Vitamin B4 also known as Adenine is the member of the Vitamin B-Complex family. Vitamin B4 is also one of the water-soluble vitamins. Adenine is a compound that acts as a co-enzyme with other compounds such as vitamins and helpful in producing energy. Adenine is one of the nitrogenous bases of DNA also helpful in making a code for DNA and is a very important component of the DNA. It is a purine. Adenine forms a bond with thiamine in the DNA. This vitamin B4 also forms a part of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which is important in the transport of energy between many reactions and also forms adenosine which plays an important role in various biochemical processes. It enables the change of phosphate group which then provide energy which is very necessary for various cellular reactions and for cells’ life.
Sources
It mostly occurs in the plants so these are as follow.
Plant Sources: These include vegetables, Brewer’s yeast, propolis, fresh fruits, whole grains containing bread and cereals, bee pollen, raw unadulterated honey, and royal jelly. It is also found in complex carbohydrates.
Adenine is also found in the various herbs such as blue cohosh, blessed thistle, ginger, burdock, cascara sagrada, capsicum (cayenne), caraway, catnip, cloves, and couch grass
Functions
- Since it acts as a co-enzyme with other vitamins so it, therefore, enhances metabolism.
- It increases the formation of antibodies which are helpful in counteracting various infections.
- It plays a role as a precursor of assimilation of other B-vitamins.
- It helps to remove fatigue, weakness, and debility.
- It plays a role as a precursor of assimilation of other B-vitamins.
- It causes promotion of cell formation as well as normal growth.
- It Increases the transit time of the intestinal tract of the body.
- It also helps to maintain the balance of blood sugar levels in our body.
- It strengthens our immune system and its response.
- It causes promotion of cell formation as well as normal growth.
- It causes prevention of cellular mutation and formation of free radical
- It also helps to maintain balance of blood sugar levels in our body.
- It increases the transit time of the intestinal tract of the body.
- This vitamin B4 has been found useful in the treatment of various diseases such as ulcer, constipation, and dyspepsia.
- Adenine also reduced cholesterol levels.
- It may be useful in treating bile obstruction, alopecia, sinusitis, and dandruff. It is helpful in curing atrial tachycardia.
Deficiency
- Vitamin B-4 lead to growth retardation blood disorders, skin disorders and gastrointestinal disturbances, such as constipation, vomiting or nausea.
- It causes muscle weakness, sensitivity to insulin, and low blood glucose level.
- There may arise physically as well as mental depression, fatigue, anemia, vertigo, and dizziness.
- Allergies and increase susceptibility to infections occur due to a poor immune system.
Surplus
There is no such evidence of toxicity due to increase amount of this vitamin in our body.
Amna Sheikh is a medical doctor with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), Bachelors in Economics and Statistics. She is also a medical writer working as a freelancer for 10+ years and she is specialized in medical, health, and pharmaceutical writing, regulatory writing & clinical research. All her work is supported by a strong academic and professional experience.