Source: University of Mayland Medical Center
Also listed as: Pantothenic acid
Vitamin B5, also called pantothenic acid, is one of eight water-soluble
B vitamins. All B vitamins help the body to convert carbohydrates into
glucose (sugar), which is "burned" to produce energy. These B vitamins,
often referred to as B complex vitamins, are essential in the breakdown
of fats and protein. B complex vitamins also play an important role in
maintaining muscle tone in the gastrointestinal tract and promoting the
health of the nervous system, skin, hair, eyes, mouth, and liver.
In addition to playing a role in the breakdown of fats and
carbohydrates for energy, Vitamin B5 is critical to the manufacture of
red blood cells as well as sex and stress-related hormones produced in
the adrenal glands (small glands that sit atop of the kidneys). Vitamin
B5 is also important in maintaining a healthy digestive tract and it
helps the body use other vitamins (particularly B2 [riboflavin]) more
effectively. It is sometimes referred to as the "anti-stress" vitamin
because it is believed to enhance the activity of the immune system and
improve the body's ability to withstand stressful conditions.
Pantethine, an active stable form of vitamin B5, has been gaining
attention in recent years as a possible treatment for high cholesterol.
Further studies are needed to confirm these findings, however.
Panthanol, another form of vitamin B5, is often found in hair care
products because of the belief that it makes hair more manageable,
softer, and shinier.
Vitamin B5 can be found in all living cells and is widely distributed
in foods so deficiency of this substance is rare. Symptoms of a vitamin
B5 deficiency may include fatigue, insomnia, depression, irritability,
vomiting, stomach pains, burning feet, and upper respiratory
infections.
Wound Healing
Studies, primarily in test tubes and animals but a few on people,
suggest that vitamin B5 supplements may speed wound healing, especially
following surgery. This may be particularly true if vitamin B5 is
combined with vitamin C.
Burns
It is especially important for people who have sustained serious burns
to obtain adequate amounts of nutrients in their daily diet. When skin
is burned, a substantial percentage of micronutrients may be lost. This
increases the risk for infection, slows the healing process, prolongs
the hospital stay, and even increases the risk of death. Although it is
unclear which micronutrients are most beneficial for people with burns,
many studies suggest that a multivitamin including the B complex
vitamins may aid in the recovery process.
High Cholesterol
Throughout the past twenty years or so, emerging studies of animals
and people have suggested that high doses of pantethine (a stable form
of vitamin B5) may improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels in
people with high cholesterol with or without other risk factors for
heart disease (such as diabetes, obesity, and menopause). The studies
to date have included only small numbers of people, but have been
encouraging because not only has pantethine lowered cholesterol and
triglycerides, it has also increased HDL (the "good" kind of
cholesterol). Plus, several of the studies have looked at the use of
pantethine in special groups of people, such as adults on dialysis and
children with high cholesterol. More research is needed in this area to
fully understand what value pantethine may have for treating or
preventing high cholesterol.
Other related areas that are under current scientific investigation
include use of pantethine for heart disease and for weight loss.
Arthritis
Although not widely studied to date, there may be some benefit to
making sure that there is an adequate amount of pantothenic acid in the
diet or taking extra vitamin B5 supplements for arthritis.
For example, some researchers report that blood levels of pantothenic
acid are lower in people with rheumatoid arthritis than those without
this condition. A study conducted in 1980 concluded that 2,000 mg/day
of calcium pantothenate improved symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
including morning stiffness and pain. Further studies are needed to
confirm these findings, however.
Similarly, obese patients with osteoarthritis may improve their
symptoms if they receive dietary counseling about appropriate intake of
vitamin B5 (as well as other nutrients) and weight loss.
Pantothenic acid gets its name from the Greek root pantos, meaning
"everywhere," because it is available in a wide variety of foods. A lot
of vitamin B5 is lost in processing, however. Fresh meats, vegetables,
and whole unprocessed grains have more vitamin B5 than refined, canned,
and frozen food. The best sources of this vitamin are brewer's yeast,
corn, cauliflower, kale, broccoli, tomatoes, avocadolegumes, lentils,
egg yolks, beef (especially organ meats such as liver and kidney),
turkey, duck, chicken, milk, split peas, peanuts, soybeans, sweet
potatoes, sunflower seeds, whole-grain breads and cereals, lobster,
wheat germ, and salmon.
Vitamin B5 can be found in multivitamins, B complex vitamins, or sold
individually under the names pantothenic acid and calcium pantothenate.
It is available in a variety of forms including tablets, softgels, and
capsules.
Recommended daily intakes of dietary vitamin B5 are listed below:
Pediatric
- Infants birth to 6 months: 1.7 mg
- Infants 6 months to 1 year: 1.8 mg
- Children 1 to 3 years: 2 mg
- Children 4 to 8 years: 3 mg
- Children 9 to 13 years: 4 mg
- Adolescents 14 to 18 years: 5 mg
Adult
- 19 years and older: 5 mg
- Pregnant females: 6 mg
- Lactating females: 7 mg
Higher doses may be recommended by a qualified practitioner for the treatment of specific conditions.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: 2,000 mg/day
- High cholesterol/triglycerides: 300 mg pantethine, 3 times daily (900 mg/day)
- General adrenal support (meaning during times of particular stress): 250 mg pantothenic acid 2 times daily
Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with
medications, dietary supplements should be taken only under the
supervision of a knowledgeable healthcare provider.
Vitamin B5 should be taken with water, preferably after eating.
Taking any one of the B complex vitamins for a long period of time
can result in an imbalance of other important B vitamins. For this
reason, it is generally important to take a B complex vitamin with any
single B vitamin.
If you are currently being treated with any of the following
medications, you should not use vitamin B5 supplements without first
talking to your healthcare provider.
Antibiotics, Tetracycline
Vitamin B5 should not be taken at the same time as the antibiotic
tetracycline because it interferes with the absorption and
effectiveness of this medication. B vitamins should be taken at
different times from tetracycline. (All vitamin B complex supplements
act in this way and should therefore be taken at different times from
tetracycline.)
Adding vitamins to the mix: skin care products that can benefit the
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- Review Date:
4/1/2002
- Reviewed By: Participants in the review process include:
Jacqueline A. Hart, MD, Department of Internal Medicine,
Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Harvard University and Senior Medical Editor
Integrative Medicine, Boston, MA; Gary Kracoff, RPh (Pediatric Dosing
section February 2001), Johnson Drugs, Natick, Ma; Steven Ottariono,
RPh (Pediatric Dosing section February 2001), Veteran's Administrative
Hospital, Londonderry, NH; Margie Ullmann-Weil, MS, RD, specializing in
combination of complementary and traditional nutritional therapy,
Boston, MA. All interaction sections have also been reviewed by a team
of experts including Joseph Lamb, MD (July 2000), The Integrative
Medicine Works, Alexandria, VA;Enrico Liva, ND, RPh (August 2000),
Vital Nutrients, Middletown, CT; Brian T Sanderoff, PD, BS in Pharmacy
(March 2000), Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Mayland
School of Pharmacy; President, Your Prescription for Health, Owings
Mills, MD; Ira Zunin, MD, MPH, MBA (July 2000), President and Chairman,
Hawaii State Consortium for Integrative Medicine, Honolulu, HI.
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