In 1949, the American scientist Chini discovered a substance in cabbage juice that could heal stomach ulcers by regenerating the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines.

Cini came to this conclusion after curing 200 patients suffering from gastric ulcers, prescribing them, along with standard therapy, to drink 1 liter of fresh white cabbage juice daily.

The control group of patients did not take cabbage juice, and their recovery was delayed.

Cini classified this substance as a vitamin because it was not synthesized in the body. It was named vitamin U from the first letter of the Latin word “ulcus” (ulcer).

Currently, this substance belongs to vitamin-like compounds (substances that are similar in physiological action to vitamins, but are not them in a number of ways).

However, this compound continues to be classified as a vitamin, and we will not deviate from tradition.

What contains vitamin U (methionine), which foods contain the most of it, and why is a deficiency of this microelement dangerous? We'll figure out!

Effect on the body

Further research revealed that the substance discovered by Chini is a derivative of the essential (not synthesized by the body) sulfur-containing amino acid - methionine.

It began to include other salts of this amino acid with similar properties.

Chemical name of a vitamin-like compound– methylmethionine sulfonium chloride, or S-methylmethionine.

This substance is currently extracted from cabbage (by chopping and evaporating the juice extracted by pressure with the addition of milk sugar) and synthesized.

It has a sweetish taste and a “cabbage” smell. The release form of the drug is tablets, capsules, powders and sprays. The biological activity of the synthesized compound is 3-5 times lower than that of the natural one.

This compound has properties important for the body:

• normalizes acidity;
• promotes the synthesis of certain hormones (in particular, adrenaline);
• promotes the production of another vitamin-like compound - choline (also previously classified as a vitamin called B4), necessary for the formation of cell membranes.

  Choline prevents fat deposition in the liver and other organs. It prevents the development of atherosclerosis, thrombosis, hypertension, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction and stroke;

• The sulfur contained in methionine is used for the synthesis of the amino acid cysteine ​​(part of the protein of the skin, nails and hair) and collagen (the basis of connective tissues - bones, cartilage and tendons), i.e. S-methylmethionine regenerates not only the gastric mucosa, but also the skin;
• has an antihistamine effect (fights allergies and symptoms of colds);
• has a positive effect on the absorption of vitamins B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cyanocobalamin) and betaine (activator of cell membrane phospholipid synthesis);
• removes toxins from the body (consequences of poisoning with alcohol and poor-quality food, salts of heavy metals - lead, cadmium, mercury);
• increases the body's resistance to radiation;
• According to some reports, it reduces symptoms of depression.

Daily intake of S-methylmethionine and symptoms of its deficiency

The daily requirement for this active substance is as follows:

• children over 6 years old - 100-150 mg;
• adults - 100-300 mg;
• pregnant women - 200 mg (promotes detoxification in early toxicosis, prescribed together with folic acid and cyanocobalamin);
• athletes - 250 mg;
• bodybuilders (during competitive periods) - 450 mg.

It is advisable to satisfy this need with plant products.. For diseases of the digestive system, the doctor may prescribe a daily dose of 200-400 mg of methylmethanine sulfonium chloride tablets.

If the following signs of methylmethionine deficiency appear, it is necessary to adjust the diet in the direction of increasing its intake from foods:

• increased acidity of gastric juice with the formation of erosions and ulcers, destruction of some vitamins and minerals in an acidic environment with subsequent hypovitaminosis;
• exacerbation of diseases of the stomach and intestines;
• the occurrence of anxiety, a tendency to depression.

Where is the most: leading sources in the table

S-methylmethionine is found mainly in plant foods, so vegetarians do not experience a deficiency. The table below shows the vitamin U content of plant and animal foods (by food group).

The table clearly shows that animal products containing vitamin U are useless, but not all plant products can be considered a source of methionine.

What reduces its level

This compound is thermally unstable, but cooking food for 10 minutes destroys only 4% of its present amount, and 20-minute cooking reduces the content by 25%, which can still be tolerated.

