SLIDESHOW: Vitamin U, Not Your Usual Vitamin

Get the 101 on Vitamin U and look through a gallery of inspiring ways to incorporate foods that contain this nutrient into your diet.

Okay, so it isn't actually a "vitamin" at all! Vitamin U is a derivative of the amino acid, methionine. Amino acids play a variety of important roles within the body. Some of which include assisting in the creation and growth of muscles, connective tissue, and skin, assisting in maintaining muscle tone and tissue strength, healing and repair, normal digestion, providing energy for your body, regulating moods by helping produce hormones, producing neurotransmitters, and maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails.

In the 1950s, Vitamin U was promoted as being helpful for those who have stomach ulcers. Drinking cabbage juice was touted as a great way to deliver this nutrient. Since then, studies have shown Vitamin U can help reverse liver damage, support kidney health, and repair the lungs from damage. Other studies have shown this powerful compound can lower cholesterol, and can aid in wound healing and skin protection. You may notice Vitamin U shows up in a lot of beauty and skin care products these days. 

Vitamin U can be taken in supplement form, but as we always like to promote, there are great ways to get this nutrient directly from your food. Click through the slide show above for some inspiration for dishes that contain Brussels sprouts, cabbage, parsley, kale, celery, broccoli and spinach - all great sources for Vitamin U. 

*It always best to consult your dotor before taking supplements.