Vitamin B15
The compound is still classified as a controversial “vitamin”. The quotation marks suggest that scientists are not yet sure whether it is really a vitamin.
It has not yet been proven that it is essential to the diet and whether its deficiency in the human body causes the appearance of characteristic symptoms.
Scientists from the former Soviet Union believed that pangamic acid is a very important nutritional component with physiological properties that help manage symptoms and treat many diseases.
Soviet researchers have proven that nutritional supplements containing vitamin B15 help to reduce the accumulation of lactic acid in people who train hard and professional athletes, and thus reduce muscle fatigue and increase endurance.
Pangamic acid was used regularly in the Soviet Union for many problems such as:
• alcoholism and drug addictions;
• mental problems – especially those related to aging, such as senile dementia.
• Mild brain function disorders in children;
• Cardiac- vascular diseases and hypertension;
• Diabetes;
• Skin diseases;
• Liver diseases and chemical poisoning;
In the US, the Federal Food and Drug Administration has withdrawn food supplements containing pangamic acid from the market.
And dimethylglycine /DMG/ is used in some cases as its substitute because it is supposed to accelerate the production of vitamin B15 in the body.
Dimethylglycine combines in the body with gluconic acid, thus forming pangamic acid. DMG is believed to be the active component of vitamin B15.
Which foods are a source of vitamin B15?
Pangamic acid was first isolated in 1951 by Dr. Ernest Krebs Sr. and Jr. from apricot kernels together is laetrile, called vitamin B17.
At the time, as now, scientists were unsure whether the compound was essential for life.
Pangamic acid is also found in whole grains such as brown rice, brewer’s yeast, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, and in beef blood.
But under the influence of water and direct sunlight, the activity of the vitamin weakens, and its amount in these foods decreases.
Functions
Vitamin B15 is primarily a carrier of methyl groups, as it performs the function of a catalyst in some premethylation reactions.
It can also participate in the processes of glucose oxidation and cellular respiration.
Through this function, it helps to reduce hypoxia /lack of oxygen/ in the heart and other muscles.
Similar to vitamin E, it acts as an antioxidant, as it creates conditions for extending the life of cells, providing them with protection from oxidation.
Pangamic acid is also thought to mildly stimulate the endocrine and immune systems. And it also strengthens liver function, which in turn supports the body’s detoxification process.
Applications
Although many of its uses are not scientifically proven, there are a large number of cases described by authoritative health experts who indicate that vitamin B15 or DMG is beneficial for a wide range of symptoms, diseases and metabolic disorders.
It can be successfully applied to patients with symptoms such as headache, angina pectoris, musculoskeletal chest pain, shortness of breath, insomnia, as well as simple stress.
But of course, it should only be used after any other medical conditions have been ruled out.
In the European Union, vitamin B15 has been used to treat premature aging due to its ability to stimulate blood circulation and provide protection to cells against oxidative stress that damages them.
