Pangamic acid: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 05:30, 16 February 2025

A compound once considered a vitamin

Overview[edit]

Pangamic acid, also known as vitamin B15, is a compound that was once thought to be a vitamin. It was first isolated from apricot kernels and was believed to have various health benefits, including enhancing oxygen utilization, improving circulation, and detoxifying the body. However, its status as a vitamin is not recognized by modern science.

Chemical Structure[edit]

Pangamic acid is chemically described as a diisopropylamine salt of gluconic acid. Its structure includes a gluconate moiety linked to a dimethylglycine (DMG) component. The compound is often associated with calcium pangamate, which is a related salt form.

Historical Context[edit]

Pangamic acid was first introduced in the 1950s by Russian scientists who claimed it had numerous health benefits. It was marketed as a dietary supplement and was popular in alternative medicine circles. However, subsequent research failed to substantiate these claims, and it is not recognized as an essential nutrient.

Controversy and Regulation[edit]

The use of pangamic acid as a supplement has been controversial. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved it as a treatment for any medical condition. The FDA has also issued warnings about products labeled as containing pangamic acid, citing concerns about their safety and efficacy.

Current Understanding[edit]

Today, pangamic acid is not considered a vitamin or an essential nutrient. Research has not demonstrated any significant health benefits, and it is not included in the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) or Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) established by health authorities.

Related Compounds[edit]

Pangamic acid is often associated with dimethylglycine (DMG), a compound that is sometimes marketed as a dietary supplement. DMG is a derivative of the amino acid glycine and is believed by some to have health benefits, although scientific evidence is limited.

Related pages[edit]

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-'''Pangamic Acid''', often referred to as vitamin B15, is a term used to describe a variety of substances that contain [[dimethylglycine]] (DMG) and [[gluconic acid]]. Despite its initial classification as a vitamin, subsequent research has failed to confirm essential vitamin qualities or definitive physiological benefits in humans. The compound was first isolated in the 1950s by Dr. Ernst T. Krebs and his son, who claimed it had various health benefits, including improving cardiovascular health, enhancing liver function, and acting as an antioxidant. However, these claims lack substantial scientific backing, and the use of pangamic acid as a dietary supplement remains controversial.
+{{short description|A compound once considered a vitamin}}
+{{DISPLAYTITLE:Pangamic acid}}
-==Composition and Sources==
+==Overview==
-Pangamic acid is not a single compound but rather a mixture that primarily includes dimethylglycine and gluconic acid. Dimethylglycine is a derivative of the amino acid [[glycine]] and is naturally present in small amounts in the body and in certain foods, such as grains and liver. Gluconic acid is a compound derived from glucose. Commercial supplements labeled as pangamic acid may vary significantly in their actual composition.
+[[File:Pangamic_acid_Structure_V.1.svg|thumb|right|Chemical structure of Pangamic acid]]
+'''Pangamic acid''', also known as '''vitamin B15''', is a compound that was once thought to be a vitamin. It was first isolated from apricot kernels and was believed to have various health benefits, including enhancing oxygen utilization, improving circulation, and detoxifying the body. However, its status as a vitamin is not recognized by modern science.
-==Claimed Benefits==
+==Chemical Structure==
-Proponents of pangamic acid have attributed a wide range of health benefits to its use, including:
+Pangamic acid is chemically described as a [[diisopropylamine]] salt of [[gluconic acid]]. Its structure includes a [[gluconate]] moiety linked to a [[dimethylglycine]] (DMG) component. The compound is often associated with [[calcium pangamate]], which is a related salt form.
-* Enhancing oxygen utilization and athletic performance
-* Detoxifying the body, particularly the liver
-* Acting as an antioxidant
-* Reducing symptoms of conditions like asthma, rheumatism, and autism
-However, these claims are not supported by rigorous scientific evidence. Research on pangamic acid is limited, and existing studies have not conclusively demonstrated its efficacy for these purported health benefits.
+==Historical Context==
+Pangamic acid was first introduced in the 1950s by Russian scientists who claimed it had numerous health benefits. It was marketed as a dietary supplement and was popular in alternative medicine circles. However, subsequent research failed to substantiate these claims, and it is not recognized as an essential nutrient.
-==Safety and Regulation==
+==Controversy and Regulation==
-The safety of pangamic acid supplements has been a subject of debate. In the United States, the [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) has questioned the safety of these supplements and has taken action against companies making unfounded health claims. The FDA does not recognize pangamic acid as a vitamin or as a substance with proven health benefits, leading to restrictions on its sale and marketing.
+The use of pangamic acid as a supplement has been controversial. In the United States, the [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) has not approved it as a treatment for any medical condition. The FDA has also issued warnings about products labeled as containing pangamic acid, citing concerns about their safety and efficacy.
-==Conclusion==
+==Current Understanding==
-While pangamic acid was once touted as a beneficial health supplement, the lack of scientific evidence supporting its efficacy and safety concerns have led to skepticism and regulatory scrutiny. Individuals considering the use of pangamic acid supplements should consult healthcare professionals and consider the current scientific consensus, which does not support its use for health enhancement.
+Today, pangamic acid is not considered a vitamin or an essential nutrient. Research has not demonstrated any significant health benefits, and it is not included in the [[Recommended Dietary Allowances]] (RDAs) or [[Dietary Reference Intakes]] (DRIs) established by health authorities.
+==Related Compounds==
+Pangamic acid is often associated with [[dimethylglycine]] (DMG), a compound that is sometimes marketed as a dietary supplement. DMG is a derivative of the amino acid [[glycine]] and is believed by some to have health benefits, although scientific evidence is limited.
+==See Also==
+* [[Vitamin B complex]]
+* [[Dietary supplement]]
+* [[Alternative medicine]]
+==Related pages==
+* [[Vitamins]]
+* [[Nutritional supplement]]
+* [[Food and Drug Administration]]
 [[Category:Vitamins]]
 [[Category:Dietary supplements]]
-{{medicine-stub}}