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Quest Vitamins LTD,
8 Venture Way,
Aston Science Park,
Birmingham,
B7 4AP.

Tel: 0121 359 0056
Fax: 0121 359 0313
Email: info@questvitamins.co.uk
Registered in England No. 2530437

Pantothenic Acid (B5)

DESCRIPTION

The name pantothenic acid comes from the word "panthos" meaning everywhere. Pantothenic acid is a water-soluble vitamin and a member of the B complex.

The vitamin is normally presented in supplement form as Calcium pantothenate.

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STABILITY

Pantothenic acid is destroyed by heat, acid (e.g. vinegar) or alkali (e.g. bicarbonate). The vitamin is also lost through leaching into cooking water.

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FUNCTIONS

Pantothenic acid is a part of the coenzyme A molecule that plays such an important part in the process of releasing energy from foods (fat, carbohydrates, protein and alcohol). Pantothenic acid is also of great importance in the function of the adrenal gland, and in the formation of antibodies.

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DEFICIENCY

A major deficiency of pantothenic acid does not cause a well-defined deficiency disease. Human subjects who have voluntarily deprived themselves of pantothenic acid describe developing symptoms of Fatigue, Headache, dizziness, muscle weakness and gastrointestinal disturbance.

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REQUIREMENTS

Upper safe level for daily supplementation = 500 mg

Recommended Daily Allowance = 6mg

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SUPPLEMENTAL USES

Stress:
Due to its known role in the health of the adrenal gland and in the production of corticosteroid hormones, pantothenic acid is often advocated as a nutritional supplement to help the body cope with Stress.

Allergies:
Pantothenic acid may also help to reduce allergic reactions in the respiratory (1) and Digestive Systems.

Arthritis:
Pantothenic acid is often taken by sufferers from rheumatoid Arthritis. It has been shown that this group of people are much more likely to have low levels of pantothenic acid in their blood. Moreover, studies assessing the effect of a pantothenic acid supplement in rheumatoid arthritis have yielded encouraging results (1).

Acne:
Pantothenic acid deficiency is linked to Acne. One study showed that supplementation with vitamin B5 is a beneficial treatment for this condition (2).

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SAFETY

No toxic signs were noted in young men given 10g of Calcium pantothenate daily for six weeks, but such doses may cause Diarrhoea and gastrointestinal disturbances.

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INTERACTIONS AND CONTRA-INDICATIONS

There are no contra-indications recorded for pantothenic acid.

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FOOD SOURCES

Food (mg/100g)
Brewer?s yeast 9.5
Pig?s liver 6.5
Yeast extract 3.8
Nuts 2.7
Wheat bran 2.4
Wheatgerm 2.2
Eggs 1.8
Poultry 1.2

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HERBS

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NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

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REFERENCES

1. "Handbook of Dietary Supplements", Pamela Mason, Blackwell Science, 1995.
2. Leueng LH. Pantothenic acid deficiency as the pathogenesis of Acne vulgaris. Med Hypotheses, 44;6:490-492, 1995.

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RELATED NEWS

• Age Related Macular Degeneration
  

• PRINTABLE VERSION
• DESCRIPTION
• STABILITY Pantothenic acid is destroyed by heat, acid (e.g. vinegar) or alkali (e.g. bicarbonate). The vitamin is also lost through leaching into cooking water. Back to Top FUNCTIONS Pantothenic acid is a part of the coenzyme A molecule that plays such an important part in the process of releasing energy from foods (fat, carbohydrates, protein and alcohol). Pantothenic acid is also of great importance in the function of the adrenal gland, and in the formation of antibodies. Back to Top DEFICIENCY A major deficiency of pantothenic acid does not cause a well-defined deficiency disease. Human subjects who have voluntarily deprived themselves of pantothenic acid describe developing symptoms of Fatigue, Headache, dizziness, muscle weakness and gastrointestinal disturbance. Back to Top REQUIREMENTS Upper safe level for daily supplementation = 500 mgRecommended Daily Allowance = 6mg Back to Top SUPPLEMENTAL USES
• SAFETY No toxic signs were noted in young men given 10g of Calcium pantothenate daily for six weeks, but such doses may cause Diarrhoea and gastrointestinal disturbances. Back to Top INTERACTIONS AND CONTRA-INDICATIONS There are no contra-indications recorded for pantothenic acid. Back to Top FOOD SOURCES
• HERBS
• NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
• REFERENCES
• RELATED NEWS

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