Vitamin B5 is Pantothenic acid. It can be found in a wide variety of plants and animals, including meat, vegetables, cereal grains, legumes, eggs, and milk.
Pantothenic acid aids in the utilisation of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids by the body. It is also necessary for the maintenance of healthy skin. Vitamin B5 is available in the form of D-pantothenic acid, as well as dexpanthenol and calcium pantothenate, which are synthetic chemicals derived from D-pantothenic acid.
Pantothenic acid is most commonly used to treat pantothenic acid deficiency. Dexpanthenol, a chemical related to pantothenic acid, is used to treat skin irritation, nasal swelling, wound healing, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to back this up.
PANTOTHENIC ACID: WHAT IS IT AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
Pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B5, is a vitamin that is used as a dietary supplement when consumed in recommended daily allowances (RDAs) and to treat pantothenic acid deficiency.
Pantothenic acid is sold under the following brand and other names: B5 vitamin
WHAT ARE PANTOTHENIC ACID DOSAGES?
Pantothenic Acid Dosages
Strengths and dosage forms
Vitamin B5 is a water-soluble vitamin in the B vitamin group. It aids in the production of energy by breaking down fats and carbohydrates. It also promotes good skin, hair, eyes, and liver health.
B5 is required for the synthesis and metabolization of fats, proteins, and coenzyme A.
B5 is one of the lesser-known vitamins, possibly because deficiency is uncommon.
Pantothenic acid, or Pantothenate, is another name for vitamin B5. The term pantothenic is derived from the Greek word “pantou,” which means “everywhere.” Pantothenic acid is found in small amounts in almost all foods.
Why do we require vitamin B5?
Most foods contain vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid.
Vitamin B5 serves a variety of functions. These are some examples:
transforming food into glucose
cholesterol synthesis
Creating sex and stress hormones
red blood cell formation
Pantothenic acid, like all B vitamins, aids in the breakdown of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins so that our bodies can use them for energy and rebuilding tissues, muscles, and organs.
A coenzyme
Vitamin B5 aids in the synthesis of coenzyme A.
Coenzyme A is involved in fatty acid synthesis and is necessary for the conversion of foods into fatty acids and cholesterol.
Coenzyme A is also required for the production of sphingosine, a fat-like molecule that aids in the delivery of chemical messages within the cells of the body.
Coenzyme A is required by the liver to safely metabolise certain drugs and toxins.
System of digestion
Vitamin B5 promotes digestive health and aids the body in the utilisation of other vitamins, particularly vitamin B2. Although vitamin B2 aids in stress management, there is no evidence that pantothenic acid reduces stress.
Vitamin B5 has been shown to help reduce the spread of acne while also benefiting many other areas of the body.
Skin treatment
According to some studies, vitamin B5 acts as a moisturiser on the skin and aids in the healing of skin wounds.
When taken as a dietary supplement, vitamin B5 helped with facial acne and reduced the number of acne-related facial blemishes, according to one study. After 12 weeks of taking a B5 dietary supplement, researchers observed a “significant mean reduction in total lesion count.” More trials are needed to confirm the findings, according to the authors.
Triglycerides and cholesterol
Some research suggests that taking vitamin B5 can help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. This management strategy should only be used under medical supervision.
Arthritis rheumatoid
According to some studies, people with rheumatoid arthritis have lower levels of vitamin B5. More evidence, however, is required to confirm these findings.
Deficiency
Because pantothenic acid is found in nearly all foods, vitamin B5 deficiency is extremely rare in humans. A well-balanced and varied diet should be sufficient.
Clinical trials, however, have revealed that a deficiency may result in:
tiredness
apathy
depression
irritability
Sleep problems
stomach ache
nausea
vomiting
numbness
cramps in the muscles
hypoglycemia
feet on fire
upper respiratory infections
B5 deficiency can result in increased insulin sensitivity.
A vitamin B5 deficiency in mice caused skin irritation and fur greying, but this was reversed when pantothenic acid was given.