Vitamins are organic substances that, from the point of view of chemistry, have a simple structure. The first vitamin discovered by scientists belonged to the class of amines, which is why these substances got this 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 acids and amino acids. One of the last has become vitamin U.
Discovery story
The American scientist Chini made it in 1949. Vitamin U was first isolated from cabbage juice.
Chemical nature
Vitamins of the U group can be found both in the form of a salt, and in the form of an amino acid (methionine).
Under normal conditions, the methionine salt looks like white crystals soluble in water. They have a specific unpleasant odor.
Vitamin U is one of the essential amino acids. Their human body cannot produce independently. Therefore, vitamin U, like other essential amino acids, must be present in the human diet.
What is its role in the body?
Vitamin U has been discovered due to its ability to prevent stomach ulcers. This was reflected in his name. It comes from the Latin word ulvus , which means “ulcer” in translation. He 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 sulfur macroelement. 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. He also participates in the metabolism of fats, preventing their deposition in the liver and other organs.
Vitamin U: where is this substance?
A person must eat this vitamin as food. The daily norm is from 100 to 300 mg per day.
Let's find out which foods are sources of a substance like vitamin U. Where this essential ingredient is found, read below:
- cabbage;
- beet;
- asparagus;
- celery;
- parsley;
- turnip;
- carrot;
- Tomatoes
- eggplant;
- pepper;
- onion;
- bananas
- sesame seeds;
- chicken eggs;
- hen;
- tuna;
- oats;
- peanut;
- almond;
- beans;
- rice
- lentils
- corn;
- pork;
- liver;
- walnuts;
- soybeans;
- peas;
- salmon;
- milk.
Some of these products must be present in the daily diet of a person.
How to keep 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, in which it is contained, it is recommended to eat raw.
Despite the fact that during the heat treatment of products, most of the vitamin is lost, it is well preserved during the freezing or preservation of vegetables and herbs.
What will happen with a deficiency and excess of this vitamin?
With a lack of this substance in the body, problems arise with the digestive tract. This is especially true for the stomach, since vitamin U deficiency can lead to ulcers. In addition, metabolic disorders of lipids and other substances may occur.
Symptoms of hypervitaminosis have never been detected, since excess vitamin U is simply excreted through the kidneys. Vitamin deficiency is also quite rare, since the products listed above are usually present on the menu of all people. Moreover, you should not worry vegetarians, 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: review your diet or purchase vitamin U tablets. With the latter option, 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;
- histamine methylation (due to which it turns into an inactive form);
- decreased secretion of gastric juice.
When should I use it?
- In the 80s of the last century, this substance was used in medicine as a medicine for gastric ulcer, but at the moment, vitamin U is considered obsolete in this regard, since many more effective drugs were 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 liver obesity.
- It is also prescribed as an additional tool in the treatment of poisoning and diseases such as atherosclerosis and alcohol dependence.
- According to new data, vitamin U is able to treat depression. However, studies regarding this property of this substance are not yet complete.
Side effects and contraindications
When using vitamin U in tablets, the following side effects may occur:
- nausea;
- vomiting
- allergic reactions.
Although the last symptom is quite rare, if it occurs, you must stop taking vitamin U or reduce its dosage, after consulting with your doctor.
There are practically no contraindications to the use of vitamin U in tablets. Among them, only individual intolerance can be noted.
Dosage and duration of administration
- For diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, this drug is used in 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.
- The 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 admission, a break of 30-40 days is taken. After this, 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 with them in combination.