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Known as "the anti-stress vitamin," pantothenic acid plays a role in the production of the adrenal hormones and the formation of antibodies, aids in vitamin utilization, and helps to convert fats, carbohydrates, and proteins into energy. It is required by all cells in the body and is found in high concentrations in the organs. This vitamin is needed for proper functioning of the adrenal glands. It is also involved in the production of neurotransmitters. This vitamin produces numerous enzymes and helps maintain precise communication between the central nervous system and the brain. This vitamin is an essential element of coenzyme A, a vital body chemical involved in many necessary metabolic functions. Pantothenic acid is also a stamina enhancer and prevents certain forms of anemia. It is needed for normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and may be helpful in treating depression and anxiety.
Pantothenic acid comes in two forms: calcium pantothenate and pantethine. The former is widely used for treating ailments from stress to heartburn, while pantethine is mainly recommended for lowering blood cholesterol levels in those who do not respond to other natural treatments. Many multivitamin and vitamin B complex supplements contain pantothenic acid.
A deficiency of pantothenic acid is quite rare in humans because a large number of foods contain this vitamin (in fact, the name is derived from the Greek pantos, meaning "everywhere." Even so, a supplement may be needed to get the higher doses of pantothenic acid recommended for the treatment of specific ailments. A deficiency of pantothenic acid may cause fatigue, headache, nausea, and tingling in the hands.
SOURCES
The following foods contain pantothenic acid: beef, brewer's yeast, eggs, fresh vegetables, kidney, legumes, liver, mushrooms, nuts, port, royal jelly, saltwater fish, torula yeast, whole rye flour, and whole wheat.
SPECIFIC USES OF PANTOTHENIC ACID
Manage stress from psychological strain, migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome, and smoking and alcohol cessation. The body relies on pantothenic acid to help the adrenal glands produce stress hormones during times of both psychological and physical strain. This vitamin supplement also has been used to treat depression and anxiety. This property makes it potentially useful for dealing with emotional upset, depression, anxiety, migraines, chronic fatigue, and withdrawal from alcohol or tobacco. It is commonly taken as part of a vitamin B complex supplement for these purposes. In addition, pantothenic acid may reduce the occurrence of migraines by participating in the production of the brain chemical serotonin; some research indicates that serotonin is present at abnormally low levels in migraine sufferers.
Combat heartburn. The discomforts of heartburn may be soothed by pantothenic acid, particularly when it is combined with two other B vitamins - choline and thiamin.
Reduce certain allergy symptoms and asthmatic reactions. Allergy sufferers may find pantothenic acid beneficial for controlling the nasal congestion that can develop during an allergic reaction. The vitamin is a smart choice during allergy season, when it can be safely taken along with more conventional remedies. An asthmatic response initiated by seasonal allergies may similarly improve with pantothenic acid.
Control cholesterol levels. The body converts pantothenic acid into a chemical called pantethine. When taken as a supplement, pantethine appears to lower the amount of lipids in the blood. A person with high cholesterol may see their level of total of cholesterol - including LDL ("bad") cholesterol - while at the same time increasing HDL ("good") cholesterol levels.
Pantothenic Acid increases stamina and can prevent certain forms of anemia. It keeps the gastrointestinal tract functioning properly.
The body produces coenzyme A from three different components: adenosine triphosphate, cysteine, and vitamin B-5. Adenosine triphosplate and cysteine are naturally produced within the body through various glands. They are always plentiful so long as the body's not terribly malnourished. Vitamin B-5 is the only one that must be supplied from outside the body through one's diet. When there is enough B-5 available in the diet, the deficiency in coenzyme A is eliminated. As a result, a person's fatty acids get broken down helping to reduce the release of oil in the skin. Without the over releasing of oil, acne is reduced. If fats that should have been broken down are not, they are re-circulated into the bloodstream and become deposited in the sebaceous glands (sweat glands) and secreted as oil. Oil is fat only in liquid form. Because teenagers have the highest hormone production rate, they are also the group with the highest amounts of acne.
Note: Pantothenic acid has also been found to be useful for a number of other disorders. For information on these additional ailments, see the Dosage Recommendations Chart for Pantothenic Acid.
