Vitabis
Vitabis is a term used in nutrition science to denote a proposed family of vitamin-like bioactive compounds. Unlike established essential vitamins, vitabis are not universally recognized as required nutrients, and their classification remains debated among researchers. The name combines a root related to life with a sense of biological activity, reflecting their proposed functional role rather than a traditional vitamin category.
Vitabis are described as lipid-soluble micronutrients with a flexible ring-based scaffold and variable side chains. This
Reportedly, vitabis have been detected in a limited set of marine microorganisms and certain microalgae. The
Biological roles and research status
In vitro studies have indicated antioxidant effects, membrane stabilization, and modulation of pathways linked to metabolism
At present, vitabis occupy a speculative position within nutrition science. They are not recognized as essential