PANTOTHENIC ACID (Vitamin B-5)

General - water-soluble; widely distributed in all living things; “anti-stress” vitamin;

• Pantothenic acid can come from foods or be made by bacteria in healthy intestinal tracts;
• History: described in 1933; isolated in 1938; synthesized in 1940; biochemical function identified in 1947; structure elucidated in 1953;

Nutrition

• Sources: best: organ meats (liver, kidney, heart), fish, whole grains; good: eggs, beef, beans, milk, vegetables;
• Supplements: B-5, B-complex, multi-vitamin, multi-mineral-vitamin formulations; Royal Jelly;
• Absorption: takes place in the small intestine; about 50% of intake is absorbed;
• Like other water soluble nutrients, circulates freely in the blood;
• Improved by: folic acid aids in assimilation of B-5;
• Antagonized by: antibiotics;
• Stability: destroyed in dry heat, acid, & alkali; stable in moist heat; 20-35% lost from cooking animal foods, 46 - 78% from vegetable foods; 50% lost in refining wheat;
• Storage: highest amounts in liver, adrenal glands, brain, heart & kidneys;
• Excretion: readily excreted in urine;
• Metabolism: Co-enzyme A synthesized within cells, protein-bound & stays within cells; increased need after injury, severe illness;
• Interactions: with antibiotics;

Functions of B-5

• Component of co-enzyme A (CoA) & acyl carrier protein (ACP), vital for 70+ enzyme reactions, including central role in carbohydrate, lipid, protein, amino acid & energy metabolism;
• Necessary for formation of part of haemoglobin molecule (porphyrin);
• Needed for normal functioning of intestinal tract;
• Source or acceptor of acetate groups (CH3COO-); provides acetate for acetylcholine (neurotransmitter) & used to detoxify some drugs;
• Virtually all physiological functions & biochemical reactions in cells are affected by B-5;
• Necessary for: synthesis of bile salts, neurotransmitters & growth hormone (STH); uptake of free amino acids by cells; synthesis of fats from fatty acids; synthesis of cholesterol & adrenal steroid hormones (cortisone); tissue water balance; synthesis of red blood cells;
• Stimulates immune antibody response; stimulates intestinal absorption of nutrients;
• Vital to all energy-requiring processes in all cells;

Quantities

• Measurement: in milligrams;
• Optimum: (SONA) average ranges not yet set;
• Individual optimum must be determined individually;
• Minimum: (DRI) set at 5 mg/day; (7mg during pregnancy);
• Less than RDA: % unknown; estimate: 25% of population;
• Deficiency may result from inadequate diet; poor absorption; increased requirement; deficiencies are rarely seen, due to widespread occurrence of B-5 in foods;
• Symptoms include: physical weakness & cramps, impaired co-ordination, insomnia, depression, disrupted nerve function, anorexia, constipation, fatigue, irritability, nausea, vomiting, susceptibility to infection, lower disease resistance; slowing down of many metabolic processes; adrenal exhaustion, skin disorders, insulin sensitivity, low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia);“burning” feet; upper respiratory infections; duodenal ulcers; low stomach acid;
• Toxicity: not known; 10,000 - 20,000 mg doses cause diarrhoea;

Therapy with pantothenic acid

• Usual therapeutic dose ranges from 10 to 1,000 mg/day;
• Improves adrenal function; useful in hay fever & allergies;
• Improves stress tolerance;
• 1,000 - 2,000 mg/day relieves morning stiffness, disability & pain severity in rheumatoid arthritis (low B-5 levels in this condition); best results with vegetarians using B-5 plus Royal Jelly;
• B-5 appears to stimulate cell growth in healing process, wounds heal faster & firmer;
• May help in treatment of depression & anxiety;
• Used to overcome post-operative shock & reverse curare & isoniazid poisoning;
• Used to treat gastrointestinal tract paralysis after surgery; increases G.I. motility;
• Detoxifies acetaldehyde, a toxic product of alcohol;
• Extends life span of mice by about 20%;
• Might help prevent premature aging & wrinkles (anecdotal evidence);
• Might restore hair colour in some people (anecdotal evidence);
• 2,000 mg/day improves athletic performance, uses less oxygen, produces less lactic acid; useful in treating liver cirrhosis & marginal diabetes;
• 600 - 1,200 mg/day of pantethine, a metabolite of B-5, lowers high cholesterol (15%) & triglycerides (30%); appears to inhibit dangerous clots & irregular heartbeats;
• Pantethine may boost immune functions of macrophages & natural killer cells;
• Protects against cellular damage caused by excessive radiation;
• Calcium pantothenate stops tooth grinding (bruxism) while asleep;