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orotic acid

Also known as: Vitamin B13, orotic acid, C5H4N2O4, Orotic acid

Overview

Orotic acid is a naturally occurring compound that serves as a crucial intermediate in the biosynthetic pathway of pyrimidines, which are essential building blocks for DNA and RNA. While sometimes referred to as Vitamin B13, it is not considered a vitamin in the classical sense. It is found in small amounts in various foods. As a supplement, orotic acid is primarily utilized for its potential cardiovascular benefits and to support energy metabolism, often in the form of magnesium orotate. Research on orotic acid is moderate, with studies highlighting its role in improving myocardial energy status and exercise tolerance, particularly in individuals with heart conditions. However, more comprehensive, large-scale human studies are needed to fully establish its clinical efficacy and long-term safety.

Benefits

Orotic acid, especially when complexed with magnesium as magnesium orotate, has shown promising benefits primarily in cardiovascular health. It can improve the energy status of the myocardium, particularly under stress conditions like myocardial infarction or severe physical exertion. Studies indicate that orotic acid can enhance myocardial purine and pyrimidine levels, improve tolerance to global ischemia, and reduce the severity of chronic myocardial dysfunction. This makes it particularly beneficial for individuals with heart disease or cardiomyopathy. Magnesium orotate may also improve exercise tolerance in patients with coronary artery disease and trained athletes. While it supports general cellular metabolism through its role in pyrimidine biosynthesis, direct metabolic benefits in humans are less documented. The observed effects are generally modest, and while improvements in myocardial function and exercise tolerance have been noted in both short-term and longer-term studies, the clinical significance and long-term benefits require further investigation.

How it works

Orotic acid functions primarily as an intermediate in the pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway. Within the body, it is converted into orotidine-5'-monophosphate (OMP) by the enzyme orotate phosphoribosyltransferase (OPRT). This conversion is a critical step in the synthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides, which are fundamental components of DNA and RNA, essential for cell growth, division, and repair. In the context of cardiovascular health, orotic acid is believed to enhance the energy status of the myocardium by augmenting the levels of both purine and pyrimidine nucleotides. This mechanism helps support cardiac function, especially under conditions of stress or reduced oxygen supply, by providing necessary building blocks for energy production and cellular repair within heart muscle cells.

Side effects

Orotic acid is generally considered safe when used appropriately, though comprehensive long-term safety data is limited. There are no commonly or uncommonly reported side effects documented in the available literature. Similarly, rare side effects have not been identified in peer-reviewed research. While no specific drug interactions are well-documented, caution is advised when combining orotic acid with medications that influence pyrimidine metabolism. There are no general contraindications; however, individuals with specific metabolic disorders, particularly inborn errors of the urea cycle, should avoid orotic acid. This is because it can exacerbate orotic aciduria, a condition characterized by excessive excretion of orotic acid in the urine, which can be a marker of certain metabolic derangements. Therefore, individuals with metabolic disorders involving arginine metabolism should exercise caution and consult a healthcare professional before supplementation.

Dosage

The minimum effective dose for orotic acid is not firmly established, as studies have utilized varying dosages, often in the form of magnesium orotate. Typical dosages range from a few hundred milligrams to a few grams per day. For instance, magnesium orotate has been used in studies, suggesting that the combined form is a common approach. There is no officially established maximum safe dose; however, high doses should be approached with caution due to potential, though not fully elucidated, effects on lipid metabolism. There are no specific timing considerations documented for its administration, and it is typically taken orally. Magnesium orotate is frequently recommended due to the additional benefits provided by magnesium. The absorption factors for orotic acid are not extensively studied, but oral administration is generally assumed to be well-absorbed. No specific cofactors are known to be required for orotic acid supplementation.

FAQs

Is orotic acid a vitamin?

No, despite sometimes being called Vitamin B13, orotic acid is not considered a true vitamin. It is a naturally occurring compound involved in metabolic pathways.

What are the main benefits of orotic acid?

Orotic acid primarily supports cardiovascular health by improving myocardial energy status and exercise tolerance, especially in individuals with heart conditions.

Are there any significant side effects or risks?

Orotic acid is generally considered safe with no commonly reported side effects. However, individuals with certain metabolic disorders should use it cautiously.

How should I take orotic acid?

There are no specific timing recommendations; it is typically taken orally. It is often supplemented as magnesium orotate, with dosages varying from hundreds of milligrams to a few grams daily.

Can orotic acid interact with medications?

While no specific drug interactions are well-documented, caution is advised if taking medications that affect pyrimidine metabolism. Consult a healthcare professional if you have concerns.

Research Sources

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9794088/ – This review and symposium presentation discusses the beneficial effects of metabolic supplementation with orotic acid and magnesium orotate on the myocardium under stress conditions. It highlights improvements in myocardial purine and pyrimidine levels, enhanced tolerance to global ischemia, and reduced severity of chronic myocardial dysfunction in various animal models and some human trials, suggesting its potential for cardiovascular health and exercise tolerance.
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/5/2507 – This laboratory study describes a facile fluorometric assay for measuring orotate phosphoribosyltransferase (OPRT) activity using orotic acid as a substrate. The research provides a method to understand the metabolic pathway of orotic acid, which is crucial for pyrimidine biosynthesis, though it does not directly address clinical benefits.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17513443/ – This review examines the relationship between orotic acid excretion and arginine metabolism. It highlights that increased orotic acid excretion can be a valuable indicator for detecting derangements in arginine metabolism and is associated with various metabolic disorders, emphasizing the importance of considering metabolic context when using orotic acid.