Orotic acid (pyrimidine-carboxylic acid) used to be known as a vitamin B13 however it has since been declassed and is no longer considered to be a vitamin. This compound is manufactured in the body via a mitochondrial enzyme, dihydroorotate dehydrogenase. It is produced by the body’s intestinal flora and is used for the metabolism of vitamin B12 and vitamin B9.
Orotic acid aids the absorption of many vital nutrients especially calcium, lithium, magnesium, potassium and zinc. It also aids the production of genetic materials such as pyrimidine bases inside the body.
Orotic acid is known as a heterocyclic compound and as pyrimidine-carboxylic acid. As an organic insoluble fat, orotate is formed when the pyrimidine-carboxylic acid is bonded with potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc and other minerals.
Such minerals are conveyed into the blood from the digestive tract by the orate salts being separated in the blood stream. It also helps in improving the pyrimidine and myocardial purine levels by stimulating the blood stream to release uridine.
Orotic acid is required for efficient brain functioning and the health of the nervous system and has a positive effect on foetal development during pregnancy. It improves reproductive health as well and is effective in treating skin diseases such as ichthyosis, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and eczema.
It is also beneficial after a heart attack and is used in conditions such as chronic hepatitis and multiple sclerosis. It also helps prevent premature aging and liver-related complications and is a partial substitute for vitamin B12 deficiency.
Orotic acid toxicity
A build-up of orotic acid in the body can lead to orotic acidemia and aciduria. It may be a symptom of an increased ammonia load due to a metabolic disorder, such as a urea cycle disorder. Excess carbamoyl phosphate is converted into orotic acid.
Excess orotic acid can cause mutations in mammalian somatic cells that make up all the internal organs and bones, blood, connective tissues and skin. It can also cause mutations in bacteria and yeast.
Deficiency of orotic acid
A deficiency of orotic acid may lead to premature aging, cell degeneration and liver disorders. Orotic acid deficiency is an important indicator of ammonia metabolism or any genetic disorders that may lead to death.
What can cause a deficiency of orotic acid?
- Alcohol over consumption
- Antibiotics
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Diarrhoea
- Intestinal disorders
- Medications
- Recreational drugs
- Liver disorders
- Virus infections
Natural sources of orotic acid in alphabetical order
- Beetroot
- Brewer’s yeast
- Calf’s liver
- Carrots
- Cheese
- Cow’s milk
- Goat’s milk
- Parsnips
- Turnips
- Whey
- Yoghurt
Related subjects
- A-Z of nutrients
- Bone and joint disorders
- Brain disorders
- Calcium
- Feed your friendly bacteria
- Infertility
- Liver disorders
- Lithium
- Magnesium
- Multiple sclerosis
- Nerve disorders
- Potassium
- Pregnancy
- Skin disorders
- Vitamin B9
- Vitamin B12
- Zinc