Vitamin B5 Pantothenic Acid

Food sources of Vitamin B5 Pantothenic Acid:

Pantothenic acid is found in brewer's yeast, beef. brains, eggs, liver, pork, nuts, royal jelly, whole grain cereals, green leafy vegetables, oranges, saltwater fish and milk. Patothenic acid is also synthesized by intestinal microflora.

Functions of Vitamin B5 Pantothenic acid:

Pantothenic acid is involved in the synthesis of acetycholine, and production of adrenal hormones. All cells of the body are dependent on its presence, and it mainly concentrated in the organs. It aids in the synthesis of ketones, cholesterol,  and cortisone, it is involved in lipid metabolism, protein metabolism, hormone production, and antibody production. Pantothenic acid is an essential constitutent of coenzyme A, and is involved in many enzyme systems.

Deficiency symptoms of Vitamin B5 Pantothenic Acid:

Fatigue, nausea, tingling in the hands, headache, anaemia, burning feet, convulsions poor immunity, depression, dermatitis, insomnia, kidney stones, cardiovascular disorders, digestive upsets, heel soreness, mood swings,  and impaired muscle co-ordination.

Factor Increasing Demand for Pantothenic Acid:

Excessive coffee drinking, stress, fluid retention, excessive alcohol, arthritis, depression, antibiotics, pregnancy and ageing. Both folic acid and biotin are necessary for the proper utilization of pantothenic acid, if there are deficiencies of either of these, then the requirements for pantothenic acid are increased.

Loss of Vitamin B5 Pantothenic Acid:

Although this vitamin is readily available in a wide range of foods, it is unstable in heat, alkali and acid, considerable losses occur in cooking, milling of grains, and freezing. The simple addition of lemon juice or vinegar to  salads, or vegetables, or adding baking soda to vegetables during cooking can cause loss of this vitamin.

Therapeutic Uses for Vitamin B5 Pantothenic Acid:

Evidence suggests it may be an effective treatment for some who have rheumatoid arthritis, patients with RA have been found to have low blood levels of pantothenic acid. Alcoholics have been found to be deficient in this vitamin, as well as all other B complex vitamins.

Drugs Affecting Vitamin B5 Pantothenic Acid:

Oral contraceptives, chemotherapy, sulphonylamide, streptomycin, and copper.

Dosage and Toxicity:

The US RDA for pantothenic acid is 10mg per day. Doses as high as 500mg daily have been given without evidence of toxicity. Such high doses may inhibit the absorption of biotin. For pregnant women and nursing mothers, the daily dose should not exceed 10mg.

Read more:Vitamin B6 pyridoxine

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