Description | myo-Inositol hexakisphosphate is an intermediate in inositol phosphate metabolism. It can be generated from D-myo-inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate via the enzyme inositol-pentakisphosphate 2-kinase (EC 2.7.1.158). myo-Inositol hexakisphosphate is also known as phytic acid. It can be used clinically as a complexing agent for the removal of traces of heavy metal ions. It acts also as a hypocalcemic agent. Phytic acid is a strong chelator of important minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc and can, therefore, contribute to mineral deficiencies in developing countries. For people with a particularly low intake of essential minerals, especially young children and those in developing countries, this effect can be undesirable. However, dietary mineral chelators help prevent over-mineralization of joints, blood vessels, and other parts of the body, which is most common in older persons. Phytic acid is a plant antioxidant (PMID: 3040709 ). |
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InChI Identifier | InChI=1S/C6H18O24P6/c7-31(8,9)25-1-2(26-32(10,11)12)4(28-34(16,17)18)6(30-36(22,23)24)5(29-35(19,20)21)3(1)27-33(13,14)15/h1-6H,(H2,7,8,9)(H2,10,11,12)(H2,13,14,15)(H2,16,17,18)(H2,19,20,21)(H2,22,23,24)/t1-,2-,3-,4+,5-,6- |
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