Vitamin B5 - Pantothenic Acid
PA was synthesized in 1940, but not until 1947 was its biological function in relationship to Coenzyme A discovered. Coenzyme A is the helper enzyme formed from pantothenic acid (PA) by combining two carbon fragments from fats, carbohydrates, and certain amino acids. As the oxidation of carbohydrates, fatty acids, and amino acids takes place, acetic acid is eventually formed, then bound to Coenzyme A and carried into the Kreb's Cycle to feed the metabolic machinery. Eventually, energy is produced in the form of ATP -- a very important metabolic function.
Coenzyme A is also vital in the synthesis of the important neurotransmitter acetylcholine required for nerve transmission and is instrumental in the synthesis of HEME formation in the red blood cell protein known as hemoglobin. In addition, PA assists in fat synthesis carrying fatty acids throughout the metabolism. As with biotin, PA can be synthesized by healthy intestinal bacteria and stored on a limited basis in the liver.
Another derivative of PA is pantotheine/pantothine, which contains the sulfur amino acid called cysteine, known to lower serum cholesterol and triglycerides. Studies indicate that heart levels of pantotheine decline when oxygen supply is limited, yet PA, in its original form, has little effect on these levels. It seems to be easier to convert pantotheine to Coenzyme A than to PA, thereby making pantotheine a more effective therapeutic material in certain circumstances. Panthenol, an alcohol derivative, is widely used in multivitamin formulations because it is more stable and easily converted to the active vitamin in humans.
PA is essential for many biochemical functions of the body, including the manufacture of Vitamin D, steroids and other hormones, cholesterol and other fats, bile, red blood cells and porphyrins, neurotransmitters, and for adrenal gland performance. It promotes wound healing and antibody production. In fact, supplementation of pantothine may actually stimulate the immune system. It has also been used to reduce adverse and toxic effects of many antibiotics.
PA was implicated in the "burning feet syndrome" among World War II prisoners. It responded to pantothenic acid supplementation, but not to other members of the B complex group. It has also been used to diminish the "age spots" on the skin generally caused by the action of free radicals. The use of antioxidants, for this purpose, has also proven effective. PA deficiency is known to cause gray hair in animals but, unfortunately, there is no record of it being of any benefit in humans.
PA blood levels are significantly lower in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and, in some cases, PA, along with niacin, has alleviated pain and joint stiffness. In fact, the lower the levels of these vitamins, the more severe the symptoms of arthritis.
PA deficiency is rare but can occur among severely undernourished people. Symptoms of prolonged deficiency include sore feet with a burning pain in the heels, vomiting, cramps, fatigue, insomnia, and chronic respiratory infections (other symptoms are listed below). A deficiency can also produce such mental symptoms as depression and an inability to tolerate stress. Large amounts, combined with Vitamin C, appear to help withstand stress, perhaps because of its effect on the adrenal glands.
PA can be destroyed by processing, heat, canning, caffeine, and sulfa drugs. Milling of grains, canning, and cooking after thawing causes as much as a 50% loss of this vitamin. There is also very little PA found in fruit. Although there is no RDA for PA, nutritionists generally recommend 4-7 mg. per day be taken.
For those fond of technicalities, the following is a condensed analysis of Pantothenic Acid:
Other names include: Vitamin B5, Vitamin B5a, pantothenate, filtrate factor, chick antidermatitis factor, Panthenol.
Its forms are: pantothenic acid, calcium pantothenate, sodium pantothenate.
Inhibitors are: heat, food processing, canning, caffeine, sulfa drugs, sleeping pills, estrogen, alcohol, ferrous sulfate, methyl bromide.
Helpers are: Vitamin B complex, Vitamins B6, B12, Bc, Bw, C, and sulfur.
Deficiency symptoms include: low blood pressure, fatigue, weakness, depression, emotional deterioration, low blood sugar, numbness or tingling in hands or feet, kidney hemorrhage, decreased antibody production, infections, decreased balance/coordination/reflexes and appetite, constipation, nausea, bile salts formation deteriorates, deterioration of digestion, duodenal ulcers, abdominal cramps, leg muscle cramps, decreased adrenal function, sensitivity to insulin, convulsions, fatigue, spinal cord and corneal deterioration, fetal abnormalities, testicle deterioration, growth failure, ulcers, headaches, insomnia, lung infections, coma, stress, emotional agitation, skin deterioration, slow healing, and decreased radiation protection.
Toxicity symptoms include: liver impairment with megadoses of 10-20 grams producing diarrhea, sleepiness, depression, and nausea.
Vitamin B5 calcium salt is a specific form of Vitamin B5. Other names include: calcium pantothenate, pantothenic acid, calcium salt, Calpanate, Galamila, Pantholin.
Vitamin B5 sodium salt is a specific form of Vitamin B5. Other names include: sodium pantothenate, Panthoject.
