonable fear or anxiety), tinnitus, sleep problems, fatty liver, jumps in cholesterol levels and hypertension.
Lack of sufficient amount of choline can cause many diseases - from cirrhosis of the liver to diseases of the kidneys and blood vessels. Consider some more vitamin-like substances of group B.
Inositol (vitamin B8)
This is a substance that appears during the processing of glucose, first studied in Germany in the 50s of the XIX century.
When absorbed, the substance is a white powder in the form of small sweet crystals, soluble in water and intolerant of high temperatures. Most (3/4) of inositol is produced by the body itself, while the rest must be replenished through the appropriate diet.
What is useful?
Inositol is useful because:
- supports a high rate of metabolic processes due to the entry into the enzymes of gastric juice;
- activates lipid metabolism leading to weight loss;
- maintains safe cholesterol levels;
- stimulates brain activity;
- reinforcesconcentration, memory processes and active mental activity;
- reduces brain fatigue;
- repairs damaged nerve endings;
- protects the liver from the harmful effects of toxins;
- prevents the growth of adipose tissue enveloping the liver;
- neutralizes free radicals that destroy cellular structures;
- participates in the functioning of the human reproductive systems, improving the viability of spermatozoa.
Inosine is also called the "secret formula of beauty" due to its beneficial effects on the condition of hair and skin.
In medicine, this vitamin-like substance is used in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy and other diseases in which the sensitivity of nerve endings is disturbed.
Inositol deficiency leads to insomnia, blurred vision, high blood cholesterol levels, skin rashes and profuse hair loss.
Para-aminobenzoic acid (vitamin B10)
Vitamin B10 in its pure form is a whitish crystalline powder, easily soluble in ethyl alcohol and ether, but not affected by water. The substance was discovered in the 60s of the XIX century, and research on functional necessity was carried out for another three decades.
The substance is an amino acid, often derived from benzoic acid.
The daily requirement for a substance directly depends on the content of vitamin B9 in the body, since folic acid is sufficientquantity covers the need to additionally receive para-aminobenzoic.
On average, the norm is 100 mg per day, although if complex treatment is necessary, the dose can be increased to 4 grams.
P-aminobenzoic acid is important because:
- Provides anti-allergy effect;
- participates in the production of folacin, pyrimidine compounds and amino acids;
- increases the frequency of production of interferon - a special protein that protects against most infections, including intestinal, influenza and hepatitis viruses;
- increases blood flow, helping to fight vascular clots;
- supports thyroid function;
- stimulates breast milk production;
- maintains good skin and hair condition;
- protects skin from UV damage and improves skin tone;
- helps treat lack of skin pigmentation in vitiligo.
Lack of this vitamin-like substance is characterized by a number of skin diseases, hair loss and deterioration of their general condition (dryness, brittleness, lack of shine), headaches, indigestion, predisposition to sunburn, dystrophy and anemia.
Although the main difference between vitamins and vitamin-like substances is that the lack of the latter does not lead to serious diseases, but the lack of "pseudo-vitamins" can also be quite unpleasant.
Carnitine (Vitamin B11)
This stuffprovides a fast metabolism of fats and is found in almost all cellular structures, helping to produce energy more actively.
Carnitine is responsible for:
- fat reduction;
- formation of elastic, strong muscles;
- move fatty acids to provide energy to cells;
- help in the work of the cardiovascular system;
- prevention of any heart disease;
- treatment of angina attacks.
Daily intake - 300 mg. For those who prefer to adhere to the traditions of vegetarianism and a raw food diet, you should use vitamin and mineral complexes with a high content of carnitine.
Its deficiency is manifested by chronic fatigue syndrome, rapid obesity with difficulty in movement and shortness of breath, constant irritability and tearfulness, inability to engage in physical labor.
Conclusion
To ensure the daily requirement, many experts advise compiling a special table with your favorite products and data on the content of “pseudo-vitamins” necessary for normal functioning.
We looked at the most famous vitamin-like substances, as well as their difference from vitamins.
