What Is Vitamin U? 

What Is Vitamin U? 

You've heard of Vitamin C and Vitamin D, but what about Vitamin U? Despite its name, Vitamin U isn't actually a traditional vitamin. It's a natural compound called S-methylmethionine (SMM), found in many green vegetables.

It was first discovered in the 1950s, when researchers noticed it helped heal stomach ulcers: which is exactly how it got the name "U."

What Is Vitamin U?

Vitamin U is a plant-based compound that acts like an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent in the body. It supports healing, protects the stomach lining, and helps keep skin and gut health in check.

While it doesn't have an official recommended daily dose like other vitamins, its benefits are well-recognized in natural health circles.

Where Can You Get Vitamin U?

The good news: Vitamin U is easy to get through everyday vegetables. The richest sources include:

• Cabbage (especially raw cabbage juice, the original ulcer remedy)

• Broccoli

• Kale

• Brussels sprouts

• Spinach

• Asparagus

• Romaine lettuce

• Turnip greens

Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, and kale tend to have the highest amounts. Eating these raw or lightly cooked helps preserve the compound.

What Are the Benefits of Vitamin U?

Vitamin U offers a surprisingly wide range of health benefits:

1. Gut & Digestive Health: It helps heal the stomach lining, reduce gastric inflammation, and ease conditions like ulcers, gastritis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

2. Skin Health: Vitamin U boosts collagen production, speeds up wound healing, reduces redness and acne, and helps with skin hydration and repair.

3. Antioxidant Protection: It neutralizes free radicals that cause premature aging and cell damage from UV rays and pollution.

4. Detoxification: It supports liver function, helping your body flush out toxins — which also contributes to clearer skin and more energy.