Lipotropic

Lipotropic

Lipotropic compounds are those which help catalyse the break down of fat during metabolismin the body.

Choline is the major lipotrope in mammals and other known lipotropes are important only insofar as they contribute to the synthesis of choline (Barak, 1973)

A lipotropic nutrient is one that promotes or encourages the export of fat from the liver. Lipotropics are necessary for the maintenance of a healthy liver as well as burning the exported fat for additional energy. Without lipotropics such as choline and inositol, fats and bile can become trapped in the liver, causing severe problems such as cirrhosis and blocking fat metabolism. Choline is essential for fat metabolism. Choline functions as a methyl donor and it is required for proper liver function. Like inositol, choline is a lipotropic. Inositol exerts lipotropic effects as well. An "unofficial" member of the B vitamins, inositol has even been shown to relieve depression and panic attacks. Methionine, an essential amino acid, is the major lipotropic compound in humans. When estrogen levels are high, the body requires more methionine. Estrogens reduce bile flow through the liver and increase bile cholesterol levels. Methionine helps deactivate estrogens.

Methionine levels also affect the amount of sulfur-containing compounds, such as glutathione, in the liver. Glutathione and other sulfur-containing peptides (small proteins) play a critical role in defending against toxic compounds. When higher levels of toxic compounds are present, more methionine is needed.

Choline assists detoxification reactions in the liver. Although choline can be synthesized from methionine or serine, recent evidence indicates that choline is an essential nutrient.

Betaine hydrochloride is a powerful lipotropic and increases gastric acid. [cite web|url=http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/betaine-hydrochloride|title=Betaine Hydrochloride Information on Healthline|accessdate=2008-04-24]

References


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • lipotropic — adj. (Chem.) having an affinity for lipids. Syn: lipophilic. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • lipotropic — [lip΄ō träp′ik, lip΄əträp′ik; lī΄pōträp′ ik, lī΄pəträp′ik] adj. [ LIPO + TROPIC] regulating or reducing the accumulation of fat in the body or its organs lipotropism [li pä′trə piz΄əm, līpä′trə piz΄əm] n …   English World dictionary

  • lipotropic — adjective Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary Date: 1903 promoting the physiological utilization of fat < lipotropic dietary factors > …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • lipotropic — 1. Pertaining to substances preventing or correcting excessive fat deposits in liver such as occurs in choline deficiency. 2. Relating to lipotropy. * * * li·po·tro·pic .lip ō trō pik, .līp , träp ik also li·po·tro·phic trō fik adj promoting the… …   Medical dictionary

  • lipotropic hormone — lipotropinas statusas T sritis chemija apibrėžtis Baltyminis hipofizės hormonas. atitikmenys: angl. lipotropic hormone; lipotropin rus. липотропин; липотропный гормон ryšiai: sinonimas – lipotropinis hormonas …   Chemijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • lipotropic — lipotropism /li po treuh piz euhm, luy /, n. /lip euh trop ik, troh pik, luy peuh /, adj. Chem., Biochem. having an affinity for lipids and thus preventing or correcting excess accumulation of fat in the liver. [1930 35; LIPO 1 + TROPIC] * * * …   Universalium

  • lipotropic — adjective a) having an affinity for lipids; lipophilic b) helping to metabolize lipids See Also: lipotropin …   Wiktionary

  • lipotropic — adj. having an affinity for lipids and therefore preventing the buildup of excess fat in the liver (Biochemistry) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • lipotropic — li·po·trop·ic …   English syllables

  • lipotropic — adj. describing a substance that promotes the transport of fatty acids from the liver to the tissues or accelerates the utilization of fat in the liver itself. An example of such a substance is the amino acid methionine …   The new mediacal dictionary

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