But longer heat treatment of foods rich in methionine can significantly reduce its content in food - boiling for an hour and a half reduces it to zero.

Vitamin U is destroyed in light. It is better to eat vegetables raw, cook dishes immediately before consumption, and, if heat treatment is necessary, steam or bake them.

The vitamin contained in herbs and vegetables withstands freezing or canning well.

There are also substances that negatively affect the absorption of vitamins.. This is not surprising - vitamin antagonists, called antivitamins, were discovered back in the 1940s.

They replace true vitamins in biochemical systems, being unable to perform their biological functions.

Displacing vitamins, antivitamins form “inactive enzymes”, which disrupts metabolic processes, up to the stage of death of the body.

As an example: the antagonist of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is glucoascorbic acid, which is similar in structure.

Antacids are vitamin U antagonists– medications that neutralize hydrochloric acid contained in gastric juice.

One of the most famous antacids is baking soda, which was once used to relieve heartburn and stomach pain. (Modern medicine does not recommend treatment with soda due to its inherent side effects, the main one being “acid rebound”).

Modern antacids include Almagel, Gastal, Rennie, and Gaviscon.

Side effects and contraindications for use

Vitamin U is not currently classified as a medicinal product., its status is as a food additive.

When consuming products containing it, side effects are excluded. When taking pharmaceutical forms of the vitamin and individual intolerance, they are possible, although rare.

These include:

• allergic reactions in the form of skin rashes, itching;
• increased blood clotting (with the risk of thrombosis);
• unpleasant taste in the mouth;
• nausea;
• vomit;
• decreased blood pressure;
• decreased heart rate (tachycardia);
• confusion.

If any of the described side effects occur, after consultation with a doctor, it is possible to discontinue the drug or reduce its dosage.

There are also contraindications to taking the drug in tablets:

• age up to 6 years;
• individual intolerance (hypersensitivity);
• renal or liver failure (with complications in the form of hepatic encephalopathy).

Hypervitaminosis U is not observed– its excess is excreted through the kidneys with urine.

Masks and face creams with methylmethionine have become widespread. They stimulate the regeneration of the outer layer of skin (epidermis).

Capillaries appearing on the surface become less visible, and tissue cells are saturated with water and oxygen.

Expression wrinkles “disappear” somewhere, the surface of the skin is leveled, and the skin itself becomes firm and elastic.

Here is an example of a recipe for both a nourishing and cleansing face mask.

Grind several leaves of fresh white cabbage in a blender, add 1 tbsp. l. sour cream and 1 chicken egg yolk.

Apply the mixture to your face, avoiding the area around the eyes. After half an hour, rinse off the mask with cool water.

Even more information about vitamin U in this video:

Vitamin U, discovered more than half a century ago, is currently synthesized and widely used as a dietary supplement in traditional and folk medicine, and in cosmetology.

The vitamin is prescribed for the treatment of gastric diseases. Side effects are very rare, but a number of contraindications exist.

In contact with

Vitamin U has other names: anti-ulcer factor, S-methylmethionine, methionine sulfonium.

Vitamin U is a vitamin-like compound formed from methionine (an essential amino acid for the body).

The name vitamin U comes from the first letter of the word “ulcus” (Latin), which means “ulcer”, due to the ability of this compound to regenerate the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines. It was first discovered by scientists in vegetable juices and raw vegetables, which have a beneficial effect on the digestive organs.

This vitamin is not able to be synthesized on its own and must be taken daily with food.

Anti-ulcer factor is a white powder (crystals) with a specific odor and a sweetish, slightly cloying taste. Vitamin crystals are stable in an acidic environment, but quickly disintegrate when exposed to alkali. The substance is soluble in water and aqueous solvents and does not withstand prolonged heating.

