Vitamins are absolutely essential for life. The human body cannot create its own vitamins which is why food is so magical- it provides the exact nutrients we need to keep breathing each day. It can be difficult to keep track of all the different types of vitamins and there always seem to be new ones popping up left and right. In fact, vitamins are quite a new discovery in the scientific world so there is constantly new information to learn about them. We have provided a list of the top 10 lesser-known vitamins to help compile and simplify the growing list of vitamins.
- Vitamin P
You may have never heard of vitamin P because it refers to a diverse group of plant chemicals better known as flavonoids. In the 1930s, vitamin P was first co-discovered with Vitamin C when it was shown to be effective in the proper functioning and absorption of Vitamin C when treating sailors for scurvy, a disease caused by a Vitamin C deficiency. Flavonoids have many beneficial health roles such as reducing inflammation and the risk of heart disease. Vitamin P supplements are often included with Vitamin C and may contain citrin (found in lemons), rutin (found in asparagus and buckwheat), and hesperidin (found in many citrus fruits).
- Vitamin T
Vitamin T seems to be the forgotten vitamin with little research and attention paid to it. Also called torulitine, Vitamin T is found in egg yolks and sesame seeds. Vitamin T has been proposed to have some involvement with blood clotting and therefore, could help in treating anemia or blood disorders. The Oxford Dictionary of Food and Nutrition states that Vitamin T may promote protein synthesis and growth, but the vitamin’s makeup is still up in the air.
- Vitamin U
Vitamin U is another elusive vitamin with not much conclusive evidence about its role in the human body. Technically, Vitamin U is not a true vitamin since it is a derivative of the amino acid methionine. One study shows the healing effect of Vitamin U on stomach ulcers by consuming raw cabbage on a daily basis. Additionally, Vitamin U has been demonstrated to protect the liver in rats from damage induced by specific medications. Vitamin U can be found in other foods besides cabbage such as broccoli, Brussel sprouts, and kale.
- Vitamin F
While some people have classified Vitamin F as a vitamin, it is more correctly known as two different polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAS) called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid (LA). You may ask why these two fatty acids are misclassified as a vitamin and the answer is that the name simply stuck since their discovery in the 1920s. Both ALA and LA are “essential” fatty acids, meaning your body cannot produce them by itself and therefore, must be incorporated into the human diet. Good sources of these fatty acids (omega-3 fatty acids) are vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds. There are countless benefits to consuming PUFAS such as regulating cholesterol levels, aiding in the growth of healthy skin and hair, combating heart disease, and helping with weight reduction by burning saturated fats.
- PABA (Para-aminobenzoic Acid)
PABA is the newest member of the B-complex family and should be welcomed with open arms because of its potentially amazing role as a radiosensitizer meaning it has the ability to enhance the anti-tumor activity of radiation therapy in cancer. PABA is also involved in the production of folic acid and some people even claim combining PABA with folic acid supplements can reverse graying hair. Good sources of PABA along with other B vitamins include liver, brewer’s yeast, whole grains, rice, bran, and molasses.
- Vitamin B4 (Adenine)
Almost every vitamin list skips over Vitamin B4 and if you were ever curious as to what was between Vitamin B3 (niacin) and B5 (pantothenic acid), look no further. Vitamin B4 is also known as adenine, one of the essential components of DNA and RNA. Some of the health benefits Vitamin B4 promotes include strengthening the immune system, balancing blood sugar levels, and alleviating fatigue. This vitamin can be found in almost every fruit and vegetable as well as whole grains and some herbs. Interestingly, recent research proposes Vitamin B4 as a salt substitute in bread to curb the overconsumption of salt that has contributed to the growing rate of heart disease.
- Vitamin B13 (Orotic Acid)
Everyone always talks about Vitamin B12 but no one ever mentions what comes after 12. Vitamin B13 naturally occurs in dairy products and has been incorporated into feed for cattle to boost growth. Some people have suggested that Vitamin B13 can help assist in the bulking of muscles for athletes. However, this vitamin has not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for safe supplementation as not enough research has been done to establish nutrition guidelines or parameters.
- B15 (Pangamic Acid)
B15 cannot be identified as a legitimate vitamin because there is controversy as to whether it is an essential requirement for diet. You may not have heard of B15 since the US Food and Drug Administration has made it illegal to sell B15 as a food additive or supplement due to its potential gene altering properties. While the US has banned B15 supplementation, Russia has used it for many therapeutic purposes, but most popularly for improving athletic performance.
- Vitamin B17
Vitamin B17 has also been mistaken for a vitamin when it is actually a compound of two sugar molecules. This vitamin is also not available in the US due to a lack of evidence supporting its role as an alternative cancer treatment. B17 contains a small amount cyanide, a popular poison and deadly chemical, which accounts for much of the controversy surrounding this nutrient. Apricot kernels are the richest source of B17 but lima beans, millet, and bitter almonds also contain some B17.
- Inositol
Inositol is another member of the extensive B-complex family and primarily aids in the metabolism of fat and regulation of cholesterol levels. Many functions of inositol are still unknown but various studies have shown possible management of metabolic disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, and gynecological diseases. The best natural sources of inositol are liver, lima beans, cantaloupe, grapefruit, raisins, peanuts, unrefined molasses, and cabbage.
