Pantothenic Acid (B5) DESCRIPTION: The name pantothenic acid comes from the word "panthos" meaning everywhere. Pantothenic acid is a water-soluble vitamin and a member of the B complex. The vitamin is normally presented in supplement form as Calcium pantothenate. STABILITY Pantothenic acid is destroyed by heat, acid (e.g. vinegar) or alkali (e.g. bicarbonate). The vitamin is also lost through leaching into cooking water. FUNCTIONS Pantothenic acid is a part of the coenzyme A molecule that plays such an important part in the process of releasing energy from foods (fat, carbohydrates, protein and alcohol). Pantothenic acid is also of great importance in the function of the adrenal gland, and in the formation of antibodies. DEFICIENCY A major deficiency of pantothenic acid does not cause a well-defined deficiency disease. Human subjects who have voluntarily deprived themselves of pantothenic acid describe developing symptoms of fatigue, headache, dizziness, muscle weakness and gastrointestinal disturbance. Back to Top   REQUIREMENTS Upper safe level for daily supplementation = 500 mg Recommended Daily Allowance = 6mg Back to Top   SUPPLEMENTAL USES Stress: Due to its known role in the health of the adrenal gland and in the production of corticosteroid hormones, pantothenic acid is often advocated as a nutritional supplement to help the body cope with stress. Allergies: Pantothenic acid may also help to reduce allergic reactions in the respiratory (1) and digestive Systems. Arthritis: Pantothenic acid is often taken by sufferers from rheumatoid arthritis. It has been shown that this group of people are much more likely to have low levels of pantothenic acid in their blood. Moreover, studies assessing the effect of a pantothenic acid supplement in rheumatoid arthritis have yielded encouraging results (1). Acne: Pantothenic acid deficiency is linked to acne. One study showed that supplementation with vitamin B5 is a beneficial treatment for this condition (2). Back to Top   SAFETY No toxic signs were noted in young men given 10g of Calcium pantothenate daily for six weeks, but such doses may cause diarrhoea and gastrointestinal disturbances. Back to Top   INTERACTIONS AND CONTRA-INDICATIONS There are no contra-indications recorded for pantothenic acid. Back to Top   FOOD SOURCES Food (mg/100g) Brewer’s yeast 9.5 Pig’s liver 6.5 Yeast extract 3.8 Nuts 2.7 Wheat bran 2.4 Wheatgerm 2.2 Eggs 1.8 Poultry 1.2 REFERENCES: 1. "Handbook of Dietary Supplements", Pamela Mason, Blackwell Science, 1995. 2. Leueng LH. Pantothenic acid deficiency as the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. Med Hypotheses, 44;6:490-492, 1995. Back to Top