Vitamin B15

The history of the discovery of vitamin B15 (pangamic acid) is extremely interesting. It was first discovered in the bovine liver in 1950 by the scientist Tompia, and later synthesized from the apricot kernel by the American Krebs; hence its name (from the Greek pan - everywhere, gami - the seed

Neither avitaminosis nor hypervitaminosis B15 in humans has been described, although its drugs are used in medicine for certain diseases associated with metabolic disorders (in particular, transmemethylation reactions). Preparations of pangamic acid give a good therapeutic effect for fatty degeneration of the liver and some forms of oxygen starvation.

General information about vitamin B15

Pangamic acid is the scientific name of vitamin B15. This vitamin is not considered a vitamin-like substance, as it is not so necessary for the body, but it is successfully used instead of medicines.

From the chemical point of view, pangamic acid is represented by the ester of gluconic acid and dimethylglycine.

Pangamic acid has a molecular weight of 281. Pangamic acid salts crystallize well.

In medical practice, pangamic acid salts are used. A complex compound of pangamic acid with arginine is known, which was used in medical practice. At present, the function of pangamic acid is not clear, there is no information about the need for the human and animal body in this substance. There is also no information about the manifestations of a deficiency of this vitamin in the body. It is not excluded that the need is covered by any diet, as the estimated need for a human body of 2 mg per day. Vitamin properties of pangamic acid need confirmation, there is also no data on coenzyme functions.

Calcium pangamate was used in cardiovascular diseases, believing that it would be effective because of its antihypoxic effect and lipotropic effect. Good results were obtained with atherosclerosis. The drug causes positive biochemical changes, which indicate a decrease in tissue hypoxia. Improvements in the well-being of patients, a decrease in the frequency of complaints of pain in the region of the heart and other manifestations of cardiovascular failure were noted. Calcium pangamate has a positive effect on lipid metabolism in patients with atherosclerosis: the level of cholesterol and P-lipoproteins decreases, the content of lecithin and albumins increases. Vitamin B15 reduces or completely eliminates cardiovascular failure, has a stimulating effect on the respiration of the heart muscle, which was confirmed by direct measurements during heart surgery.
Pangamic acid with sufficiently pronounced positive results is used for geriatric purposes. However, the effect was associated, mainly, with the effect on the course of atherosclerosis. Along with favorable cardiological changes, there was an increase in working capacity, normalization of sleep. Other researchers noted an increase in the production of steroid hormones, which was judged by the increase in the amount of 17-ketosteroids and 17-hydroxycorticosteroids excreted in the urine. At the level of hormones in the blood pangamate calcium had a normalizing effect. With an increased content, a decrease was observed, and a decrease to a normal increase. Simultaneously, the condition of the subjects improved.

Very favorable data were obtained using calcium pangamate in the complex therapy of obliterating endarteritis. The pain syndrome decreased or disappeared, the skin temperature in the distal parts of the extremities increased, which indicated an improvement in blood circulation in the affected limb.

Vitamin B15 is a donor of methyl groups, so it was used in the treatment of liver diseases - cirrhosis and hepatitis. Under the influence of calcium pangamate, pigmentation was normalized, bilirubin content in the blood decreased, and jaundice decreased. There was an increase in the antitoxic function of the liver and a number of other positive changes. It was effective in hepatitis of moderate severity and ineffective in liver cirrhosis. There was an improvement in the excretory function of the liver, protein synthesis. Improvement of pigmental metabolism was observed quite regularly, whereas normalization of hepatic enzyme activity was not always achieved. The withdrawal syndrome quickly stopped when the vitamin was added to the complex. Positive results were noted when assessing both the dynamics of hematological symptoms and the general state of patients.

Thus, calcium pangamate is widely used in clinical practice. True, not all aspects of its application have been studied with sufficient completeness. The greatest material is accumulated in relation to cardiovascular diseases and liver, which is consistent with experimental data on the mechanism of action of vitamin B15.

How much vitamin B15 is needed per day?

In a day should be consumed 25-150 g of vitamin B15.

The beneficial effect of vitamin B15 on the body

Vitamin B15 has special lipotropic properties. Due to them, fat does not accumulate in liver tissues, and methyl groups help to process nucleic acids, creatine, phospholipids and other important biological substances.

Vitamin B15 is able to reduce the level of fats and cholesterol in the body, stimulates the production of hormones from the adrenal glands, it has a beneficial effect on tissue respiration, as it is a strong antioxidant, promotes oxidative processes in the body.

Pangamic acid is able to remove toxins from the body, reduce cravings for alcohol, prevent liver cirrhosis and relieve fatigue. It stimulates the production of antibodies, lining the vessels in atherosclerosis, beneficially affects the heart and, due to cytoprotective properties, prevents dystrophic lesions of the liver.

Vitamin B15 activates the bioenergetic processes of the body. When alcohol, chemical or drug poisoning pangamic acid will help neutralize toxic substances and remove them from the body. Thanks to her protein synthesis occurs, the amount of creatine phosphate in muscles and glycogen in the liver increase. Vitamin B15 is considered to be an anti-inflammatory and anti-hyaluronidase agent.

Interaction of vitamin B15 with elements of the body

This vitamin interacts well with vitamins A and E.

Signs of vitamin B15 deficiency

If there is a deficiency of pangamic acid in the body, then the supply of cells with oxygen can be disturbed, problems with the heart may arise, a person can become very tired. To signs of vitamin B15 deficiency also include premature aging, the onset of endocrine system diseases and nervous disorders.

Signs of excess vitamin B15 in the body

In old age, with an overabundance of vitamin B15, cardiac disorders, insomnia, headache, progression of adynamia and tachycardia can occur.

Products containing vitamin B15

To restore the level of vitamin B15 in your body, eat watermelon or pumpkin, liver, apricot kernels, wild rice and almonds, wheat, barley and buckwheat. All these products contain vitamin B15.