Biological role of Vitamin U in the body

Takes part in the synthesis of some important biologically active substances, for example (choline)

Has an antiulcer effect, promotes rapid regeneration of wounds and erosions on the mucous membranes of internal organs;

Accelerates tissue restoration processes, therefore can be used for certain types of skin diseases;

Allows you to recognize and neutralize foreign (dangerous) compounds and promotes their rapid elimination;

Normalizes acidity, maintaining the physiological level of gastric juice, thereby protecting the gastric mucosa from damage;

Reduces the biological activity of histamine - the main mediator of allergic reactions, due to which it can be used in the treatment of various diseases of an allergic nature: food allergies (nausea, frequent stools and general weakness), hay fever (the appearance of lacrimation and runny nose as a result of exposure to plant pollen), bronchial asthma (attacks suffocation, lack of oxygen in the air), etc.;

Helps regulate and improve the metabolism of fatty acids in the body;

normalizes the functioning of the liver (in case of abuse of fried foods) and prevents the development of vascular atherosclerosis.

Vitamin U deficiency

Vitamin U deficiency usually occurs with insufficient consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits. Their deficiency manifests itself when a person has increased acidity of gastric juice. Because of this, the mucous membrane is constantly irritated, which is a fact of the occurrence of various erosions and ulcers in the membrane.

Deficiency can also develop in smokers and alcohol abusers, since almost the entire supply of vitamin U is spent on neutralizing toxic substances to protect the cells and tissues of the body from them.

A deficiency of this compound can occur with low dietary intake of methionine (an essential amino acid), because it is from the above-mentioned amino acid that vitamin U is subsequently synthesized. But even so, some of the functions of U can be performed by some other substances, so this compound is not classified as a vitamin. and to vitamin-like ones.

The presence of methylmethionine in the body is desirable, but not absolutely necessary.

Foods High in Vitamin U

Natural sources of anti-ulcer factor include:

S-methylmethionine is a widely occurring substance in nature, so it can be found in almost any plant food. But it is less common in food products of animal origin. Its daily requirement can be easily met by including fresh milk, liver and raw egg yolks in the daily diet.

You should know that vitamin U is very sensitive to cooking and is easily destroyed by cooking, frying and baking.

In this case, the duration of cooking also plays an important role. Thus, when cooked for ten minutes, only 4% of this substance is destroyed in food, but longer processing can almost completely destroy it. If we consider the preparation of different vegetables, then it is best to preserve the vitamin in beets after heat treatment.

Artificially synthesized vitamin U is absorbed somewhat worse than its natural counterpart. It can be used in complex drug therapy for the prevention and treatment of diseases of the stomach and intestines.

Daily value of vitamin U

The daily requirement (consumption rate) of vitamin U is not strictly regulated. Most nutritionists and nutritionists agree on an approximate figure of 100-300 mg per day. This need can be fully satisfied with proper and balanced nutrition.

In some cases, a doctor or other specialist may prescribe a slightly different dosage. For example, with low stomach acidity and increased exercise.

Vitamin U is an amino acid that used to belong to the category of vitamin-like elements. It is called methyl-β-sulfonium and anti-ulcer factor. The element is very important for the timely detection and cleansing of toxic substances from the body. It helps normalize blood cholesterol, synthesize choline and heal ulcers.

Vitamin U – what is this element needed for? It performs the following functions:

