Orotic Acid
At a glance
- Best for
- no standalone use is supported; mostly seen as a mineral carrier
- Typical dose
- no established beneficial dose for orotic acid itself
- Time to effect
- Not established
- Main caution
- high orotic acid intake is linked to fatty liver in animal models
What is it
Orotic acid is an intermediate in the body's synthesis of pyrimidines (building blocks of nucleic acids) and was once mislabeled 'vitamin B13,' though it is not an essential vitamin. As a supplement it appears mainly as a mineral carrier (e.g. magnesium or lithium orotate), with claims that the orotate form improves mineral delivery. Direct clinical evidence for orotic acid itself is minimal, and high intake raises safety concerns.
Is it worth it for you?
Worth considering if…
- You are evaluating a specific mineral orotate and understand the orotate is just a carrier
Probably skip if…
- You believe it is an essential 'vitamin B13'
- You want a proven benefit from orotic acid itself
- You would take high doses
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Evidence | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| mineral delivery as an orotate salt | Mixed Evidence | Not established vs other salts | none clearly established | Not established |
Evidence for 1 use
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
mineral delivery as an orotate salt
Mechanism onlyOrotic acid is used to form mineral 'orotate' salts (such as magnesium orotate), with marketing claims that orotate improves cellular mineral uptake. Evidence that orotate salts outperform cheaper, well-studied mineral forms is weak and largely mechanistic, and any benefit observed comes from the mineral rather than orotic acid. There is no good evidence orotic acid provides a benefit on its own.
Bottom line: Orotate is a mineral carrier with no proven advantage over standard mineral salts; orotic acid itself has no established benefit.
How to take it
- Typical dose
- No established beneficial dose; in mineral orotates the relevant nutrient is the mineral, not orotic acid
- Timing
- Per the specific mineral product
- With food
- With food
- How long to try
- Not established
What to track
- The mineral status you are actually targeting (e.g. magnesium)
- Any GI upset
Safety
Common side effects
GI upset at higher intake
Serious risks
- High orotic acid intake causes hepatic fat accumulation (fatty liver) in animal models; relevance and threshold in humans are unclear
Who should avoid it
- People with liver disease
- Anyone treating it as an essential vitamin
- Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals (no data)
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
No reliable safety data for supplemental orotic acid in pregnancy or breastfeeding; avoid.
Choosing a product
Look for
- If buying a mineral orotate, the elemental mineral amount stated clearly
- Reputable brand with third-party testing
- Honest labeling that does not call it a vitamin
Be skeptical of
- 'Vitamin B13' branding
- Claims of superior mineral absorption without evidence
- Disease-treatment or anti-aging claims
References by claim
Track Orotic Acid with Pilora
Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.
Coming to App StoreDisclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.