Scientists Unveil Vitamin A5: A New Nutritional Breakthrough

At SupplySide Global, Dr. Ralph Rühl, CEO of Berlin-based Ciscarex, introduced a groundbreaking discovery: Vitamin A5, a new vitamin concept aimed at promoting brain and nerve health. This development stems from extensive research on nuclear receptors, conducted in collaboration with scientists from France and Spain, who collectively bring over 20 years of experience in retinoid and carotenoid studies.

Nuclear receptors function as ligand-activated transcription factors, regulating gene expression to control vital biological processes including cell proliferation, metabolism, and reproduction. Notably, the Retinoid X Receptor (RXR) requires a binding partner to activate these processes. Although a ligand was first proposed in 1992, it wasn’t until 2015 that Dr. Rühl and his team identified it, which was subsequently validated by the scientific community.

Discovery of Vitamin A5

Dr. Rühl emphasized the significance of having both a ligand and a nutritional precursor. “When there is a ligand, then there must also be a nutritional precursor,” he stated. Initial proposals regarding these precursors were made in a high-ranking nutritional journal, and by 2021, the team confirmed the existence of two nutritional precursors, suggesting that Vitamin A5 qualifies as a vitamin.

Research published in the journal Nutrients in 2024 indicates that approximately 66% of Europeans fall below the recommended daily intake of 1.1 mg of provitamin A5. The authors of the study noted, “This may be associated with non-optimal protection for general brain and nerve health.” They advocate for an increase in daily Vitamin A5 intake, recommending a diet rich in vegetables or dietary supplements to ensure adequate consumption.

Path to Recognition and Commercialization

Proposing a new vitamin is one step; obtaining official recognition is another. The last vitamin acknowledged was vitamin B12 in 1948. For a substance to be classified as a vitamin, it must meet four criteria: it must be an organic compound, essential for health, required in small amounts, and not sufficiently synthesized by the body, necessitating dietary intake.

The World Health Organization (WHO) serves as the authority on such matters, but it can only act following mandates from member states or organizations such as the European Commission. Dr. Rühl’s team is currently engaged in discussions with EU authorities, aiming for formal evaluation by the WHO. They have published scientific criteria supporting the status of Vitamin A5 and are confident it meets all necessary requirements.

With the foundational research in place, Ciscarex is progressing towards commercialization. The company holds patents and trademarks for Vitamin A5, intending to launch a global marketing campaign targeting healthcare professionals, including doctors and nutritionists. This initiative aims to raise awareness of Vitamin A5’s potential benefits for mental health and neurological well-being.

Watch the full interview with Dr. Rühl for more insights into this exciting development.