• Identifies, neutralizes and cleanses the body of harmful chemical elements. One of them is histamine. The element is produced during the development of inflammation in the body and activates the synthesis of gastric juice. As a result, the walls of the digestive organs become enlarged, which causes pain. The vitamin neutralizes histamine, which leads to the normalization of the digestive organs. The substance reduces allergy symptoms - intoxication of the body, increased bowel movements, and bronchial asthma. The element eliminates hay fever, which manifests itself in the form of rhinitis and lacrimation.
• Promotes the healing of ulcerative and erosive defects on the mucous membranes of the stomach and duodenum. The element helps treat diseases of the digestive system.
• Normalizes stomach acidity, improves digestive processes. In case of insufficient secretion, the substance activates the synthesis of salt fluid. If a person suffers from excessive acid synthesis, methionine makes it less aggressive and reduces the production of the substance. The use of s-methylmethionine provides the gastric mucosa with reliable protection. With its help, it is possible to maintain normal physiological pH balance. This helps to digest food normally without damaging the walls of the organ.
• Improves skin condition. The water-soluble vitamin is actively used to combat skin pathologies. It helps cope with psoriasis and dermatitis. The vitamin is also effective for urticaria. The element is actively used in cosmetology.
• Products containing this vitamin eliminate hyperemia, activate skin restoration, reduce capillaries, saturate with oxygen and moisturize. The substance helps to cope with unevenness of the dermis, increases the elasticity of the epidermis, copes with expression wrinkles and makes the complexion smoother.
• Normalizes fat metabolism. Vitamin U helps improve blood flow in affected brain and heart vessels. The element protects the liver from damage and prevents atherosclerosis. It is used to prevent fatty replacement of liver tissue.
• Copes with depression and eliminates nervous conditions. The use of vitamin U is possible in the absence of effect from standard psychotropic therapy. The biological role of the substance is to influence the synthesis of adrenaline. The element controls cholesterol metabolism, which affects a person’s emotional background.
• Improves collagen synthesis, prevents the occurrence of stretch marks, scarring, and ptosis. The element reduces the load on the bladder. With its help, it is possible to remove ammonia, which is synthesized during sudden weight loss.
• Vitamin U can be taken during pregnancy. It helps to cope with the signs of toxicosis, strengthen hair, and avoid infections of the genitourinary organs. The element is useful for women who use oral contraceptives and drugs with high levels of estrogen.
• Methionine takes part in lipid metabolism and has pronounced antioxidant properties. That's why it is often included in sports supplements. The substance does not have a noticeable anabolic effect, but it helps eliminate fat deposits. This is very important for athletes who take care of their body.

Hypo- and hypervitaminosis of s-methylmethionine

Vitamin U is not produced by the body. It comes from external sources. The following categories are most susceptible to element deficiency:

• people whose diet includes too few fruits and vegetables;
• patients with low stomach acidity;
• people who smoke and drink a lot of alcoholic beverages spend all their energy on eliminating intoxication.

A number of responsibilities are taken on by other elements. But with a severe lack of vitamin U, unpleasant symptoms occur:

• exacerbation of pathologies of the digestive system;
• damage to the mucous membranes of the stomach;
• violation of the condition of the dermis, the appearance of rashes;
• nervousness, mood swings;
• general weakness;
• dysfunction of the liver associated with weakening of its protection.

Cases of hypervitaminosis of the substance were not recorded. Methionine is a water-soluble compound. It quickly leaves the body in urine.

Synthetic preparations based on vitamin U are less effective compared to natural sources of the element. Doctors advise eating more fruits and vegetables containing this substance.

Indications and contraindications

Vitamin U is used for:

• Parkinson's disease;
• pathologies of the digestive organs - ulcers, colitis, cirrhosis, erosive defects, esophagitis;
• diabetes;
• mental disorders - methionine is used as part of combination therapy;
• dystrophy;
• pregnancy;
• sports activities, bodybuilding;
• period after surgery;
• Alzheimer's disease;
• nervous diseases;
• recovery from wounds and traumatic injuries;
• cosmetic problems - medications with methionine are used as part of combination therapy for rashes, early aging of the dermis,
• hair disorders.

Higher dosages of vitamin U are prescribed to people who drink large amounts of alcohol or smoke. Thanks to this element, it is possible to activate the elimination of toxic substances.

Key restrictions on the use of vitamin U include the following:

• viral liver diseases;
• age less than 6 years;
• intolerance to the components of the drug;
• hepatitis;
• kidney failure.

Methionine-based products are well tolerated. However, in some situations they provoke the following side effects:

• allergic rash;
• the appearance of urticaria symptoms;
• decreased blood pressure;
• tachycardia;
• nausea and vomiting.

