Other B Vitamins and Huntington's, caused by flawed neurotransmissions, mood disorders, manic depression have been treated successfully

September 16, 2006

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Other B Vitamins

PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) (see vitamin Bx) was formerly classified with the B complex group of vitamins. However, present knowledge maintains that it is not a vitamin for humans, even though it plays an indirect role as a component for folic acid, increases the effectiveness of B5, and assists in the proper utilization of protein. It can be synthesized in the body and does not require food for an adequate supply. It does have valuable sun-screening ability by reducing the pain of burns as well as protecting from sun exposure; but it can be destroyed by water, processing, alcohol, and such medications as antibacterial drugs that compete with PABA in the digestive tract, preventing the normal metabolism of folic acid by bacteria. The action of sulfonamide drugs is based on their structural relationship to PABA. Such PABA-containing compounds as Novocain can interfere with these drugs.

INOSITOL is a water-soluble, cyclic, six-carbon compound, closely related to glucose and necessary for the growth of human cells. There are nine isomers (forms) of inositol, but only myoinositol is of importance to plant and animal metablolism. In animal cells, it occurs as a component of phospholipids, while in plant cells it is found as phytic acid, an organic acid that binds calcium, iron, and zinc in an insoluble compound interfering with their absorption. In addition to occuring in foods, it is synthesized in the cells of the body and stored largely in the brain, muscles, liver, and kidneys. Like choline, inositol has a lipotropic effect, acting on fat metabolism hastening the removal of, or decreasing the deposits of, fats in the liver. It also exists in cells as a phosphatide (phosphatidylinositol).

When inositol is combined with choline, it forms lecithin. Inositol was first discovered in the urine of diabetics more than 100 years ago, but it was not until 1941 that Gavin and McHenry recognized its important metabolic action. It is generally considered to be nontoxic but can be the reverse to those experiencing kidney failure. It is not classified officially as a vitamin. It is present in practically all plants and animal tissues in higher concentrations than those normally associated with vitamins and, therefore, considered an essential nutrient by some. There are no definite requirement amounts for inositol in humans, but there is growing evidence that a deficiency can induce diabetes mellitus and MS. Supplementation appears beneficial in low birth weight infants and those with respiratory distress syndrome. It is reported to be a natural tranquillizer helping to prevent eczema. Interestingly, a child's body can contain more inositol than any other nutrient -- with the exception of niacin. Inositol can be destroyed by water, processing, alcohol, caffeine, and certain medications.

CHOLINE: From 1844 to 1846, N.T. Gobley isolated a substance from egg yolk which he called 'lecithin' (from the Greek word 'lekithos' meaning egg yolk). By 1940, two independent researchers were indicating its vitamin nature, which was confirmed by others a short time later. However, it was maintained that it has a vitamin-like character but does not meet all the criteria needed in order to be recognized as a true vitamin. One of its flaws is the fact that it has no known co-enzyme function. Once considered part of the B complex family, it is now recognized as only being closely associated with that family.

Choline is a methyl group donor that occurs in some phospholipids and is a component of sphingomyelin, lecithin, and the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. Working with inositol, choline helps to utilize fats and cholesterol. The amino acid, methionine and the B Vitamin, folacin, are essential for its synthesis. The demand for choline-containing compounds is high during the growth and development years and often exceeds the capacity for synthesis in the newborn. Choline may become deficient in certain neurologic diseases, especially in the elderly. Supplementation appears to alleviate symptoms of tardive dyskinesia and Huntington's disease. It is one of the few substances that goes directly into the brain cells, producing a chemical that helps the memory.

Choline supplementation can sometimes produce a soothing effect alleviating "twitchiness." It is reputed to help improve learning abilities; control cholesterol buildup; and assist the liver in eliminating toxins from the body. Injections of choline are able to lower blood pressure, but oral doses do not bring about the same result. Choline has also been used to treat such diseases as Parkinson's and Huntington's, caused by flawed neurotransmissions. Such mood disorders as manic depression have been treated successfully, more cheaply and more safely than with lithium.

Choline has shown to be effective against Type A and B hepatitis with fewer relapses and shorter symptomatic effects. A choline-containing substance, AL721, is proving to inhibit the replication of the AIDS virus in laboratory experiments and in lessening withdrawl symptoms of morphine addiction in mice.

Fatty liver is the most common manifestation of choline deficiency in experimental animals. Other manifestations appear as a result of cirrhosis of the liver, and hemorrhagic degeneration of the kidneys, adrenals, heart, and lungs. Researchers are still trying to determine if alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver is caused by the toxic effects of alcohol alone, or if aggravated by nutritional deficiencies including choline, since it is vital in the production and transportation of fats from the liver.

Choline is water soluble and can be destroyed by food processing, alcohol, sulfa drugs, antihistamines, and some antidepressants. Choline seems to increase the body's phosphorus level and since phosphorus and calcium should be kept in balance, taking large amounts of lecithin might cause increased calcium needs. According to the Pharmaceutical Handbook, choline causes an odor of dead fish on the breath and the body, but researchers have found this to be so only after excessive doses.

Both inositol and choline are now part of the average B complex and multivitamin supplement, and, of course, lecithin contains both.