Vitamin B5, also called pantothenic acid or pantothenate, is one of 8 B vitamins. It is an anti-stress vitamin supporting the adrenal glands to produce cortisone to neutralize stress, prevent aging, wrinkles and keeps your skin healthy, and is used in a number of cosmetics. It helps metabolism of carbohydrates as well, which is used to produce energy. It also help the body use fats and protein, helping to repair tissues in the body.
Over 50% of this vital ingredient which is found in wheat is lost duet to refining, and when meat is cooked, it is degraded. It is widely found in both plants and animals including meat, vegetables, cereal grains, legumes, eggs, and milk.
Vitamin B5 is needed for healthy skin, hair, eyes, and liver. It also help the nervous system function properly. This B vitamin is found in the plasma of the blood. Vitamin B5 is essential to maintain the body's balance of sodium and potassium. Without vitamin B5 your body would not be able to regulate its fluids neither would it be able to properly regulate your blood pressure.
Vitamin B5 is sometimes called the antistress vitamin and there are indications that it may be helpful in treating depression and anxiety. Some physicians, in fact, will recommend that patients suffering from chronic stress take supplemental doses of pantothenic acid.
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 the kidneys. Vitamin B5 is also important in maintaining a healthy digestive tract, and it helps the body use other vitamins, particularly B2 or riboflavin.
Your body needs pantothenic acid to synthesize cholesterol. A derivative of pantothenic acid called pantethine is being studied to see if it may help lower cholesterol levels in the body.
Some other positive effects of vitamin B5 include:
Helps Protect Skin From Acne
Helps The Body Build Antibodies
Can Prevent Nerve Degeneration
Helps The Body Heal Wounds
Protects Your Body Against Cellular Damage
Some Studies Have Proved B5 Slows Graying of Hair
Helps Protect Skin From Wrinkles
Have Been Used To Treat Some Bone Disorders
Helps Prevent Arthritis
All B vitamins are water-soluble, meaning that the body does not store them. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. Leftover amounts of the vitamin leave the body through the urine. That means you need a continuous supply of such vitamins in your diet.
It is rare for anyone to be deficient in vitamin B5. Symptoms of a vitamin B5 deficiency may include fatigue, insomnia, depression, irritability, vomiting, stomach pains, burning feet, and recurring upper respiratory infections.
Other signs of deficiency may include:
Impaired Healthy Blood Cells
Decreased Immunity
Stomach Pain
Skin Disorders
Muscle Cramps
Hypoglycemia
Duodenal Ulcers
Since this vitamin supports the function of the adrenal glands a deficiency of this vitamin can lead to adrenal exhaustion. The brain is another organ in the body that utilizes a significant amount of pantothenic acid. The brain is the only part of the body that uses the highest form of vitamin B5, therefore individuals resulting in a decreased amount of vitamin B5 can notice mood changes, such as fluctuations, and trouble with depression.
Vitamin B5 is commercially available as D-pantothenic acid, as well as dexpanthenol and calcium pantothenate, which are chemicals made in the lab from D-pantothenic acid.
Pantothenic acid has a long list of uses, although there isn't enough scientific evidence to determine whether it is effective for most of these uses. People take pantothenic acid for treating dietary deficiencies, acne, alcoholism, allergies, baldness, asthma, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, burning feet syndrome, yeast infections, heart failure, carpal tunnel syndrome, respiratory disorders, celiac disease, colitis, conjunctivitis, convulsions, and cystitis. It is also taken by mouth for dandruff, depression, diabetic nerve pain, enhancing immune function, improving athletic performance, tongue infections, gray hair, headache, hyperactivity, low blood sugar, trouble sleeping (insomnia), irritability, low blood pressure, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, muscular cramps in the legs associated with pregnancy or alcoholism, neuralgia, and obesity.
Pantothenic acid is also used orally for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson's disease, nerve pain, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), enlarged prostate, protection against mental and physical stress and anxiety, reducing adverse effects of thyroid therapy in congenital hypothyroidism, reducing signs of aging, reducing susceptibility to colds and other infections, retarded growth, shingles, skin disorders, stimulating adrenal glands, chronic fatigue syndrome, salicylate toxicity, streptomycin neurotoxicity, dizziness, and wound healing.
People apply dexpanthenol, which is made from pantothenic acid, to the skin for itching, promoting healing of mild eczemas and other skin conditions, insect stings, bites, poison ivy, diaper rash, and acne. It is also applied topically for preventing and treating skin reactions to radiation therapy.