What are the benefits of vitamin U

The beneficial properties of this substance include the following:

• Antiulcer effect. The element helps cope with digestive ulcers. Heals erosions.
• Removal of toxic substances. This is important for alcohol intoxication. The substance is used for food poisoning. It helps cope with the consequences of a bacterial infection.
• Antihistamine properties. Methionine helps cope with allergies and bronchial asthma. Using vitamin U helps with allergic rhinitis.
• Elimination of atherosclerosis. Helps avoid the development of pathologies of the heart and blood vessels - ischemia, atherosclerosis, heart attack, hypertension, thrombosis. This category includes strokes.
• Restoration of acid balance. Helps reduce stomach acidity.
• Eliminate symptoms of depression.
• Restoration of digestion.
• Acceleration of skin restoration, normalization of its condition, improvement of appearance.
• Improving fat metabolism. This helps avoid fatty liver degeneration and vascular damage.
• PMS relief.
• Stimulation of collagen production. This helps prevent the formation of scars, stretch marks, and ptosis. These symptoms often occur with sudden weight loss.
• Facilitation of pregnancy. Vitamin U reduces or completely eliminates signs of toxicosis.

Sources of Vitamin U

What products contain this substance? A lot of vitamin U is present in the following foods:

• pea sprouts;
• Bell pepper;
• broccoli;
• bananas;
• beet;
• carrot;
• White cabbage;
• asparagus;
• fresh potatoes;
• green tea.

S-methylmethionine is present in almost all plant foods. However, it is not so often found in meat and other foods of animal origin.

To meet your daily requirement of vitamin U, you can consume liver. The substance is present in fresh milk and raw yolks. The element is easily destroyed during heat treatment.

The cooking time of the food is of great importance. When boiled for 10 minutes, no more than 4% of the element is destroyed. Longer cooking results in complete loss of the element.

Synthetic vitamin U is not absorbed as well as natural vitamin U. Methionine-based drugs can be used to treat pathologies of the digestive organs.

Daily norm

The average daily volume of the substance is 200 mg. Taking into account the age and individual characteristics of the human body, this figure can be 100-300 mg.

For people who have ulcers or disorders of gastric juice synthesis, the dosage is increased by 2 times. For them, the daily norm is 400 mg.

An increase in dosage is also required for people who are actively involved in sports. In this case, the norm may be in the range of 150-350 mg.

If necessary, the drug is prescribed for oral use. Doctors usually prescribe 100 mg of the vitamin. It should be taken up to 4 times a day. The course of therapy is 1 month. A specific period is prescribed based on the characteristics of the body.

Preventive and therapeutic use

Good results from taking methionine are observed in the presence of anacid, hypocidal or normocidal ulcers. It helps to achieve a good effect in hepatitis, spastic or infectious colitis.

In case of achlorhydria, the substance normalizes the activity of the gallbladder and increases the acidity of gastric juice. Vitamin U restores intestinal function.

To cope with the symptoms of dyspepsia and improve gastric secretion, vitamin U is prescribed in a daily dosage of 200 mg. You need to drink it for 1 month.

For diabetes mellitus, liver damage, and atherosclerosis, you should take 100 mg of the substance 1 hour before meals. This is done 3-4 times a day. The course of treatment is 1 month.

Interactions between vitamin U and other drugs

The combination of methionine with other medications helps achieve the following effects:

• Taking folic acid also makes cancer treatment easier.
• The combination of the substance with famotidine and B vitamins stimulates the healing of ulcerative defects on the mucous membranes of the digestive organs. A similar effect can be obtained when combined with sulfonium chloride.
• Antacids reduce the absorption of vitamin U.
• The combination with lipocaine stimulates the metabolism of phospholipids in the liver. This helps to avoid its fatty degeneration.
• The combination of methionine with vitamin B3 activates the synthesis of adrenaline.
• Vitamin U reduces the effect of levodopa.
• Taking the substance makes treatment with furazolidone and lanatoside C more effective. The element increases the antianginal effect of nitroglycerin.

Vitamin U is an effective remedy that has many positive properties. The substance is found in many vegetables and fruits, so your diet should include a large amount of plant foods.

