Non-vitamins / non-vitamins

A series of substances that are said to have a vitamin-like effect, but which are not normally essential or whose endogenous synthesis fulfils the requirement under normal circumstances or which do not occur naturally in the human organism at all.

Bioflavonoids

"Vitamin P"

Not naturally occurring in the organism; may already have protective effects in nutritive doses.

Carnitine

"Vitamin_Br"

C₇H₁₅NO₃ (MW: 161.20)

Normally sufficient self-synthesis.
Involved in the transport of long-chain fatty acids at the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Laetrile

"Vitamin B₁₇"

(L)-almond nitrile-β-glucuronoside

C₁₄H₁₈O₇ (MW: 298.29)

Not naturally occurring in the organism; benefit doubtful.

α-Lipoic acid

Reduced form: C₈H₁₆O₂S₂ (MW: 208.38); Oxidised form: C₈H₁₄O₂S₂ (MW: 206.33)

Normally sufficient self-synthesis. Sometimes helpful in diabetic neuropathy.

Methylmethionine sulphonium chloride

"Vitamin U"

C₆H₁₅Cl₂NO₂S (MW: 236.16)

Normally sufficient self-synthesis.

Orotic acid

"Vitamin B₁₃"

C₅H₄N₂O₄ (MW: 156.10)

Not naturally occurring in the organism; benefit doubtful.

Pangamic acid

"Vitamin B₁₅"

C₂₀H₄₂N₂O₆ (MW: 406.56)

Not naturally occurring in the organism; suspected to be carcinogenic!

Ubiquinone / coenzyme Q

Normally sufficient self-synthesis.