Synthesizer: Vitamin B5 acts as a synthesizer of most important components required by human body. For instance, it helps in the formation of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, amino acids and antibiotics and also, stimulation of adrenal hormones.
Stress Buster: Vitamin B5 has the flair to kill the stress and other serious mental problems like anxiety and depression to ensure fitness of mind. It does so by regulating the hormones responsible for giving birth to these mental states.
Caring Human Heart: Vitamin B5 holds an impressive record in keeping the human heart in normal working condition. It regulates the level of cholesterol and also helps in controlling the blood pressure.
Skin and Hair: More than anything else, Vitamin B5 helps in keeping the skin healthy and free from bad appearances. Also, it helps to postpone the appearance of early ageing signs over the skin. It is also expected that Vitamin B5 has an important role to play in pigmentation of hair, preventing them from discoloration before right age. It is also helpful in treating acne.
Building Stamina: Vitamin B5 helps in reducing body fatigue and weariness and putting the functioning of body parts on right track. This means that this vitamin is capable of building the stamina of human body to perform well in various tasks. This is a momentous benefit of this vitamin, especially from the point of view of professionals like athletes.
Water Solubility: As Vitamin B5 belongs to the group of water soluble vitamins, it is not expected to add any type of toxic substance in human body and thus, it proves to be beneficial for people from different age groups and genders.
Immune System: Vitamin B5 is potent in strengthening the immune system of human body. This helps human body to fight against a number of infections and diseases. Thus, one can take advantage of this vitamin to decrease the liability of his or her body towards infections.
Treating Many Problems: Vitamin B5 may help in relieving human body from a number of detrimental problems like asthma, autism, candidiasis, osteoarthritis, Parkinson's disease, premenstrual syndrome and many more. Thus, this vitamin is one solution for a number of illnesses.
Hemoglobin: Vitamin B5 enhances hemoglobin level in the human body. Also, it assists liver in metabolizing toxic substances. In addition, it fuels cell division and DNA reproduction.
Heart patients can benefit by taking a daily dosage of vitamin B5. The recommended dosage for men and women is 15 milligrams. For therapeutic needs doses can range from 50 - 250 milligrams to aid allergy suffers. When taking amounts up to 250 milligrams no signs of toxicity has been reported.
There have been numerous case studies of children who suffer with ADHD/ADD, during the study they where given certain nutrients. Some of these nutrients included: calcium, folic acid, vitamin C, B complex, pantothenic acid, zinc, and manganese. Zinc was included as part of the regiment due to its ability to decrease hyperactivity. In some cases the children had noticeable improvement.
Several small, double-blind studies suggest that pantethine may help reduce triglycerides, or fats, in the blood in people who have high cholesterol. In some of these studies, pantethine has also helped lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol. In some open studies, pantethine seems to lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in people with diabetes. The decrease in LDL is significant, as it is related to a decrease the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke. In the liver, panthenol was the most effective, as it lowered TG, total cholesterol, free cholesterol and cholesterol-ester levels.
Studies, mostly 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.
Some early evidence suggests that pantothenic acid might help with symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the evidence is weak. One study found that people with RA may have lower levels of B5 in their blood than healthy people, and the lowest levels were associated with the most severe symptoms. A small study conducted in 1980 concluded that 2,000 mg/day of calcium pantothenate improved symptoms of RA, including morning stiffness and pain. More studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Testicular torsion can severely affect fertility if it occurs. One study on a rat model indicated a treatment of 500 mg of dexpanthenol/kg body weight 30 minutes prior to detorsion can greatly decrease the risk of infertility after torsion. Pantothenic acid has the ability to spare reduced glutathione levels. Reactive oxygen species play a role in testicular atrophy, which glutathione counteracts.
Foot ulceration is a problem commonly associated with diabetes, which often leads to amputation. A preliminary study indicated that perhaps a royal jelly and panthenol ointment can help cure the ulceration. People with foot ulceration or deep tissue infection in the study had a 96% and 92% success rate of recovery.
Mouse models identified skin irritation and loss of hair color as possible results of severe pantothenic acid deficiency. As a result, the cosmetic industry began adding pantothenic acid to various cosmetic products, including shampoo.