SUPPLEMENTAL FORMS
Tablet. Softgel. Liquid. Capsule.
DOSAGES & RECOMMENDED INTAKE
There is no formal RDA for pantothenic acid, but experts recommend getting 4 to 7 mg a day to maintain normal body function. The amount present in a multivitamin or vitamin B-complex supplement is more than adequate in most cases. To take Pantothenic Acid as a daily supplement, read and follow the product label directions. For treating other conditions, it is best to consult your health care provider for use.
PANTOTHENIC DEFICIENCY
If You Get Too Little: A deficiency of pantothenic acid in adults is virtually non-existent, largely because it is present in so many foods. A pantothenic acid deficiency can cause fatigue, headache, nausea, and tingling in the hands.
PANTOTHENIC OVERDOSE & TOXICITY
If You Get Too Much: Doses of 10 grams (10,000 mg) or more a day can result in diarrhea. No other adverse reactions to high doses have been reported.
GENERAL DOSAGE INFORMATION
Special Tip: Many multi-vitamin and B-complex vitamin products contain pantothenic acid; check the label for the dose.
For Psychological or Physical Stress: Take a daily vitamin B complex supplement that includes 100 mg of pantothenic acid. Many so-called adrenal support combinations designed to help the body cope with stress contain approximately this amount of pantothenic acid.
For Chronic Heartburn: Take 1,000 mg of pantothenic acid twice a day along with 500 mg thiamin once a day and 500 mg choline three times a day. If this regimen fails to improve your heartburn after a month, discontinue it.
For Allergies: Take 500 mg of pantothenic acid three times a day.
For High Cholesterol: Take 300 mg of pantethine three times a day.
Be sure to check out the Dosage Recommendations Chart below for Pantothenic Acid, which lists therapeutic dosages for specific ailments at a glance.
AILMENTS DOSAGE Allergies 500 mg 3 times a day Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 500 mg twice a day Heartburn 1,000 mg twice a day High Cholesterol 300 mg 3 times a day Stress 100 mg a day.
GUIDELINES FOR USE
Take pantothenic acid with meals.
GENERAL INTERACTIONS & CAUTIONS
There are no known drug or nutrient interactions associated with pantothenic acid.
Cautions: Read supplement labels carefully to avoid mistakenly purchasing a pantethine product, which is almost solely used for treating high cholesterol. It is not interchangeable with pantothenic acid products.
VITAMIN B-5 / PANTOTHENIC ACID SUPPLEMENTS & PRODUCTS
B-Stress Vitamin Complex With Siberian Eleuthero, Nature's Way, 100 Caps
If you are looking for herbal stress relief, you will find B-Stress Vitamin Complex with Siberian Eleuthero, formerly Siberian Ginseng Root, to be just what you are looking for.
Pantothine (Coenzyme A Precursor), Highly Active Form of Vitamin B-5, NOW Foods, 300 mg, 60 Softgels
This highly absorbable and biologically active form of pantothenic acid (Vitamin B-5) is fundamental in the metabolism of HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol), and plays a key role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids.
Pantothenic Acid, 100% Natural Vitamin B-5, Nature's Way, 250 mg, 100 Caps
Nature's Way Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin B5, is 100% natural calcium pantothenate. It contains no artificial ingredients or preservatives.
Vitamin B-50 Complex With B-2 Coenzyme, 100% Natural, Nature's Way, 330 mg, 100 Caps
B Vitamins, as found in a Vitamin B Complex, are precursors of coenzymes involved in the conversion of cellular energy, manufacture of hormones and proteins, and repair and maintenance of nerve structures.
Vitamin B-100 Complex With B-2 Coenzyme, 100% Natural, Nature's Way, 631 mg, 100 Caps
B Vitamins, as found in a Vitamin B Complex, are precursors of coenzymes involved in the conversion of cellular energy, manufacture of hormones and proteins, and repair and maintenance of nerve structures.
Herbal Remedies: Pantothenic Acid / Vitamin B-5 Information
Herbal Remedies: Pantothenic Acid / Vitamin B-5 Supplements & Products
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