| Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) | |||||
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- What is vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)?
- Important vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) facts
- Why vitamin B5 (pantothenic) acid is important
What is vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)?
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin which is required for a variety of processes in the body. Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) is a component of specific coenzymes.
Being a water-soluble vitamin means that any excess vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) that is consumed is normally excreted through the urine.
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) is required for the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. It is also required for synthesising hormones, vitamin D and red blood cells.
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Important vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) facts
- Vitamin B 5 is also known as pantothenic acid
- Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) helps the body deal with stress better by relaxing the body and reducing the stress response
- Since vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) is commonly found in many foods, deficiency is rare
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Why vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) is important
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) is a necessary vitamin to promote various process in the body and assist with various health conditions:
- Cholesterol - studies using pantethine (a derivative of pantothenic acid) have shown that it reduces high LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels
references
- Bertolini S, Donati C, Elicio N, et al. Lipoprotein changes induced by pantethine in hyperlipoproteinemic patients: adults and children. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol. 1986;24:630–637
- Grenier JF, Aprahamian M, Genot C, Detinger A. Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) efficiency on wound healing. Acta Vitaminol Enzymol, 1982;4(1-2):81-5
- Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Pantothenic acid. Dietary Reference Intakes: Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin B-12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press; 1998:357-373
- Kirschmann GJ, Kirschmann JD. Nutrition Almanac. 4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill;1996:115-118
- Miller DR, Specker BL, Ho ML, Norman EJ. Vitamin B-12 status in a macrobiotic community. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1991, Vol 53, 524-529
- Osiecki, Henry, The Nutrient Bible 2002, BioConcepts Publishing
- Walsh JH, Wyse BW, Hansen RG. Pantothenic acid content of 75 processed and cooked foods. J Am Diet Assoc 1981;78(2):140-144
- Yates AA, Schlicker SA, Suitor CW. Dietary reference intakes: The new basis for recommendations for calcium and related nutrients, B vitamins, and choline. J Am Diet Assoc 1998;98:699-706
To learn more, go to the following web sites:
- Food Standards Australia and New Zealand
- Dieticians Association of Australia
- Nutrient Reference Values (Australia)