Following from discoveries in mouse trials, in the late 1990s, a small study was published promoting the use of pantothenic acid to treat acne vulgaris. According to a study published in 1995, high doses of vitamin B5 resolved acne and decreased pore size. The study gave 45 Asian males and 55 Asian females varying doses of 10–20g of pantothenic acid (100000% of the US Daily Value), 80% orally and 20% through topical cream. There was a noted improvement of acne within one week to one month of the start of the treatment.
Acne is predominantly found in teenagers, because they are frequently found to be lacking in vitamin B5. Lack of vitamin B5 and Acne, are likely to manifest in the form of facial pimples. This is because the diet teenagers consist largely of a fast food sugars, refined flours, etc., which lack vitamin B5, and gives rise to acne. Acne is associated with the modern diet, and usually acne is treated with antibiotics like tetracycline, which kills intestinal bacterial and helps improve pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) production in the colon. The toxic effects are thus reduced to a great extent, and acne also gets reduces in the process.
Most of acne problems, blackheads, whiteheads, discoloration of skin, etc., are directly related to lack of this vital vitamin, which leads to metabolic problems and increases toxicity on the skin surface. Since vitamin B5 and acne is inter-related, it is necessary to improve supply of vitamin B5 to the body, to treat acne. Though there are topical treatments like creams and gels for treating acne, the root cause of lack of vitamin B5, should be addressed to ensure that acne is not only controlled, but does not resurface. Most of skin problems, tachycardia, allergy symptoms, apart from pimples and acne manifestations which are best treated with vitamin B5 therapy, along with the other vitamins in the B complex group. Remember if you are on fast food diets, and leading a stress filled lifestyle, it is time to change your lifestyle. When you ensure proper intake of vitamin B5, acne is tackled effectively.
In a report published in 1997, it was hypothesized that pantothenic acid also has an effect on weight management. It was proposed that those who were deficient in pantothenic acid would feel the effects of hunger and weakness more strongly. To access fat storages in the body in times of fasting or dieting requires CoA. Diets high in pantothenic acid produce more CoA. In a study done on 100 Chinese individuals from age range 15–55 it was observed that on a diet of 1000 calories a day and 10 g pantothenic acid, the dieters could lose on average 1.2 kg/week with lessened effects from hunger or weakness. Ketone bodies in urine indicated that some dieters required more than 10 g of pantothenic acid a day. The possibilities of pantothenic acid in weight management have not been fully explored, but remain an area of research.
Twenty-eight out of 33 patients (84.8%) previously treated with alpha-lipoic acid for peripheral polyneuropathy reported further improvement after combination with pantothenic acid. The theoretical basis for this is that both substances intervene at different sites in pyruvate metabolism and are, thus, more effective than one substance alone. Additional clinical findings indicated diabetic neuropathy may occur in association with a latent prediabetic metabolic disturbance, and that the symptoms of neuropathy can be favorably influenced by the described combination therapy, even in poorly controlled diabetes.
Vitamin B5 deficiency is extremely rare. It is not likely to occur in people who eat ordinary diets that include a variety of foods. Symptoms of deficiency have occurred only in experimental situations. Dermatitis, fatty liver, degeneration of spinal cord, myelin degeneration of peripheral nerves, and involution of thymus occurs due to deficiency of this vitamin. Various tissues are also affected, including gastro-intestinal disturbances, alopecia, cornification of the skin and hypofunction of adrenal cortex. Deficiency of pantothenic acid can also cause retarded growth, failure of reproduction, dermatitis, and haemorrhagic adrenal cortical necrosis. In the human being, no definite deficiency syndrome has been proved, presumably because of the wide occurrence of this vitamin in almost all food and because small amounts of the vitamin can be synthesized in the body. This does not mean that pantothenic acid is not of value in the metabolic systems of the body; indeed perhaps it is as necessary as any other vitamin. Deficiency may also result in symptoms like fatigue, headaches, and nausea, tingling in the hands, depression, personality changes and cardiac instability. Frequent infection, fatigue, abdominal pains, sleeps disturbances and neurological disorders including numbness, paresthesia (abnormal sensation such as "burning feet" syndrome), muscle weakness and cramps are also possible indications, which indicates that there is deficiency of this vitamin. Biochemical changes include increased insulin sensitivity, lowered blood cholesterol, decreased serum potassium, and failure of adrenocorticotropin to induce eosinopenia.
Pantothenic acid deficiency is not a widespread occurrence because the vitamin is found in almost every type of food. The recommended daily allowance of this vitamin is 10 milligrams for an average adult, but women who are pregnant should take an additional 6 to 7 milligrams. Pantothenic acid can be found in red meats, fish, avocados, mushrooms, whole grains and sunflower seeds. Eating a balanced diet that includes all varieties of food is the best method to prevent and treat pantothenic acid deficiency.
