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The Benefits of Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
By: Dr. Obikoya
Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic acid is a water-soluble vitamin
involved in the cycle of energy production in our body and is needed to make the
neurotransmitter acetylcholine. It is also essential in producing, transporting,
and releasing energy from fats.
Synthesis of cholesterol, needed to manufacture vitamin D and steroid hormones,
depends on pantothenic acid. Pantothenic acid also activates the adrenal glands.
Pantethine, a byproduct of pantothenic acid, has been reported to lower blood
levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Vitamin B5 forms part of two
substances, co-enzyme A and the acyl carrier protein, both of which play key
roles in the release of energy from the food you eat. Vitamin B5 is also needed
for healthy growth and the production of antibodies to help fight infection.
Poor muscle co-ordination, muscle cramps, numbness and tingling, painful burning
feet, depression, fatigue, weakness, headache and loss of appetite result if you
are deficient in this vitamin, which people that consume large amounts of
alcohol plus people under stress or who have undergone surgery need to take even
more of.
Besides 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 your body use other vitamins (particularly B2 [riboflavin]) more
effectively. It is sometimes called the "anti-stress" vitamin because
it is believed to enhance the activity of the immune system and improve your
body's ability to withstand stressful conditions.
Research studies suggest that vitamin B5 supplements may speed wound healing,
especially following surgery. This may be particularly true if you combined
vitamin B5 with vitamin C.
It is important for people who have sustained serious burns to take adequate
amounts of vitamin B5 in their daily diet. When skin is burned, a substantial
percentage of micronutrients may be lost, which increases the risk for
infection, slows the healing process, prolongs the hospital stay, and even
increases the risk of death. Many studies also suggest that a multivitamin
including the B complex vitamins may aid in the recovery process.
Emerging studies in the last twenty years 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.
Other related areas that are under current scientific investigation include use
of pantethine for heart disease and for weight loss.
There may be some benefit to making sure that there is an adequate amount of
pantothenic acid in your diet or taking extra vitamin B5 supplements if you
suffer from arthritis. Some researchers report that blood levels of pantothenic
acid are lower in people with rheumatoid arthritis than those without this
condition.
Studies have shown that 2,000 mg/day of calcium pantothenate improved symptoms
of rheumatoid arthritis including morning stiffness and pain. 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.
We all need to take Vitamin B5, although the 10–25 mg found in many
multivitamin supplements might improve your pantothenic acid status. Most
cholesterol researchers using pantethine have given people 300 mg three times
per day (total 900 mg).
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.
Pantothenic acid is important for the breakdown of the foods we eat into
substances the body can use and is also important in the creation of hormones
and other substances in the body. You should, therefore, ensure that your intake
of this vitamin is adequate.
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 ATP.
References:
Fidanza A. Therapeutic action of pantothenic acid. Int J Vitam Nutr Res
1983;suppl 24:53–67 [review].
Adding vitamins to the mix: skin care products that can benefit the skin [press
release]. American Academy of Dermatology; March 11, 2000.
Antoon AY, Donovan DK. Burn Injuries. In: Behrman RE, Kliegman RM, Jenson HB,
eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. Philadelphia, Pa: W.B. Saunders Company;
2000:287-294.
Aprahamian M, Dentinger A, Stock-Damge C, Kouassi JC, Grenier JF. Effects of
supplemental pantothenic acid on wound healing: experimental study in rabbit. Am
J Clin Nutr. 1985;41(3):578-89.
Arsenio L, Bodria P, Magnati G, Strata A, Trovato R.. Effectiveness of long-term
treatment with pantethine in patients with dyslipidemia. Clin Ther.
1986;8:537–545.