Good day, dear readers!

In today's article we will look at vitamin U and everything connected with it. So…

What is vitamin U and what is it for?

Vitamin U (vitamin U, S-methylmethionine)– an amino acid that was previously classified as a vitamin-like substance.

Other names for vitamin U: anti-ulcer factor, methyl-methionine-sulfonium.

S-methylmethionine plays an important role in the timely detection and removal of toxins from the body, normalization of cholesterol levels in the blood, synthesis of choline (vitamin B4) and most importantly, vitamin Y has the ability to heal ulcers.

The American scientist Chiney was the first to talk about vitamin U, who discovered this substance in cabbage juice in the 40s of the 20th century. Thus, Chiney found that the substance contained in cabbage juice is capable of healing stomach ulcers. Because of this property, the substance was called “ulcus” (ulcer), and abbreviated as “U”, or vitamin U. Further research showed that vitamin U, in its chemical structure, is a methylated derivative of methionine. Vitamin U was classified as a crystalline amino acid and vitamin-like substances, after which this substance was removed from the latter group.

S-methylmethionine is a sweet-tasting crystalline powder with a specific odor, white in color with a yellowish tint. It is destroyed by heat treatment for a long time, and also dissolves well in water. Insoluble in alcohol and solvents. The beneficial properties of vitamin U remain unchanged when cooled or dried.

Systematic name of methionine: 2-amino-4-(methylthio)butanoic acid
Empirical formula for methionine: C5H11NO2S.
Trade names of S-methylmethionine:"Methiosulfonium chloride."

Functions of vitamin U (S-methylmethionine)

The beneficial properties of vitamin U are:

• It has antiulcer properties, which has a beneficial effect on the treatment of various erosions;
• Removes poisonous substances (toxins) from the body, which is especially important when dealing with waste products;
• It has anti-atherosclerotic properties, which helps prevent the development of a number of -, thrombosis,;
• It has antihistamine properties, which has a beneficial effect on the body in case of allergic rhinitis (runny nose);
• Normalizes acid balance - reduces high acidity in the stomach;
• Improves digestion;
• Helps cope with;
• Promotes accelerated regeneration of the skin, improves skin health, and also gives it a healthy appearance;
• Normalizes fat metabolism, which prevents fatty degeneration of the liver and damage to blood vessels;
• Improves collagen production, preventing the formation of stretch marks, scars, ptosis, which often appear during rapid weight loss;
• Improves the course of pregnancy, minimizing or completely eliminating the symptoms of toxicosis;
• Fits the flow;
• It is a donor of methyl groups in the synthesis of creatine and choline.

Contraindications to additional intake of S-methylmethionine

• Children under 6 years of age;
• Severe renal or liver failure;
• Hepatic encephalopathy;
• Hypersensitivity to the substance.

Vitamin U deficiency

Vitamin U deficiency (hypovitaminosis) may cause the following health problems:

• Increased acidity in the stomach, which contributes to the appearance of ulcers and erosions on the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract;
• Exacerbation of inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• Predisposition to, because some are destroyed in an acidic environment;
• Depressive states, anxiety;
• Vitamin U deficiency is usually experienced by people who do not eat fresh vegetables and fruits.

Harmful properties of S-methylmethionine

Vitamin U is not toxic to the body, and its excess does not accumulate. Excretion from the body occurs in urine.

Daily requirement of vitamin U

• The daily requirement for vitamin U is:
• Adults – from 100 to 300 mg;
• Children (from 6 years old) – from 100 to 150 mg;
• During pregnancy – 200 mg;
• Intense sports – 250 mg;
• For diseases of the digestive system - from 200 to 400 mg.

Side effects from taking Methiosulfonium Chloride include:

• Allergic reactions in the form of skin itching and rashes;
• , sometimes with attacks;
• Unpleasant taste in the mouth;
• Confusion;

Overdose (hypervitaminosis) of S-methylmethionine

An overdose from taking Methiosulfonium Chloride can lead to symptoms such as:

• Nausea;
• Vomit;
• Tachycardia.