Pantothenic acid is highly heat sensitive and prolonged cooking or deep frying will diminish the vitamin content in your food. This vitamin is also lost through extensive food processing like storing, canning and thawing. Cooking after thawing can reduce the original vitamin content by 50%.
Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can impair the function of your digestive system, reducing its ability to isolate and absorb pantothenic acid from your food. Pantothenic acid also takes part in the body's detoxification process. Exposing it to toxins in alcohol and smoke will increase its need for this vitamin.
Pantothenic acid supplement pills usually exist as vitamin B5 salts.
Vitamin B5 calcium salt: Calcium pantothenate, also known as calpanate, galamila and pantholin
Vitamin B5 sodium salt: Sodium pantothenate or panthoject
People who are deficient of pantothenic acid are often prescribed other B vitamins and vitamin C to help their absorption of pantothenic acid.
People usually do not consider royal jelly as food, but to bees, this is what sustains them. It is the richest source of pantothenic acid in nature. Every gram of royal jelly contains 200 milligrams of pantothenic acid, which is 20 times the amount you need per day. Royal jelly is mostly sold as an herbal supplement, and doctors recommend that people who have pantothenic acid deficiencies take 50 mg to 100 mg of royal jelly to supplement their diets.
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 when you food is processed, however. Fresh meats, vegetables, and whole unprocessed grains have more vitamin B5 than refined, canned, and frozen food. The best sources are brewer's yeast, corn, cauliflower, kale, broccoli, tomatoes, avocado, legumes, 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 and B complex vitamins, or sold separately under the names pantothenic acid and calcium pantothenate. It is available in a variety of forms including tablets, softgels, and capsules.
The following doses have
been studied in scientific research:
BY MOUTH:
As a dietary supplement: 5-10 mg of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5).
Recommended daily intakes of dietary vitamin B5 are listed below:
Pediatric
Infants birth - 6 months: 1.7 mg
Infants 7 months - 1 year: 1.8 mg
Children 1 - 3 years: 2 mg
Children 4 - 8 years: 3 mg
Children 9 - 13 years: 4 mg
Teens 14 - 18 years: 5 mg
Adult
19 years and older: 5 mg
Pregnant women: 6 mg
Breastfeeding women: 7 mg
Higher doses may be recommended by a health care provider for the treatment of specific conditions.
No serious side effects have been reported, even at intakes of up to 10,000 mg (10 grams) per day. Very large amounts of pantothenic acid (several grams per day) can cause diarrhea. Pantothenic acid works together with vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and vitamin B3 to help make the fuel our bodies run on.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5):
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue).
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider.
Vitamin B5 is considered safe at doses equal to the daily intake, and at moderately higher doses. Very high doses may cause diarrhea and may increase the risk of bleeding. The recommended amount for adults is 5 mg per day. Even larger amounts seem to be safe for some people, but taking larger amounts increases the chance of having side effects such as diarrhea.
Vitamin B5 is safe when taken in recommended amounts of 6 mg per day during pregnancy and 7 mg per day during breast-feeding. But it is not known if taking more than this amount is safe. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not exceed the daily adequate intake unless their doctor tells them to.
Don't take pantothenic acid if you have hemophila. It might extend the time it takes for bleeding to stop.
Vitamin B5 should be taken with water, preferably after eating.
Taking any one of the B vitamins for a long period of time can result in an imbalance of other important B vitamins. For this reason, you may want to take a B complex vitamin, which includes all the B vitamins.
Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, you should take dietary supplements only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider.
If you are being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use vitamin B5 supplements without first talking to your health care provider.
Antibiotics, Tetracycline -- Vitamin B5 interferes with the absorption and effectiveness of the antibiotic tetracycline. You should take B vitamins at different times from tetracycline. All vitamin B complex supplements act in this way and should be taken at different times from tetracycline.
Drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease -- Vitamin B5 may increase the effects of a group of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors, which are used to treat Alzheimer's. That might lead to severe side effects. These drugs should not be taken with B5 unless under a doctor's supervision. Cholinesterase inhibitors include:
Donepezil (Aricept)
Memantine hydrochloride (Ebixa)
Galantamine (Reminyl)
Rivastigime (Exelon)
The following reviews have been selected:
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Acne control and energy too, August 2, 2009
By
S. Patterson "Health Freedom Warrior" (Hatboro, PA United States)
I've had cystic acne from age 15. Over the years I tried every product, rx or otc, that I could find to stop the breakouts but nothing worked. Three years ago I found a report abstracted from a research study that showed large doses of pantothenic acid can control acne breakouts. I followed the same program used in the study and now my face is reliably clear every day. I only break out now when I run out of pantothenic acid. A nice bonus has been that it helps to maintain my energy level.
This product is a must for me every day.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars For Anxiety, March 25, 2011
By
Mr. Lee
I have anxiety/depression issues. My family and I have been following the Geno Type diet (which is helping, by the way) and it recommends this for Hunter type.
It works for me. My anxiety went from 500% to about 5% (notice in this made up equation that my brain is only capable of 100% anxiety at maximum).
It is definetly worth the price.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Stuff, May 1, 2011
By
Zach Murray
I have tried literally everything and nothing actually got rid of my acne, just made it from getting any worse. But after awhile on those products my face would just become immune to the products and I would break out again. I've only been taking 7.5 grams daily for about 5 days now and can already tell a difference. I mean I still have a little acne, but whatever i do get it heals up in no time. My nose blackheads are going away and the pores are already getting much smaller. I have to just wait for my existing blemishes to heal up now. I have great expectations for this in the future. I will update soon.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars It cured my cystic acne!, September 9, 2011
By
Talia
I don't usually write reviews, but considering what this product did for me, I feel like I have to share how good this product is with others who are suffering from cystic acne. My acne started in my late twenties, I was not sure what was causing it and tried many different prescription remedies that weren't really working. I had been searching the internet desperately to find out what others with my problem were using and found a whole lot of people writing success stories about how the use of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) cleared up their acne. I've been taking 5g a day for 3 weeks now, and I have NO acne! I almost can't believe it! I had so many cysts that I was going into a depression. Please try this product if you have cystic acne; it works - and I know how horrible it feels to be walking around with acne especially as a woman.... not fun.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Best one on the market, November 5, 2009
By
Dhipanee Mayes "Health Nut" (Fort Collins, Colorado)
Of all the pantothenic acid brands that I have tried in the past, this one is the most effective at controlling and eliminating my acne. I started getting acne after delivering my third child and need a more natural way to control it. At first I had to take larger doses, at least 5000mg a day. That lasted at least 4 weeks. After that, I fiddled around with the dosage and found that taking 2000mg a day controls my acne and prevents breakouts completely. So, forgo the harsh chemicals and drying agents that you smear on your face to eliminate those pimples, this is the best thing to cure acne.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Works great, August 16, 2011
By
Reginald Carter
Been taking this supplement for about a week now. Use 7k mg or so a day. Once I get to the end of week 2 will go down to about 4-5k per day. Works wonders. My skin is clear and bright. No new pimples at all. I got 1 small one, and it went away after a day or so. I will keep buying this. Works from the inside out and much cheaper than buying all kinds of acne products that don't work. So I take these supplements, with a facewash, and a clean and clear salicyclic acid moisturizer. couldn't be happier. I bought 2 bottles since I knew I would be taking a lot initially. Highly recommended.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Inexpensive and Effective Skin Treatment, March 7, 2011
By
Cresence Eberle (Fort Salonga)
I can wholeheartedly confirm the other reviewer's comments about the use of pantothenic acid as a skin treatment. I started using it six months ago... At that point I had been suffering through a fairly severely acne breakout which did not respond well even to prescription creams and other medications proposed by my doctors. I used about 2,000 mg/day. If the outbreak seemed worse than usual because of stress, I increased this somewhat. I never went below 1,000 mg/day. Over time, this has wiped out most of the symptoms and helped to mitigate new breakouts.
Those using B-6 for this reason might want to consider some complementary treatments. Adovia's sulfur soap (the soap, not the mud) can help to hasten the healing of sores and can also reduce the number and severity of breakouts. In addition, several companies offer retinol (vitamin A) skin cream... I found that topical application of this cream can reduce or eliminate subcutaneous swelling that might not have gone as far as a breakout. Vitamin A is generally good for skin health.
All of these solutions can be relatively inexpensive compared to more heavily marketed and proprietary treatments like ProActiv. They can also be more effective if used systematically. FWIW, I'm a 60+ guy. Although these treatments might be thought of as suitable for younger people or women, they appear to be pretty good for just about anyone with a skin problem.
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