Pantethine is a form of vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid. It is found naturally in the body as a derivative of pantothenic acid and is also available as a dietary supplement. Pantethine is a key factor in cholesterol synthesis, and several studies have demonstrated its efficacy in lowering cholesterol.
Function
Pantothenic acid is converted to pantethine in the body. Pantethine is then converted to coenzyme A (CoA). Since pantethine is the immediate precursor to coenzyme A, it is considered the biologically active form of pantothenic acid. CoA is a necessary component in the process that uses energy from food to synthesize cholesterol, hormones, fats, acetylcholine and hemoglobin.
Benefits of Pantethine
Pantethine may be a beneficial alternative treatment for those with high cholesterol. Some of its proposed benefits include lower total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and triglycerides, and elevated high-density lipoproteins (HDL). LDL is considered "bad" cholesterol that contributes to atherosclerosis, whereas HDL is considered "good" cholesterol that removes cholesterol from the body.
Studies
According to a study published in "Nutrition Research," participants who took 900 mg of pantethine a day for four months had a 15.1 percent reduction in total cholesterol, 20.1 percent reduction in LDL, 32.9 percent reduction in triglycerides and an 8.4 percent increase in HDL. In this study, the greatest results were not seen until the fourth month, so pantethine may need to be taken for at least four months for its benefits to be seen. Another study published in the "American Journal of Nephrology" suggests that pantethine may be a safe and effective alternative treatment for hyperlipidemia in diabetic patients on dialysis who are unable to take statins. They found that administration of 900 mg a day of pantethine to diabetics on dialysis resulted in a reduction of total cholesterol, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and triglycerides. The subjects in this study, however, had no change in HDL levels.
Recommended Intake
The University of Maryland recommends taking 300 mg of pantethine three times a day, or 900 mg a day. A recommended dietary allowance (RDA) has not been established yet, due to a lack of conclusive evidence from studies.
Warning
Pantethine should only be taken under the direct supervision of a knowledgeable doctor. It is important to remember that pantethine, and not pantothenic acid, has been shown to lower cholesterol. Although several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of pantethine on lowering cholesterol, larger studies are still needed. No serious adverse effects have been reported, however, mild gastrointestinal complaints such as heartburn and nausea may occur. Pantethine should be used with caution in those with liver disease, kidney disease and those who are pregnant or nursing.
References
- "Nutrition Research": Treatment of Hyperlipidemia with Pantethine: A Review and Analysis of Efficacy and Tolerability
- "American Journal of Nephrology": Treatment of Hyperlipidemia in Diabetic Patients on Dialysis With a Physiological Substance
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