The largest amount of vitamin U is present in plant foods, the smallest in foods of animal origin.

Plant sources of amygdalin: asparagus, white cabbage, cauliflower, beets, parsley, sprouted pea sprouts, corn. Minimal amounts (less than 1 mg) of anti-ulcer factor can be found in carrots, potatoes, pumpkin, spinach, sweet peppers, bananas, and green tea.

Animal sources (not more than 0.05 mg per 100 g of product): milk, liver, egg yolk.

Chemical sources:"Methiosulfonium chloride."

Synthesis in the body: Vitamin U is not synthesized in the body.

Important! When cooking food for 90 minutes, the vitamin is completely destroyed! Cooking for up to 30 minutes destroys 4% of the vitamin.

Interaction of vitamin U (S-methylmethionine) with other substances

• Taking methionine in combination with and helps in treatment;
• Taking methionine in combination with sulfonium chloride and famotidine accelerates the healing of ulcers on the mucous membranes of the digestive organs;
• Antacids inhibit the body's absorption of methionine;
• Simultaneous administration with lipocaine accelerates phospholipid metabolism in the liver, which prevents its fatty degeneration;
• Simultaneous intake of vitamin U also promotes the production of adrenaline;
• Taking S-methylmethionine enhances the effect of lanatoside C, furazolidone and the antianginal effect of nitroglycerin;
• Reduces the effect of Levodopa (antiparkinsonian drug).

Video about vitamin U

Greetings, dear friends!
We all know about the benefits of “basic” vitamins: A, B, C... Meanwhile, the “family” of these nutrients is much larger than many of us can guess. Let's say it contains vitamin-like compounds. One of this group is vitamin U, and in this article I will tell you why our body needs it.

Biological role of vitamin U in human life

Doctors (even all-knowing British scientists) have not yet fully studied vitamin U, but they can already say with confidence: our body needs it in order to normalize and regulate stomach acidity levels. That is, this is the best prevention of ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract. And if a person already suffers from this disease, the nutrient restores the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, helping in the treatment of even chronic diseases of the stomach and duodenum.

In addition, this connection:

• Reduces pressure by narrowing small capillaries. Strengthens the walls of blood vessels.
• Relieves bronchial spasms (very important for asthma), expanding the lumen of the small “branches” of this organ.
• Improves the transmission of impulses in the fibers of the nervous system. Thanks to this quality, it is considered an effective preventative against sclerotic conditions, as well as a useful assistant in times of stress and depression.
• It is an important participant in the metabolism of fat and protein structure. What does this mean? This beneficial property of vitamin U makes it one of the important “builders” of RNA and DNA molecules, mediators of the nervous system, as well as amino acids and other important compounds for us that are “built” inside our body.
• It fights toxins and other “garbage” entering our body, protecting the liver and saving the body in case of poisoning.

Is its deficiency dangerous?

With a balanced diet, this nutrient enters our body in reasonable quantities. True, in some cases it is not enough. They can talk about this:

• indigestion caused by the increased acidity of its juices;
• abdominal pain in the gastrointestinal tract;
• the appearance of erosion, or even ulcers, in the constantly irritated wall of the stomach.

So we can say with confidence that with a serious and long-term lack of this vitamin, you can lose your health and become a client of the clinic for a long time.

NB! Most often, the symptoms described above occur in people who refuse fresh vegetables for a long time.

Natural Sources of Vitamin U

If a person is sick and needs urgent help, doctors will not spend a lot of time describing exactly where vitamin U is found, they will simply prescribe a pharmaceutical preparation with it. But if you want to intelligently plan your family’s diet, all you need to do is find out which foods contain this beneficial vitamin U and cook with them more often. This list is small, but all these products can always be found in stores, and they are not expensive!

