Vitamin-like substances: definition, species, role and characteristics

The beginning of the twentieth century was marked by a number of discoveries in the field of medicine. It was then that the basic vitamins necessary for the full existence of the human body were studied and classified. But science does not stand still. As a result of numerous studies, additional substances with properties close to vitamins, so-called "pseudovitamins" or vitamin-like substances, have become available.

Definition

"Pseudovitamins" are substances of animal and vegetable origin, possessing an extremely complex structure and most often remaining only in natural form, which makes their inclusion in vitamin-mineral complexes created under industrial conditions unlikely. Nevertheless, they are also necessary for the normal functioning of the human body, although their lack 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 claim the vital necessity of such substances and compounds).

In most cases, vitamin-like substances come with food or are produced independently 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 the metabolism along with important amino acids and any fatty acids;
• Catalyzing and overall increasing the exposure of all vitamins;
• Anabolic action - an increase in the number of synthesized proteins that affect the rate of muscle growth;
• Prevention and control of disease states caused by a shortage of certain substances.

Classification

All vitamin-like substances (as, indeed, 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.

Here such there are vitamin-like substances. The table with the full list and the products in which they are contained will be presented below.

Periodically, the classification changes, and some of the names are referred to as obsolete, such as vitamin F.

The reason for this is new data on the functioning of the human body, since vitamin-like compounds are a poorly understood area because of the difficulty in determining their activity and the influence of various diseases on the synthesis of such substances. For example, if the pancreas is broken, the production and assimilation of "pseudovitamins" almost completely ceases, which leads to the fact that a person needs to take vitamins, vitamin-like substances are prescribed for admission less often.

Kinds

Vitamin-like substances are many, but the main ones are:

• Lipoic acid, or vitamin U.
• Choline, or vitamin B4.
• Inositol, or vitamin B8.
• Carnitine, or vitamin B11.
• Paraaminobenzoic acid, or vitamin B10.

And this is not a complete list. Details describes the vitamin-like substances biochemistry. 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 (not changing its structure in alcohol or solvents) and decomposing under the influence of 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 the regeneration of tissues after ulcers and erosion of the gastric mucosa, preventing excessive production of gastric juice;
• Reduces the acidity of gastric juice;
• Reduces the symptoms of food allergies (nausea, diarrhea);
• Removes an attack of asthma in bronchial asthma and tear for all types of allergies to pollen of plants;
• Activates the metabolism of fats and cholesterol.

That's why vitamin-like substances are useful. Biochemistry as a science is engaged in the study of these beneficial properties.

The daily need for an organism in this substance is 200 mg.

Next, consider the following vitamin-like substance.

Choline (vitamin B4)

Kholin is rightly considered one of the "pioneers" of vitamin substances, since it was discovered in the 60s of the XIX century, although a full study of its properties was a century later.

Choline dissolves easily in water and breaks down at high temperatures, most often found in cells of animal origin.

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 the amount of cholesterol;
• Increases the quality and speed of neuromuscular impulses;
• Regulates the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
• Neutralizes toxins of alcohol and honey. Preparations;
• Improves the functioning of the brain and memory, fighting against atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease;
• Restores brain cells.

The daily norm is 500 mg (excess of the norm is possible under stresses and situations requiring intensive brain work).

Signs of lack of choline

Signs of a lack of choline include a high level of irritability, obsessive shingles of the head, sleep disturbances and emotional jumps (eg, unreasonable fear or anxiety), tinnitus, sleep problems, liver obesity, cholesterol level jumps and hypertension.

The lack of a sufficient amount of choline can cause a variety of diseases - from cirrhosis to kidney and vascular diseases. Let's consider some more vitamin-like substances of group B.

Inositol (vitamin B8)

This substance, which appears in the process of processing glucose, first studied in the 50-ies of the XIX century in Germany.

In the absorbed form, the substance is a white powder in the form of small sweet crystals, soluble in water and not transporting high temperatures. Most (3/4) inositol is produced by the body itself, the remainder is required to be replenished by the appropriate diet.

Than useful?

Inositol is useful because:

• Maintains a high rate of metabolic processes due to entry into the enzymes of gastric juice;
• Activates lipid metabolism leading to weight loss;
• Maintains a safe level of cholesterol;
• Stimulates the activity of the brain;
• Strengthens concentration of attention, memorization processes and active mental activity;
• Reduces fatigue of the brain;
• Restores 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 human reproductive systems, improving the viability of spermatozoa.

Inosine is also called the "secret beauty formula" because of the 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, impaired vision, high cholesterol in the blood, skin rashes and heavy hair loss.

Paraaminobenzoic acid (vitamin B10)

Vitamin B10 in its pure form is a whitish crystalline powder that dissolves easily in ethyl alcohol and ether, but is not amenable to water. The substance was discovered in the 60s of the XIX century, and research on the functional need was carried out for another three decades.

The substance is an amino acid, often derived from benzoic acid.

The daily requirement for the substance directly depends on the amount of vitamin B9 in the body, as folic acid in sufficient quantity covers the need to additionally receive paraaminobenzoic.

On the average, the norm is 100 mg per day, although if necessary complex treatment the dose can be increased to 4 grams.

Paraaminobenzoic acid is important in that:

• Provides the effect of counteracting allergies;
• 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 the fluidity of the blood, helping to fight vascular thrombi;
• Supports the function of the thyroid gland;
• Stimulates the production of breast milk;
• Maintains a good condition of skin and hair;
• Protects the skin from damage by ultraviolet radiation and increases its tone;
• Helps to cope with the lack of skin pigmentation with vitiligo.

The lack of this vitamin-like substance is characterized by a number of skin diseases, hair loss and deterioration of their general condition (dryness, fragility, lack of shine), headaches, digestive disorders, predisposition to sunburn, dystrophy and anemia.

And although the main difference between vitamins and vitamin-like substances is that the lack of the second does not lead to serious diseases, but the lack of "pseudovitamins" can also be quite unpleasant.

Carnitine (vitamin B11)

This substance provides a fast metabolism of fats and is contained in almost all cellular structures, helping to generate energy more actively.

Carnitine is responsible for:

• Reduction of fat stores;
• Formation of elastic, strong muscles;
• The movement of fatty acids to provide energy supplementation of cells;
• Help in the cardiovascular system;
• Prevention of any heart disease;
• Relief of angina attacks.

The daily intake rate is 300 mg. For those who prefer to adhere to the traditions of vegetarianism and raw food, you should use vitamin-mineral complexes with a high content of carnitine.

Insufficiency of it is manifested by the syndrome of chronic fatigue, rapid obesity with difficulty of movement and shortness of breath, constant irritability and tearfulness, inability to engage in physical labor.

Conclusion

To meet the daily requirement, many experts advise to compile a special table with your favorite products and data on the content of "pseudovitamins" necessary for the normal functioning.

We examined the most famous vitamin-like substances, as well as their difference from vitamins.