Vitamin-like substances: characteristics and rationale for their use in specialized food products
Authors:
Alla A. Kochetkova, Ekaterina L. Oganesiants, Varuzhan A. Sarkisyan , Roman V. Sobolev, Valentina M. Vorobyeva, Anastasiya S. Bilyalova, Irina S. Vorobyeva
Abstract:
The authors present a systematic review of meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials devoted to assessing the feasibility of using vitamin-like substances (L-carnitine, inositol, α-lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10, choline, orotic acid, para-aminobenzoic acid, methylmethionine sulfonium) in specialized food products. The purpose of the study is to identify target populations whom such use is justified for most of all. The methodology included searching the OpenAlex database (2020–2025), analyzing open meta-analyses, and comparing clinically effective doses with the upper permissible levels (UPLs) according to the Unified Sanitary and Epidemiological Requirements of the Customs Union. It has been established that for L-carnitine (effective dose of 1000–2000 mg/day with an upper tolerable intake level of 900 mg/ day), α-lipoic acid (600–1800 mg/day with an upper tolerable intake level of 100 mg/day) and orotic acid (1000–3000 mg/day with an upper tolerable intake level of 900 mg/day), therapeutic dosages significantly exceed regulatory limits, which excludes their use in specialized food products without violating regulatory requirements. For inositol (600–4000 mg/day with a tolerable upper intake level of 1500 mg/day), an overlap in dosages for reducing body mass index was found, allowing its inclusion in food products to be recommended. The effective dosage of coenzyme Q10 (100–500 mg/day with a tolerable upper intake level of 100 mg/day) partially complies with regulatory limits. Its use is advisable as an adjunct to traditional therapy for chronic heart failure. It is concluded that the inclusion of L-carnitine, α-lipoic acid, and orotic acid in specialized food products is inappropriate; inositol and coenzyme Q10 can be used to correct metabolic disorders and in the complex therapy of cardiometabolic disorders, respectively. Further research on the combined use of vitamin-like substances is promising.
Keywords:
vitamin-like substances; specialized food products; meta-analysis; L-carnitine; inositol; alpha-lipoic acid; coenzyme Q10; upper tolerable level
For citation:
Kochetkova A.A., Oganesiants E.L., Sarkisyan V.A., Sobolev R.V., Vorobyeva V.M., Bilyalova A.S., Vorobyeva I.S. Vitamin-like substances: characteristics and rationale for their use in specialized food products. Индустрия питания|Food Industry. 2026. Vol. 11, No. 2. Pp. 127–138. DOI: 10.29141/2500-1922-2026-11-2-13. EDN: HXLHYS.
