The EclecticPhysician

The Eclectic Physician
Vitamin and Mineral Information

Vitamin B-5/ Pantothenic acid

The information on this page compiled by
Beth Burch N.D.
Index
(click on the keywords)

Function

Pantothenic acid is used in the manufacture of coenzyme A and acyl protein carrier, both are necessary for the use of carbohydrates and fats in energy production and for the manufacture of adrenal hormones, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, cholesterol and red blood cells. Deficiency of pantothenic acid is rare, most commonly found in alcoholics and is characterized by numbness and shooting pains in the feet. The first sign of deficiency is fatigue.
 

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Forms

  • Calcium pantothenate
  • Pantethine

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Food Sources

  • Excellent sources include nutritional yeast, liver and salmon. Good sources include meat, milk, fish, eggs, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.

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Dosage

  • Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)
  • No RDA

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Optimal Supplementation

  • 5-10 mg daily

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Treatment of Health Conditions

  • 500-2000 mg daily

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Conditions used for

  • Low adrenal function (1)
  • Acne (2)
  • Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides- pantethine (3, 4, 5, 6)
  • Wound healing (7)
  • Rhematoid arthritis (8)
  • Vitamin B-5 deficiency

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Side effects

  • Diarrhea with very high doses

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Contraindications

  • None known

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Interactions with other nutrients

  • Works with vitamins B-1, B-2 and B-3 in energy production
  • Works with carnitine and coenzyme Q-10 in fatty acid utilization

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Interactions with medications and herbs

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References

1. Tarasov IuA et al, Adrenal cortex functional activity in pantothenate deficiency and the administration of the vitamin or its derivatives, Vopr Pitan 1985;(4):51-4
2. Leung LH, Pantothenic acid deficiency as the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris, Med Hypotheses 1995;44(6):490-2
3. Binaghi P et al, Evaluation of the cholesterol-lowering effectiveness of pantethine in women in perimenopausal age, Minerva Med 1990;81(6):475-9
4. Prisco D et al, Effect of oral treatment with pantethine on platelet and plasma phospholipids in IIa hyperlipoproteinemia, Angiology 1987;38(3):241-7
5. Bertolini S et al, Lipoprotein changes induced by pantethine in hyperlipoproteinemic patients: adults and children, Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol 1986;24(11):630-7
6. Tonutti L et al, Comparison of the efficacy of pantethine, acipimox, and bezafibrate on plasma lipids and index of cardiovascular risk in diabetics with dyslipidemia, Minerva Med 1991;82(10):657-63
7. Weimann BI et al, Studies on wound healing: effects of calcium D-pantothenate on the migration, proliferation and protein synthesis of human dermal fibroblasts in culture, Int J Vitam Nutr Res 1999;69(2):113-9
8. Calcium pantothenate in arthritic conditions, Practitioner 1980;224:208-11
 

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* The information presented in this web site is intended to inform and educate. It is not intended replace a qualified medical practitioner to diagnose or treat medical conditions.

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