Pantothenic acid or vitamin B-5 is a water-soluble vitamin belonging to the B-complex family of vitamins. It is an essential requirement of life and is derived from the Greek word, pantos, which is translated into the English word, everywhere, and is found in a plethora of foods. It primarily functions in energy metabolism and the production of a variety of important compounds in the body.
Functions
Pantothenic acid plays an important role in the conversion of carbohydrates, fats and protein into energy for the body, particularly as a constituent of coenzyme A. It also helps maintain and repair the cells and tissues of the body and participates in the production of essential neurotransmitters, hormones, lipids and cholesterol, according to Vitamin Basics. Pantothenic acid assists red blood cell production and helps maintain a healthy digestive tract.
Sources and Recommended Intake
The Institute of Medicine recommends 5 mg of pantothenic acid per day for adults. Children and adolescents should consume between 2 and 5 mg per day while pregnant and nursing women 6 and 7 mg per day, respectively. Pantothenic acid is found in a variety of foods and a proper diet generally meets the daily recommended intake levels. Good sources include organ meats, peanuts, mushrooms, eggs, milk and dairy products, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. A large cooked egg contains 0.6 mg of pantothenic acid, 8 oz. of yogurt contains 1.35 mg and 3 oz. of chicken contains 1 mg, according to the Linus Pauling Institute.
Deficiency
Pantothenic acid deficiency is rare in the United States due to its abundance in a variety of foods. Deficiency is generally a result of severe malnutrition and is well documented in prisoners of World War II. These prisoners experienced painful burning sensations in their feet as a result of pantothenic acid deficiency. Experimental studies into the effects of deficiencies in humans yielded physical symptoms such as headache, fatigue, sleep difficulties and gastrointestinal upset as well. Individuals at risk for pantothenic acid deficiency include alcoholics and individuals with malabsorption issues due to disease or surgery and inadequate food intake, as seen in eating disorders.
Safety
Pantothenic acid is considered to be non-toxic. The Institute of Medicine has not established a tolerable upper intake level, or the maximum level a person can handle with no risk of adverse effects, due to a lack of evidence regarding adverse effects from pantothenic acid. Certain birth control pills containing estrogen and progestin may increase the daily requirements of pantothenic acid, and the University of Maryland Medical Center suggests speaking with a doctor before using supplements. Individuals taking the antibiotic tetracycline or drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease must consult with their physician about pantothenic acid and potential drug interactions.
Supplementation
Pantothenic acid is available as a dietary supplement alone, in multivitamins or as part of B-complex supplements. Supplementation is generally used for and most effective in treating pantothenic acid deficiencies. Pantothenic acid supplementation may be used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, arthritis, wound healing, high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, allergies and skin reactions due to radiation therapy, among many other conditions, according to MedlinePlus.
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