Pantothenic acid is found in every cell of the body and in every living thing. Its name comes from the Greek for "everywhere." Pantothenic acid is vital for the proper release of energy from nutrients such as proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Because it is essential, pantothenic acid is classed as a vitamin, or vitamin B-5. Vitamin B-5 is common in many foods, so deficiency is almost unknown. However, health professionals take great interest in understanding the metabolism of pantothenic acid because it has been shown to help with the treatment of some medical conditions and in the rapid healing of wounds.
Wound Healing
The Linus Pauling Institute reports that oral treatment with vitamin B-5 and the use of ointment improves the closure of skin wounds and strengthens scar tissue. It is believed that the fibers in healing wounds are helped to grow in the right direction and in more layers. One study showed that in men suffering testicular torsion, treatment with vitamin B-5 30 minutes before detorsion reduced the risks of infertility.
Cholesterol Balance
A medication derived from pantothenic acid called pantethine has been shown to reduce both cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. This is of particular interest because pantethine has few side effects and may be of great benefit to diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment. This is because the risk of renal failure caused by drug toxicity is always a concern in these patients.
Vitamin Deficiency
North Carolina State University reports that because vitamin B-5 is metabolized in a similar manner to vitamins C, B-6 and B-12, increased B-5 intake can reduce symptoms of deficiency in these other vitamins. There is no known toxicity for high levels of vitamin B-5 because, like all B vitamins, it is water-soluble and any excess is excreted in the urine.
Adequate Intake
Deficiency is so rare that in order to study its effects, researchers have to administer specially formulated poor diets with chemicals that make vitamin B-5 unavailable. Symptoms reported in humans and animal studies include fatigue, insomnia and intestinal disturbances. The amount believed to be required for good health increases as you grow, from less than 2 mg per day at birth to 5 mg in adults.
Foods and Supplements
Healthy sources of vitamin B-5 include all meat and fish, as well as many plants foods such as peas, broccoli and bread. However, North Carolina State University reports that about half of pantothenic acid is lost from highly refined foods and heavily milled grains.
In supplements, the Linus Pauling Institute report that pantothenic acid is most commonly found in a more stable alcohol form called pantothenol. However, it may also be found as calcium- or sodium D-pantothenate. They recommend that vitamin B-5 needs are met from a varied diet. Pantothenic acid should only be taken to treat medical conditions under the supervision of health professionals.
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