Products of plant origin:

• cabbage (including broccoli),
• beet,
• potato,
• legumes (green beans, pea or bean sprouts),
• greens (including spinach and celery),
• tomatoes,
• bell pepper,
• carrot,

NB! It is believed that the vitamin U contained in all these products is almost not destroyed by heat treatment (stewing or boiling for up to 15 minutes), but this cannot even be compared with the quantities in which it enters our body from fresh salads!

But if you stew the same cabbage for 30 minutes or more, this valuable nutrient is destroyed without a trace.

Animal products:

• raw cow's milk,
• liver,
• egg yolks.

NB! There is very little of this vitamin in animal products, so you cannot completely give up greens and vegetables, consuming only liver and milk.

Interaction with other substances

• It is “friendly” with some B vitamins (promotes the metabolism of these water-soluble compounds).
• It also “cooperates” well with drugs that block cholinergic receptors.
• While taking this nutrient, a person may become ill and be prescribed antibiotics. It’s okay, they don’t interfere with the absorption of the vitamin.
• But if you take antacid medications (reduce the acidity of the stomach and duodenum), this may impair the absorption of vitamin U.

Signs of excess of this nutrient in the body

There is none of them! And all thanks to the fact that the vitamin dissolves in water, so it does not accumulate in our body. The body consumes as much as it needs, and the excess is simply eliminated with the help of the kidneys. Moreover, this applies not only to the consumption of spinach and cabbage, but also to long-term (many months) use of medications rich in vitamin U. In general, there can be no talk of an overdose in any case.

NB! Many doctors see the daily requirement of the vitamin differently. On average, it is believed that adults need to consume 200 mg (or 0.2 g) of the vitamin. However, ulcer sufferers or people suffering from high acidity in the gastrointestinal tract need more: up to 400 mg (doctors prescribe one 100 mg tablet four times a day). It is also better for athletes to increase the dose to 350 mg.

What are the names of pharmaceutical preparations with a high content of vitamin U?? The most popular are:

• "Methylmethione sulfonium chloride." These are tablets, each containing 50 mg of the vitamin - that is, most people need 4 pieces per day.
• "Gastero Complex". But this drug is more complex in composition. As you can easily guess from the name, it is designed to eliminate gastrointestinal problems (such as diarrhea, belching, nausea, spasmodic pain, heartburn or vomiting). It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic effects.

10 Facts You Didn't Know About Vitamin U

1. It does not like long-term heat treatment, but it is preserved well in frozen vegetables, as well as canned ones (unless, of course, they were boiled for several hours before canning).
2. Some doctors consider it an antidepressant, so they prescribe it for stress and chronic fatigue.
3. In “laboratory” form it is a white powder with a sweet taste. But the smell of this drug is so-so.
4. It is synthetically extracted from cabbage juice.
5. In our country it was produced back during the USSR.
6. It is believed that it has a mild antitumor effect, so it also protects our body from the development of cancer.
7. This vitamin was discovered in the USA in the mid-20th century. Scientists studied cabbage juice and noticed that it curbed ulcers in chickens. They realized that the juice contains a substance that the chicken (like ours) body does not produce, but only receives from the outside. This is what prevents the disease from appearing.
8. The vitamin got its name from the main problem it solves: in Latin, “peptic ulcer” is “ulcus”.
9. Not all scientists consider it a vitamin. Let's say, there is an opinion that this is a “vitamin-like compound”, or simply a separate type of compound.
10. Is it possible to do without it at all? There are doctors who say: strangely enough, yes! We can also get the effects it gives from other vitamins and microelements. But do not consider these words a guide to action, because it is not a fact that the “stars will align” in such a way that your diet will consist entirely of “U-replacement” products, and greens, cabbage, tomatoes and potatoes will be completely excluded.

Why am I talking about this nutrient now? It’s simple: it’s getting warmer, and the first greens grown in open ground are already starting to appear on the markets. It's time to prepare fresh salads, because now you know that they are not just healthy, but protect our body from specific dangers: high acidity, peptic ulcers... Well, and stress, of course! So I wish you bon appetit and never get sick!