Vitamins are organic substances that have a simple structure in terms of chemistry. The first vitamin discovered by scientists belonged to the class of amines, which is why these substances got their name. It can be translated as "vital amine". Since then, many other vitamins have been discovered, most of which do not belong to the amine class. Among them are both acids and amino acids. One of the latest was vitamin U.
Discovery history
This was made by the American scientist Cheeney in 1949. Vitamin U was first isolated from cabbage juice.
Chemical nature
Vitamins of the U group can occur both as a s alt and as an amino acid (methionine).
Under normal conditions, the methionine s alt looks like white crystals, soluble in water. They have a specific unpleasant odor.
Vitamin U is one of the essential amino acids. The human body cannot produce them on its own. Therefore, vitamin U, like other essential amino acids, must be present in the human diet.
What is its role in the body?
Vitamin U was discovered thanks to itsability to prevent stomach ulcers. This is reflected in its name. It comes from the Latin word ulvus, which means "ulcer". It is also able not only to heal the gastric mucosa, but also to normalize acidity.
In addition, this substance is used by the body in the synthesis of hormones such as adrenaline, as well as in the production of choline. Vitamin U is also used as a source of the macronutrient sulfur. The latter is needed for the synthesis of many organic substances, including cysteine and collagen. Another important property of this substance is its antihistamine effect. It also participates in the metabolism of fats, preventing their deposition in the liver and other organs.
Vitamin U: where is it found?
A person must definitely consume this vitamin in food. The daily value is from 100 to 300 mg per day.
Let's find out which foods are sources of a substance such as vitamin U. Where this essential component is found, read below:
- cabbage;
- beets;
- asparagus;
- celery;
- parsley;
- turnip;
- carrot;
- tomatoes;
- eggplant;
- pepper;
- bow;
- bananas;
- sesame seeds;
- chicken eggs;
- chicken;
- tuna;
- oats;
- peanuts;
- almonds;
- beans;
- rice;
- lentils;
- corn;
- pork;
- liver;
- walnuts;
- soy;
- peas;
- salmon;
- milk.
Part of these products must be present in the daily diet of a person.
How to save vitamin in foods?
It is worth considering that vitamin U is very unstable to heat treatment. For example, in cabbage after twenty minutes of cooking it remains 75 percent. And after an hour and a half of its quenching, the vitamin does not remain at all. Therefore, the above vegetables, which contain it, are recommended to be consumed raw.
Despite the fact that most of the vitamin is lost during the heat treatment of foods, it is well preserved when vegetables and herbs are frozen or preserved.
What will happen with a deficiency and excess of this vitamin?
With a lack of this substance in the body, problems arise with the organs of the digestive tract. This is especially true of the stomach, as vitamin U deficiency can lead to ulcers. In addition, lipid and other metabolic disorders may occur.
Symptoms of hypervitaminosis have never been identified as excess vitamin U is simply excreted from the body through the kidneys. Vitamin deficiency is also quite rare, since the products listed above are usually present on the menu of all people. Moreover, vegetarians should not worry, in whose diet a significant part is occupied by greens and vegetables.
However, if you have identified symptoms of a lack of this substance, you have two options: to review your diet or purchase vitamin U tablets. At the lastoption, you must first consult with your doctor.
Vitamin U: instructions for use
This substance is not a drug. It is used as a dietary supplement.
The main effect of the drug:
- stimulation of the restoration of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract;
- methylation of histamine (due to which it turns into an inactive form);
- decrease in secretion of gastric juice.
When should I use it?
- In the 80s of the last century, this substance was used in medicine as a cure for stomach ulcers, but at the moment vitamin U is considered obsolete in this regard, as many more effective drugs have been invented. Therefore, now it is prescribed only for the prevention of this pathology or in the early stages in combination with other drugs.
- In addition, this vitamin is used to prevent and treat early stages of fatty liver.
- It is also prescribed as an additional remedy in the treatment of poisoning and diseases such as atherosclerosis and alcohol addiction.
- Vitamin U may treat depression, according to new evidence. However, studies regarding this property of this substance have not yet been completed.
Side effects and contraindications
When using vitamin U tablets, the following side effects may occur:
- nausea;
- vomit;
- allergic reactions.
Although the latter symptom is quite rare, if it occurs, you should stop taking vitamin U or reduce its dosage, after consulting with your doctor.
There are practically no contraindications to the use of vitamin U tablets. Among them, only individual intolerance can be noted.
Dosage and duration of administration
- In diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, this drug is used at a dosage of 0.1 g after meals, 3 times a day.
- For other diseases and in combination with other drugs, the dosage of the dietary supplement is determined by the doctor.
- Duration of admission is 30 days. If the desired therapeutic effect has been obtained, after this period, the drug is stopped. If not, after 30 days from the start of the reception, a break of 30-40 days is taken. After that, the use of the drug can be resumed.
Compatibility with other drugs
Vitamin U has a positive effect on the absorption in the body of vitamins B6 and B12, as well as betaine. For this reason, it is often used in combination with them.
